Beginning the week of February 21, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) will lower the water level on the Tobacco River side of Wixom Lake 13 feet.
The Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) started 2020 with a signed purchase agreement with Boyce Hydro on December 31, 2019. As the Delegated Authority on behalf of Gladwin and Midland counties, we were in the process of securing interim financing, performing winter repairs on Edenville Dam, and scheduling special assessment hearings, with a plan to enter into the purchase of the dams in June. The May 19, 2020 rain event and dam failures changed everything.
2020 was an incredibly busy year and there is much work to do in 2021. Check out our 2020 Annual Operating Plan for an update on our progress and priorities. Today Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) provided comments related to the recommendations being consider by the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force during its public meeting. In his statement, FLTF President Dave Kepler, on behalf of Midland and Gladwin counties, noted:
Secord Township supervisor and former FLTF board member Joel Vernier sheds light on these frequently asked questions.
In accordance with Part 307, the Counties of Midland and Gladwin decided that all costs associated with the maintenance of the lake levels are to be defrayed by special assessments. The process for making, levying and collecting special assessments will be similar to the process set forth in the Michigan Drain Code of 1956, Act 40, as amended. Each property owner will receive notice of their assessment, an opportunity to participate in a public “Day of Review” and object, and have a right to appeal the final assessment following the approval of the assessment rolls by each of the county board of commissioners.
After the acquisition of the Boyce Hydro properties through eminent domain/condemnation the properties have now been officially transferred to Four Lakes Task Force.
Letter to ferc from fltf informs of property acquisition & requests regulatory transfer to state1/13/2021
Now that FLTF has acquired the properties on behalf of the counties, we notified FERC of that fact. In addition, given there are significant issues with Boyce Hydro, the hydropower licenses and FERC, FLTF informed FERC (the regulatory authority for hydropower dams) it would be economically unfeasible to recover the investments needed to keep hydro on the dams.
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