26-May-2020 From the Four Lakes Task Force: STATEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF THE SANFORD, WIXOM, SMALLWOOD AND SECORD LAKES:
Recent events related to the Edenville dam failure were terrible and tragic for our community. All of us on the Four Lakes Task Force are devastated by our individual and collective losses, and our hearts go out to everyone who is impacted. The Lake Associations and Counties were in the process of acquiring the dams, with a closing expected, and then to improve the dams to survive historic floods. The acquisition has not and will not take place under the terms that were negotiated with Boyce Hydro this past winter.
We are reassessing the path forward to acquire the Boyce property and rebuild our dams and lakes. The Four Lakes Task Force is collaborating with the Counties, lake communities and regulatory authorities on the best path forward as we assess the issues and work toward recovery.
We ask people to please stay off the lake bottoms, until the dam systems and shorelines are evaluated, and it is determined what actions are needed. This is in the interest of everyone’s safety.
While we do not have all the answers, we are committed to keep you informed and will share more details in the coming weeks, as we have them. We know this is a personal and economic hardship on everyone, and we will not be pursuing funding that would result in an assessment at this time. We will seek other sources of public and private funding.
Through county resolutions and a Circuit Court Order under Part 307 of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, the legal lake levels are still in effect.
“Four Lakes Task Force, as the delegated authority of the counties, is dedicated to returning these lakes to a recreational and natural resource gem of the region,” stated Dave Kepler, president of the Four Lakes Task Force. “We will do this with a continued focus on public safety.”
EMERGENCY NOTICES:
21-May-2020 4:45pm: We want to inform all of you that after a FLTF (Four Lakes Task Force) meeting today, we were told it is HIGHLY PROBABLE that we will NOT have water back this season. The Federal government is sending experts in to examine the dams and analyze the damage and this will take time. So we would highly recommend all boats be removed. Also, if your lift is on dry land (once the drawdown is complete) and you have the cover on it, you may be more likely to have wind damage. You may want to remove the cover.
(20-May-2020 7:00 pm): It is true, the federal government has ordered that Smallwood and Secord Lakes be lowered. If the inspections pass we can get our water back, but if they do not pass, the lake may be down some time for repairs. We do not know what will be found so we recommend getting your boats out of the water. - Phil Dast, President Secord Lake Association
Below is the formal notice received from David Kepler, President of the Four Lakes Task Force.
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After speaking with John Zygaj, FERC DC authorizes Boyce to commence a drawdown for Smallwood and Secord immediately WITHOUT seeking MDEQ/EGLE permits. This is a direct Order communicated to me via telephone
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The drawdown is to be to the crest of each of the concrete spillways and is to be a controlled drawdown of approximately 8” per 24 hour period.
Greg Uhl is contacting Bob North requesting that his office issue notifications to area residents of this action ordered by FERC and to advise the public to remove any boats that may be in the reservoirs.
1-May-2020: Check out the Spring 2020 newsletter produced by PLM Lake & Land Management Corp for relevant water management information and tentative treatment schedule
To be clear, info included in the May 2020 Newsletter under ‘SAVE THE DATES for our public meetings’ section are expected programming/ talking points during the Secord Lake Association Board Meetings.
Specific to the Goose Roundup efforts, the goose egg roundup collection dates were scheduled for April 18 and May 2. However, due to the Stay at Home Order and this is not an essential service the April date has been cancelled. Hopefully the May 2 date will be able to be utilized depending on if the Executive Order is lifted or that will be cancelled also.
Thank you to Marvin Ehlert for suggesting this clarification.
REMINDER: Please pay your dues for calendar year 2020!
Dues must be paid in order to vote in the election of Directors at the August meeting
Head to the Membership page to pay online
2020 BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
Open to the Public
3rd Saturday of the Month
Saturday April 18, 2020 11:00am
CANCELLED
Due to Stay Home, Stay Safe Order
Saturday May 16, 2020 11:00am
CANCELLED
Due to Stay Home, Stay Safe Order
Saturday June 20, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
Saturday July 18, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
Saturday Aug 15, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
This will be the Annual Membership Meeting
Saturday Sept 19, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
Saturday Oct 17, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
No Public meetings November-April