On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, I sent the following letter to Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regarding the future of Martin Dunham Reservoir.

This letter reflects the growing support for preserving this valued public resource. I will be submitting the completed petition and all public comments to key stakeholders in Albany.

Please continue to share the petition. Every signature helps demonstrate how much this reservoir means to our community. Thank you for your continued support.

Randy Simons,
Commissioner Pro Tem / Chief of Staff
New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation & Historic Preservation
June 18, 2025
Subject: Support for Restoration of Martin Dunham Reservoir

Dear Commissioner Pro Tem Simons,

I’m writing to share my concern about the future of Martin Dunham Reservoir in Grafton Lakes State Park, following the recent informational session hosted by your staff and engineers from Stantec. I strongly urge your office to pursue full restoration of the dam and the preservation of the reservoir.

Across New York State, while some obsolete dams are being removed to improve ecological function, many others with ongoing public, recreational, and ecological value are being prioritized for repair and reinvestment. Martin Dunham Reservoir clearly belongs in the latter category. It remains a vital part of the community, used for paddling, fishing, education, and wildlife habitat. Its loss would impact not just recreation, but potentially local wells, fire suppression capacity, and the broader ecology of Grafton Lakes State Park.

There is strong community support for preserving the reservoir, as evidenced at the June 11 public meeting at Tamarac High School. While it’s clear no decision has yet been made and that the timeline will be a long one, I urge you to take into account the wishes of the community when determining the reservoir’s future. This is more than a line item on a budget, it is a valued and deeply rooted public resource.

To help demonstrate this, I have launched a petition at www.savedunham.org. The number of verified signatures is growing quickly, and I will be submitting both the signatures and accompanying public comments to your office in the coming weeks. This petition offers a vital opportunity for concerned community members to make their voices heard without needing to attend a public meeting.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,
John Bulmer