State of michigan awards $15 million Grant

​The State of Michigan awarded $15 million to Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) to aid in restoration efforts of the four lakes. Funding may be used for feasibility studies and engineering design, flood and environmental studies, site readiness, and construction to restore the lake levels.

We are thrilled that the State of Michigan is supporting  to bring back the four lakes by appropriating funds for this effort and are grateful for the confidence this demonstrates in the work of FLTF to bring back the lakes. This is in addition to the $2.5 million granted in September to support in recovery, erosion control and dam stabilization. 
 
Will this grant lower the assessment amounts?
The grant significantly reduced the need for interim financing. So yes, it does reduce the estimated assessments, but not by a large enough amount to lower the overall assessment amounts in a significant way. However, it makes it possible to do critical work now to come to a final construction plan, giving us next year to seek the best long-term financing options. 
 
Will this grant eliminate the need for the operations assessment? 
No. The grant funding is designated for restoration activities only as they relate to restoring the dams. This includes engineering and design, site readiness, flood and feasibility studies and construction preparations but not operations.