The village of Whispering Pines might pursue legal action against Whispering Woods Golf Club over the Cardinal Lake Dam, which is eroding and may eventually fail.

There are Whispering Pines residents downstream from the dam and the Village Council wants to take steps to ensure the safety of themselves and their property.

"We have citizens downstream who are obviously at risk should the dam fail," Councilman Bob Zschoche said.

The Village Council has asked its lawyer to advise members of its legal options.

Should the dam fail, it would likely cause another dam to fail and would eventually spill water over Niagra-Carthage Road.

The village owns the road over the dam -- which has been closed -- but the golf club owns the actual dam. It has asked the village to take possession of the dam, but the village has refused until it is structurally sound.

There are several dam issues facing the council right now. The council also has asked the planning and zoning department to look into the possibility of putting a road over the Blue Dam, which would then provide access to two new subdivisions without spilling traffic onto Pine Ridge Drive.

The council voted to hold a public hearing next month about the option.

Furthermore, the council said that the state has informed the village that the currently rusting drain pipes of the Spring Valley Dam will need repair soon.

The town fears that the state will require the repairs immediately following its next inspection in February. With the repairs will come a requirement for an emergency spillway, which will have to be built were the village maintenance building now stands.

Matthew Moriarty may be reached at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty@thepilot.com.