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The Four Lakes Task Force is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization managed and operated by lake residents and industry experts. It serves as a "Delegated Authority" for Midland and Gladwin counties to administer and oversee the maintenance and operations of the four dams and lakes, so the lake communities can enjoy the water long into the future.
OUR GOALS
The Four Lakes Task Force is engaged with public officials, and has three main goals.
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Ensure lake levels are sustainable for the community for future generations.
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Repair dams to ensure safe operations and maintain compliance with state safety and federal requirements.
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Improve certainty on restoration time and costs
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Our plan
recovery phase
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feasibility study & design phase
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restoration phase
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History
1924 ~ The four dams and lakes were constructed to generate hydro-electric power.
September 2018 ~ The formal work of Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) was set in motion when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) revoked the power generation license from Edenville Dam. This began the process by a group of volunteers from each of the Lake Associations (later to formally become the Four Lakes Task Force, a Michigan non-profit and IRS 501(c)(3) organization) to ensure long-term viability of the four lakes.
May 2019 ~ Following numerous public hearings and completion of a lake level study, Midland Circuit Court Judge Stephan Carras (also sitting on special assignment for the Gladwin Circuit Court), signed the Lake Level Order under Part 307 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (MCL 324.30701 et seq) (“Part 307”). This established normal or legal lake levels for Wixom, Sanford, Smallwood and Secord lakes, the Four Lakes Special Assessment District (SAD), and recognized the authority for FLTF, as the County Delegated Authority, to acquire, repair and then operate the four dams on behalf of Midland and Gladwin counties.
December 2020 ~ FLTF granted a motion to acquire the dams through condemnation (AKA eminent domain).
September 2018 ~ The formal work of Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) was set in motion when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) revoked the power generation license from Edenville Dam. This began the process by a group of volunteers from each of the Lake Associations (later to formally become the Four Lakes Task Force, a Michigan non-profit and IRS 501(c)(3) organization) to ensure long-term viability of the four lakes.
May 2019 ~ Following numerous public hearings and completion of a lake level study, Midland Circuit Court Judge Stephan Carras (also sitting on special assignment for the Gladwin Circuit Court), signed the Lake Level Order under Part 307 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (MCL 324.30701 et seq) (“Part 307”). This established normal or legal lake levels for Wixom, Sanford, Smallwood and Secord lakes, the Four Lakes Special Assessment District (SAD), and recognized the authority for FLTF, as the County Delegated Authority, to acquire, repair and then operate the four dams on behalf of Midland and Gladwin counties.
December 2020 ~ FLTF granted a motion to acquire the dams through condemnation (AKA eminent domain).
Community Partners
We work collaboratively with the following community organizations that support our mission. Look for our logo on FLTF-affiliated websites and social media pages.
governance
The dams and power generation facilities and operations are governed by the following state and federal regulatory bodies:
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
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Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
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