Today Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF), the Delegated Authority for restoring the four lakes and dams in Midland and Gladwin counties, announced the Schedule for suspending restoration construction work in the coming months on Secord, Smallwood, Edenville and Sanford dams, and that the start of Edenville Dam’s final phase of construction will be delayed.
On February 21, 2024, Heron Cove Association (HCA) filed a claim of appeal in Midland Circuit Court requesting that the lake level special assessments be set aside. The process for appeal could take several months. FLTF is not able to issue bonds in June as planned to finance the completion of the Four Lakes dam reconstruction final project phases. Additional unnecessary costs are now accruing that will impact the community with an uncertain outcome.
“This appeal has impacted FLTF’s plan to acquire financing in June, and it is uncertain when or if we can issue bonds required to proceed with the construction to complete the project,” said Dave Kepler, president and chairperson of Four Lakes Task Force. “While we respect peoples’ right to appeal, it is a setback and disappointing considering the progress we have made as a community to restore our lakes. The appeal puts us in a position where we are limited to use only State of Michigan grant funds and must ration the work that can take place.”
With uncertainty regarding funding for the lakes’ restoration, no dam can be fully restored unless this issue of the appeal is resolved. Certain items of the project now underway must be completed on each of the dams with the remaining approximately $100 million of available State of Michigan funds to ensure dam safety requirements are met.
The Edenville embankment upgrades, auxiliary spillways on Secord and Smallwood, and certain phases of construction on the east side of the Sanford Dam will be finished. The Edenville restoration construction final phase, currently awaiting a final permit, will not start as planned. The restoration projects on the other dams will be halted once the current phase of work is completed.
“We hope to have clarity before September on funding for the capital improvements and operations and maintenance of the dams,” Kepler said. “With that, we can move forward. Without it, we are on hold for the foreseeable future on if and when the lakes will be restored.”
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