Letter from Dave Kepler
More than four years have passed since the dam failures. Four Lakes Task Force has secured engineering designs and construction contracts to repair, improve and restore all four dams, as well as over $240 million dollars to assist with recovery (following the dam failures) and restoration (design and repairs of the dams and lake levels).
In February 2024 the financing plan was approved by Gladwin and Midland counties along with a lake level capital improvement special assessment roll. However, progress on the final phase of restoration is delayed as Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) and Midland and Gladwin counties work to resolve a legal challenge to the lake level special assessment rolls, and two federal lawsuits filed by the Heron Cove Association (HCA).
May 2021, a year after the dam failures, FLTF published a feasibility study and updated its restoration plan. That study concluded that there was a feasible path forward, and likely the only path was to restore and repair the dams to protect and preserve property values and the ecosystems of the lakes.
This September 2024 Restoration Plan Progress Report is an update to our previous restoration plan and is intended to document the progress made and the current status of the restoration, and potential risks going forward. It goes without saying, that this is a large and comprehensive public works project, and the report is intended to properly frame and document the path forward for our key stakeholders.
This plan will restore the life we knew before the May 2020 disaster and make it even better. Most of the community is in full support of the plan that will have more robust dams, safer communities and a more sustainable future for our economy and our environment – for everyone and for all four lakes.
On behalf of the Four Lake Task Force and the lake associations, I thank you for your continued support and efforts to get through this year and restart the construction on the four dams.
Best Regards
Dave Kepler
President and Lake Property Owner
Four Lakes Task Force
In February 2024 the financing plan was approved by Gladwin and Midland counties along with a lake level capital improvement special assessment roll. However, progress on the final phase of restoration is delayed as Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) and Midland and Gladwin counties work to resolve a legal challenge to the lake level special assessment rolls, and two federal lawsuits filed by the Heron Cove Association (HCA).
May 2021, a year after the dam failures, FLTF published a feasibility study and updated its restoration plan. That study concluded that there was a feasible path forward, and likely the only path was to restore and repair the dams to protect and preserve property values and the ecosystems of the lakes.
This September 2024 Restoration Plan Progress Report is an update to our previous restoration plan and is intended to document the progress made and the current status of the restoration, and potential risks going forward. It goes without saying, that this is a large and comprehensive public works project, and the report is intended to properly frame and document the path forward for our key stakeholders.
This plan will restore the life we knew before the May 2020 disaster and make it even better. Most of the community is in full support of the plan that will have more robust dams, safer communities and a more sustainable future for our economy and our environment – for everyone and for all four lakes.
On behalf of the Four Lake Task Force and the lake associations, I thank you for your continued support and efforts to get through this year and restart the construction on the four dams.
Best Regards
Dave Kepler
President and Lake Property Owner
Four Lakes Task Force
Acronyms
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ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed
Ayres: Ayres Associates BMP: best management practice Boyce: Boyce Hydro Power CMU: Central Michigan University CFS: cubic feet per second DSSMP: dam safety surveillance and monitoring program EAP: emergency action plan EGLE: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy ER: environmental report ESA: federal Endangered Species Act EWP: Emergency Watershed Protection (program) FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FLTF: Four Lakes Task Force GEI: GEI Consultants of Michigan HCA: Heron Cove Association HCP: Habitat Conservation Plan IDF: inflow design flood ITP: Incidental Take Permit LEDPA: least environmentally damaging practicable alternative LID: low-impact development LLO: low-level outlet MDHHS: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services MDNR: Michigan Department of Natural Resources MDSP: Model Dam Safety Program NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act NFIP: National Flood Insurance Program NHPA: National Historic Preservation Act NOC: Notice of Coverage NRCS: Natural Resources Conservation Services NREPA: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act |
O&M: operations and maintenance
OHWM: ordinary high-water mark OPCC: opinion of probable construction costs Part 301: Inland Lakes and Streams Part 303: Wetlands Part 307: State of Michigan inland lakes of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act 451 of 1994 PER: preliminary engineering report PMF: probable maximum flood PMP: probable maximum precipitation Protection Act PSC: Public Sector Consultants PSP: public safety plan QBS: qualifications-based selection RCAP: Rural Communities Assistance Program RCC: roller compacted concrete RD: rural development SAD: Four Lakes Special Assessment District SCADA: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition SESC: soil erosion and sedimentation control SEV: state equalized value SFHA: special flood hazard area SGI: Spicer Group, Inc. TCSMP: Temporary Construction Surveillance and Monitoring Plan T&E: threatened and endangered (species) USACE: United States Army Corps of Engineers USBR: United States Bureau of Reclamation USDA: United States Department of Agriculture USGS: United States Geographical Survey WLA: Wixom Lake Association WLIB: Wixom Lake Improvement Board |
Appendix
Figures
Figure 1: Four Lakes Watershed. 14
Figure 2 Sanford Dam Outflow Hydrographs. 16
Figure 3: Summary of Existing and Required Spillway Discharge Capacity. 17
Figure 4: Summary of Wetlands Impacts. 32
Figure 5: Funding Sources. 37
Figure 6: Capital Improvement Computation of Costs. 44
Figure 7: Total Annual Payment for Operations & Maintenance and Capital Assessments. 45
Figure 8: Annual Assessment Payment Per Parcel 46
Figure 9: Risk Analysis. 48
Figure 10: Current Risk Analysis. 49
Figure 2 Sanford Dam Outflow Hydrographs. 16
Figure 3: Summary of Existing and Required Spillway Discharge Capacity. 17
Figure 4: Summary of Wetlands Impacts. 32
Figure 5: Funding Sources. 37
Figure 6: Capital Improvement Computation of Costs. 44
Figure 7: Total Annual Payment for Operations & Maintenance and Capital Assessments. 45
Figure 8: Annual Assessment Payment Per Parcel 46
Figure 9: Risk Analysis. 48
Figure 10: Current Risk Analysis. 49
Elements hidden
Outline & Appendix
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CHapter 1: EXecutive Summary
1b. 2022 Four Lakes Survey Report by Public Sector Consultants 1c. Decommissioning Report for Secord, Smallwood, Edenville and Sanford Dams by The Essex Partnership 1c. Desktop Study - Restoration of Hydroelectric Generation at Secord, Smallwood, Edenville and Sanford Dams by The Essex Partnership Chapter 3: FUTURE USE AND FUNCTION OF THE LAKES
3a. Sanford Lake - Economic Analysis Report by Public Sector Consultants 3a. Four Lakes Task Force Demographic Assessment – March 2024 by Public Sector Consultants 3a. Fishing Economic Activity by Streamside Ecological Services Covenant Deed Flowage License Recorded Order Vesting Title - Gladwin County Recorded Order Vesting Title - Midland County Chapter 5: Restoration Design and Construction
No appendices Chapter 7: Operations Excellence
No appendices Chapter 9: Special Assessment District, Property Benefits and Affordability Analysis
No appendices Chapter 11: CONCLUSION
No appendices |
Chapter 2: Introduction and BAckground
Chapter 4: FLOOD MANAGEMENT
4a. 1980 Study on Flood Control of the Tittabawassee River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 4a. 1998 Amended Order for the Sanford Dam Project by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 4b. Independent Forensic Investigation of Dam Failures - February 20221 – by the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force 4d. Summary of Flood Routing Downstream of Sanford Dam Memo - April 2022 by GEI Public Hearing on Sanford Dam – July 2023 by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Chapter 6: Environmental Mitigation Plans
Chapter 8: Funding and Financing
Chapter 10: Risks and Conclusion
No appendices |
