Today, the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives passed an appropriation that included $200 million to support the rebuilding of the Four Lakes dams which will restore our community's future. We expect the measure to be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who announced her support of the bill yesterday. We appreciate her empathy for the community's recovery since the dam failures.
FLTF thanks our Michigan legislature especially Senate Appropriations Chairman Jim Stamas. We also thank Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Sen. Rick Outman. In the House, we are grateful to Speaker Jason Wentworth, Appropriations Chair Thomas Albert, Rep. Annette Glenn and Rep. Roger Hauck. In addition, we thank U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow who have been incredibly helpful in their efforts to obtain federal resources and funds for our recovery. We also appreciate the Lake Associations and our community for their great advocacy and engagement.
Historically, this will be one of the largest project appropriations for a community of our size. This funding will significantly lower the burden on property owners and make it possible to stay on track for construction.
In addition to the $200 million state grant for the Four Lakes restoration, $15 million was appropriated to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for department resources and expenses related to permitting, inspection, review and consultation for projects associated with flooding and dam management related to the dam failure in May 2020. The $15 million appropriation includes $3 million to match an estimated $9 million of funds from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Services Emergency Watershed Protection (NRCS EWP) program that will be used for the remaining debris removal and to address shoreline erosion that is occurring from the dam failures.
"It is an incredible accomplishment to get this type of funding for our community,” said FLTF President Dave Kepler. “The State grants and remaining federal matches will allow us to complete the Recovery Phase and fill a significant gap in the $250 million lake restoration planning estimate outlined in our May 2020 Four Lakes Restoration Plan."
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