We are currently in conversations with representatives from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to schedule a public informational webinar to explain EGLE and USACE's authority and their role in downstream flood mitigation. Once we have more details we will share them. 

We're making progress on the open permitting issues shared in the January 18 webinar (part 303 - wetlands, part 301 - streams, endangered species, CLOMR).
1. A wetlands monitoring approach was developed and put in place and is currently under review as part of the permitting process.

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.