(Source: MIRS.news, Published 05/13/23) The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Friday it plans to take another look at the future of a hazardous northern Michigan dam that environmental officials say is too dangerous to keep up, but would likely dry up a popular fishing hole and kayaking area if it were removed.
The DNR is now planning to figure out precisely what it will take to fix the Cornwall Creek Flooding Dam and how much it will cost. If there's a way to save it using federal money, for example, the DNR would rather do that. However, if the dam, which is in "poor condition,” were to fail, it's feared it would flood out local homeowners.
Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) introduced HB 4380, which would provide funding to repair the Cheboygan County dam. He and 16 GOP House members also wrote a letter this week urging the DNR to conduct studies on the ramifications of removing the Cornwall Creek Flooding Dam.
Initially, when the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) recommended the DNR take action to improve the safety of the dam, the DNR decided fixing the dam was too expensive and agreed to get rid of it. After community uproar, which included a letter from Cavitt and 16 other legislators, the DNR agreed to reconsider.
Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) said the dam, and the body of water flooding creates, has been a major attraction for both locals and tourists who wish to camp, fish, hike, kayak and canoe.
“Over the past several decades, Cornwall Creek Flooding has attracted so many locals and visitors across the state,” Borton said. “This pristine body of water in the heart of the Pigeon River State Forest has served as one of our region’s most beloved and cherished attractions since 1966. Cornwall Creek Flooding is one of Northern Michigan’s most accessible, yet remote, lakes."
Cavitt said anglers and other visitors contribute approximately $100,000 annually to the rural economy through local shops, gas stations and diners, and he has “received an outpour of support to repair the Cornwall Creek Flooding dam from locals in Cheboygan County, as well as folks throughout my entire district and across the state."
In his letter to Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Shannon Lott, Cavitt said the decision to remove the dam has been unpopular with constituents.
He added that by demolishing the dam, the DNR could be violating a portion of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act that prohibits the diminishment of an inland lake without a permit, which he said by definition includes the Cornwall flooding created by the dam.
Cavitt ended by requesting that Lott conduct both an official mussel study and a wetland study at the dam site. He said the dam’s removal could hurt endangered mussel species, like the eastern pond mussel, slippershell or the wavy rayed lamp mussel, along with impacting other wetland species through changing water levels and sedimentation.
The letter was signed by Cavitt and Borton, along with Reps. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs), Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix), Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), Timothy Beson (R-Bay City), Jaime Greene (R-Richmond), Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville), Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Odessa), Curt Vanderwall (R-Ludington), Gregory Alexander (R-Carsonville), Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers), Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock), James DeSana (R-Carleton), Tom Kunse (R-Clare), John Roth (R-Interlochen) and Matt Maddock (R-Milford).
