Property Owners May Claim Items in Sanford Dam Debris

The Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) has received a grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to remove the debris pile at Sanford Dam, and will begin doing so in the coming weeks. FLTF will inventory recovered items that have distinguishing marks (owner’s name, registration number, etc.) and contact property owners to let them know that they can pick up their recovered item.

FLTF is asking all property owners who have or think they have personal items piled at Sanford Dam to submit a debris claim form. Residents should complete the form regardless of whether they wish to claim the item.  

A recent video of the dam shows the debris pile and can be viewed below.

Once retrieved, property will be stored at 264 W Center St, Sanford, MI 48657 in a gated, locked area that is monitored by local law enforcement. Volunteers will contact as many property owners as they can to let them know that they have a recovered item. Law enforcement will call people whose property is registered with the state and has a registration number or VIN (vehicle identification number) (i.e. trailers, boats or motors). 

Volunteers will coordinate a time with the property owner to pick up the item. 

If property owners claim large items like boats or trailers, it is their responsibility to retrieve them during the allotted pick-up time. Unclaimed items will go to the landfill. They will not be sold or given away.  
Residents are not permitted to go onto or near Sanford Dam to recover their personal property from the debris. Moving an item may cause other items to move and shift, which increases the risk of additional damage to the dam. Fisher Contracting will perform the debris removal.