Ever since the Wildlands Conservancy made a presentation in June to South Whitehall commissioners advocating removal of Wehr's Dam, residents have been speaking at meetings and rallying support for preserving the structure.

At the Sept. 17 meeting, Lori Wehr Young, whose great-grandfather ran Wehr's Mill, reported 2,000 signatures have now been obtained from individuals wanting the dam to remain standing.

She expressed frustration commissioners have offered no response on the matter.

"We never get an answer," Young said. "We never see the Wildlands. We're going to keep coming to every meeting, but we feel you should set a date [for the decision]."

Her father, William Wehr, reported disappointment at not seeing any commissioners at the dam.

Wehr said he observes and talks to numerous individuals, including fishermen, people out for recreation, and others interested in seeing the dam, which is the subject of so much discussion.

Wehr said he is still waiting for commissioners to show up and look it over.

Commissioner Dale Daubert spoke out.

"I am in favor of saving the dam," Daubert said. "I thought we authorized our engineer to look at it."

Township engineer Ralph Russek reported he has done some preliminary research on the issue.

"We are looking at the state to see what is needed to preserve the structure," Russek said. "The dam has a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection.

"They look at it when the permit has to be renewed. They have ultimate jurisdiction over it."

Resident Michael Molovinsky said it is time to take action.

"The Wildlands should be compelled to come in here this fall, make their case, and have commissioners vote on it," Molovinsky said. "We don't want this to go on one to two years. It's a 165-foot concrete wall. Just repair it."

Director of Public Works Bob Ibach said a public meeting will be set up in October for a report on the Wehr's Dam study undertaken by KCI engineering firm, funded by a grant obtained through the Wildlands Conservancy.