HONESDALE, PA — At print time, a long-awaited conclusion to negotiations allowing Wayne County’s acquisition of the historic Hankins Dam was in its final stages.

Resolution was expected at a once-recessed hearing of the Wayne County Court, where the Wayne Commissioners and state officials have been negotiating since the summer of 2018.

Commissioners anticipated a positive outcome to the negotiations September 26 when they tentatively approved the execution of “all documents necessary to secure the preservation of the Hankins Dam and its acreage for the benefit of the public subject to the statutory requirements and approval of a Consent Order and Agreement by PA Fish and Boat Commission [which owns the property] and the PA Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] and the county of Wayne.”

Commissioner Joe Adams, who has been a spokesperson, said the process was all but complete. This allowed the commissioners to prepare the authorizing document in preparation for the October 3 resumption of the court hearing.

The commissioners have been actively supporting preservation of the historic laid-stone dam since the DEP announced its demolition, prompting a court injunction to halt demolition for negotiations. Their efforts, including a petition drive, led to the a commendation from the Upper Delaware Council this spring.

The commissioners are considering various recreational uses of the 75-acrea property as well as retaining a pool behind the already breached dam for dry-hydrant water supply in fire-fighting.