Anna Liz Nichols February 03, 2021 - 3:55 PM
LANSING, Mich. - A group responsible for offering new safety measures after two Michigan dams failed last summer destroying 150 houses and causing over $200 million damage delayed sending the governor its final recommendations, which include increased monitoring of dams and other risk reduction measures.
The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force has been working on recommendations that would require Legislature approval to reduce the threat of dam failures after two dams failed in Midland County last May, forcing the evacuation of 10,000 people.
Among the 86 recommendations from the task force is that owners of all high and significant hazard dams would be required to provide surveillance and monitoring plans to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. They also would be required to have independent reviews performed at least every 10 years. Inspections could be required annually for high ha
Credit steve carmody / Michigan Radio
It will be a few more days before a task force set up to study Michigan’s dam safety regulations will finish its final report.
The delay is because of concerns about the “tone” of the document.
The Dam Safety Task Force was created after last May’s failures of the Edenville and Sanford dams. The twin dam failures contributed to a 500-year flood event which caused tens of millions of dollars in damage. Rising floodwaters forced thousands in Midland and Gladwin counties to evacuate their homes.
The task force has come up with a wide spectrum of recommendations for modifying and updating Michigan’s regulations for publicly and privately owned dams. The recommendations would expand the number of dams regulated by the state.
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Members of the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force will discuss their recommendations and report to the Governor at their final meeting Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The final report, developed by the Task Force over five months of volunteer work, will be posted to the Task Force’s webpage. It will include comments received at a public online meeting Jan. 27 on draft recommendations in areas including regulation, legislation, compliance, permitting, inspections, the state’s Dam Safety Program and ownership responsibilities.
Wednesday’s public online meeting begins at 2 p.m. You can join using the available meeting link or by phone: Dial 646-558-8656, enter the webinar ID 941 1418 3229 and then the passcode 414650.
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Dam Safety Task Force to discuss final report
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, AssendelftN@Michigan.gov, 517-388-3135
Members of the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force will discuss their recommendations and report to the Governor at their final meeting Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The final report, developed by the Task Force over five months of volunteer work, will be posted to the Task Force’s webpage. It will include comments received at a public online meeting Jan. 27 on draft recommendations in areas including regulation, legislation, compliance, permitting, inspections, the state s Dam Safety Program and ownership responsibilities.
Wednesday’s public online meeting begins at 2 p.m. You can join using the available meeting link or by phone: Dial 646-558-8656, enter the webinar ID 941 1418 3229 and then the passcode 414650.
The public will have an opportunity during an online meeting Wednesday, Jan. 27, to provide feedback on draft recommendations before the Michigan Dam Safety Tas