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This week, Max McDonald at The Gladwin County Record published an article that shares facts and context around FLTF and its funding efforts. Here are a few excerpts:
"When bi-partisan legislation to fund dam safety measures was announced back in May we began to see a glimmer of the 'light at the end of the tunnel.' Cliché? Yes, but also substantive relief for those who have lived through the nightmare that was 2020. Lawmakers proposed spending $500 million to repair and replace the dams along the Tittabawassee River system in Gladwin and Midland counties along with putting measures in place to ensure dam safety statewide.... Fisher Contracting Company will be installing a steel sheet pile cofferdam upstream of the Edenville Dam. The cofferdam is being installed to allow renovation of the spillway in preparation for returning the river to its historic path. Driving of sheet piling will begin in early August and continue through the month. Nearby neighbors will notice sounds of construction from this activity. The work is planned to take place Monday through Friday during business hours, and Saturdays may need to be utilized if the schedule requires.
Uncontrolled growing vegetation, especially as it relates to invasive species and large mono-species tree growth on the bottomlands is a concern of many lake owners and Four Lakes Task Force. Bottomland vegetation is part of the environmental restoration plan that FLTF is implementing. However, we have determined that it is not feasible to implement a Four Lakes-wide program this year for these reasons:
Several property owners have reached out to FLTF about a solicitation from attorneys that propose to legally challenge the Special Assessment District (SAD) to include other properties downstream. The claim asserts that the Special Assessment District boundaries should be extended to include properties that do not have access to the Four Lakes. In addition, FLTF has also received information that others within the lake level SAD boundaries plan to legally challenge the properties in the Special Assessment District. Property owners have asked our view on this effort.
A variety of recent correspondence further demonstrates support for FLTF's path forward that was laid out in the Restoration Plan released in May. Check out the links below for more details.
FLTF Responds to Liesl Clark Correspondence FERC Surrenders Hydropower License EGLE Acknowledges County Ownership of Dams Michigan Delegation Supports FLTF The FLTF Restoration Plan identifies four critical issues that could impact our ability to restore the lakes. One is to have support from and collaboration with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) on the Environmental Restoration Plan.
In a letter dated June 29, 2021, EGLE Director Liesl Clark thanked FLTF for its cooperative engagement with the Agency and affirmed its support of our path forward. In its Restoration Plan, FLTF identifies four critical issues that are vital to successfully restore the lakes. The issues and our current progress are listed below.
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©2024 | Four Lakes Task Force is a US 501 (c)(3) public charity, EIN 27-4698447. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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