Argo Dam should be removed, not repaired

I am a member of the National Academy of Engineering and an advisor to Departments in the Federal Government on the use of cost-benefit methods for choosing among alternative resource allocations. I read the article on the Argo Dam in the Oct. 10 AnnArbor.com print edition and was shocked on learning of the irrationality of the city staff.

I don't understand how the city can consider spending taxpayer money on the alternative of repairing the dam at an initial cost of $1 million plus continued, long term maintenance costs just for the benefit of a few high school rowers, and not consider the alternative of removing the dam for a one-time cost of $1 million (the same as repairing the dam alternative), some of which might be paid for by grants and which would provide long-term environmental benefits for all Ann Arborites.

In the parlance of Decision Theory (which I have taught at the university), removing the dam alternative dominates the dam repair alternative on all dimensions, especially since there are other rowing facilities for the high school students. One would hope that the Park Advisory Commission and the City Council would make a rational decision in allocating taxpayer funds and not be influenced by a small rowing lobby. Removing the dam would be the recommended alternative of any cost-benefit analysis of this decision problem and is the rational path for the PAC and council to pursue. We should expect more from our elected officials.

Seth Bonder Ann Arbor