We've reached the final steps in acquiring the permit for Sanford Dam. The next steps are to get approval of the stream mitigation plan from EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy). We responded to comments received during the public comment period and submitted them to EGLE.
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We are likely to receive the permit in September based on EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) final review. 

Four Lakes Task Force received construction bids from two qualified contractors in late April, as communicated in May ("Sanford Construction Bids Higher than Expected").
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We believe the bids were higher than expected and therefore both have now been rejected. After the bids, FLTF requested qualifications from construction managers to consult in pre-bidding tasks, including repackaging the work into smaller divisions and perhaps performing construction management. 

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Water Resources Division
(WRD), has posted the following notice to the MiEnviro Portal home page. To make comments
and view documents please click here.
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A public hearing will occur on July 5, 2023, at 6:00 PM via webinar. You can register here.

FLTF has made significant progress on Sanford and Edenville permitting to the point it is likely Sanford Dam will go to public comment for permitting in May. Edenville may take a little longer, however, FLTF will have a project to upgrade the embankments and add a cutoff wall this year, with a plan for a total restoration bid by the end of this year.  The FLTF Webinar from April 26, 2023 provided a detailed status update. 

Last week FLTF received the construction bids for Sanford Dam from two out-of-state construction companies, the bids were higher than expected.

The momentum on dam reconstruction has been positive these last several weeks. Check out our Construction Newsletter for greater detail about Secord and Smallwood dams, which have been issued construction permits and are being rebuilt.

Smallwood Dam
Despite some weather delays, work continues at the Smallwood Dam site. Most recently, Fisher Contracting installed a silt fence (sediment control device used on construction sites to protect water quality) for the left embankment, constructed a lay yard to temporarily store tools, materials, equipment and vehicles, and installed several culverts (pictured right).

FLTF expects to receive the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) permit for the Smallwood Dam project this week. Once we receive the permit, it means that final construction to restore the dam can take place. EGLE received comments from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency during its review process. FLTF will continue to work with EGLE throughout the construction process to ensure the project is completed per the permit requirements.