Claim Debris from
​the Sanford Dam 

Free of Charge

Pick Up Items When Convenient

Pickup Location: 264 W Center St, Sanford, MI 48657

How to Claim Property from SANFORD DAM DEBRIS

1. Fill out the below form in detail.
2. We will inventory recovered items that have distinguishing marks (owner's name, registration numbers, etc.). We will not recover or store items that do not have any means of identifying them unless they're unusual such as kayaks or propane tanks.
3. Items will be stored at 264 W Center St, Sanford, MI 48657 in a gated, locked area monitored by the sheriff's department.
4. Volunteers will contact as many property owners as they can to let them know that they have a recovered item. Law enforcement will call people whose property is registered with the state and has a registration number or VIN (vehicle identification number) (i.e. trailers, boats or motors).
5. We will work with owners of stored items to schedule a time and date to pick up the item. You will have approximately a one-week time period to pick up your item.
6. If you claim a large item like a boat or kayak, it is up to you to get it home. Fisher Contracting will remove it from the water, but it is the property owner's responsibility to transfer it from the storage location.
7. Unclaimed items will go to the landfill. They will not be sold or given away.

View aerial footage of Sanford Dam debris by watching local vlogger, Jordan Mowbray's latest update.

 

 

Want to help?

We need volunteers to help categorize, sort and label recovered items from the Sanford Dam debris and distribute them to their proper owners. Volunteers can sign up for a shift on any of the following days: October 22-23, October 26-30, November 2-6 and November 9-13

• Salvage Operations
  • ​Look at the salvaged items to determine what will be saved for eventual recovery by property owners and what will go to landfill
  • Log items and take photos
• Contact Property Owners
  • Schedule pick up times with property owners
• Item Recovery
  • Register property owners during pickup
  • Help locate items in storage yard

Volunteers will mostly work in the staging area at the former dam parking lot at 264 W Center St, Sanford, MI 48657. 

I Want to Help

FAQs

Claimed Items
What if I don't want my personal property that is in the debris pile?
If you don't want an item that you know is in the debris pile please still inform us it is there by filling out the form above. This will save us time and make the debris removal process more efficient. 

What if I'm missing an item and don't know if it's in the debris pile, but I want it?
​It will be difficult for us to identify unknown items. If it's possible that the item is there, please fill out the above form and we will contact you if the item is there. A detailed description and pictures of the item will help. 
​
How will I know if you found my property?
Law enforcement will call any people whose property is registered with the state and has a registration number or VIN (vehicle identification number) (i.e. trailers, boats or motors). Volunteers will contact owners of non-registered, but identifiable items.

What will be done with claimed items?
Property owners can pick items up during a specified period of time. While the item waits for pickup, it will be stored in a locked, gated area monitored by the sheriff's department. 

What if someone claims something that doesn't belong to them?
We expect everyone to respect their neighbors during this process and be honest about only claiming their personal property. Being as detailed as possible in your item description and including photos of the item in the form above will help ensure that items go to their proper owner.

Is there a minimum value of items to be claimed?
No.

Unclaimed Items
Can I take things that are unclaimed?
No. We will not be selling the debris either. Unclaimed items will go to the landfill.
​
Why isn't FLTF selling unclaimed items to put the money towards costs?
Since the debris is all personal property of lake property owners, it would be inappropriate to profit from the flood damage/debris. 
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Debris Removal Efforts
When will debris removal begin for other areas?
As this time, we do not have a time frame but we will inform the public when we have more information.

​What if there's debris on my property?
At this time we are only removing debris that is piled in front of Sanford Dam.

Why is debris removal only happening at Sanford Dam?
The NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) approved funding to remove debris around Sanford Dam. This is the first debris removal project that has been approved for local or federal funds.

Misc.
If I know where my property is near or on the dam can I get it myself?
No. The dam is unstable and dangerous to be on. If you remove something and it moves something else you could risk breaching the dam.

How much does it cost for me to get my property from the debris?
It's free.