Five years of Recovery and progress

There are many historical dates we all remember in our lives. For this community, May 19th, 2020, is one of them. I certainly can recall exactly where I was when the Edenville Dam failed, and the days and weeks after when many of us were simply focused on finding a dry, stable place to live. Now, five years later, while most have reestablished their lives, some still face a financial and emotional burden from the flooding.

In a news flash one week after the failure, FLTF stated its dedication to “returning these lakes to a recreational and natural resource gem of the region.” We also shared our commitment to public safety and that we would not seek an assessment during the recovery period. After the dam failures, Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) focused first on recovery, protection of property and stabilization of the environment. In fact, approximately $60 million was spent on recovery and planning to restore the lakes without assessing the lake communities.

There were significant displacements to almost everyone’s lives on May 19, 2020. FLTF is working with local nonprofits and will provide more information in the near future on programs to provide economic support to people who are retired and economically challenged to pay assessments on homesteaded property. Further, there is proposed legislation in the State of Michigan legislature to renew the Special Assessment District Tax Deferral program for low-income retired seniors with homesteaded property. The latest update on how that legislation is progressing can be found here.

With the special assessments approved and all the appeals exhausted, we have a clear restoration path for all four dams and lakes. They are all permitted to be restored, we have a financing plan, and yes, we are continuing to work to find funds to lower the costs. The community is excited, and we know from their feedback, impatient to get the lakes back.
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Four Lakes Task Force is thankful for all those who have volunteered and supported us, and we are proud of the Four Lakes communities' determination over these last five years to recapture our futures and quality of life.

Sincerely,
Dave Kepler, President
Four Lakes Task Force