The Algal Bloom Action Team's popular Harmful Algal Bloom Research Symposium will return for its third year this January 5-6, 2023. The symposium is free and will be held entirely virtually. Tune in to hear the latest harmful algal bloom research, discuss examples of effective bloom management, and learn about the latest technologies being used to tackle this global issue. Detailed agenda https://mymlsa.org/ is the website for the Free Algal Bloom Symposium on January 5 and 6. Katherine Dwyer commented 20 days ago

FLTF awarded the contract for constructing Secord and Smallwood dams to Midland-based Fisher Contracting. Fisher was the lowest of two bidders. Eight other companies were approved through FLTF’s pre-qualification process but chose not to bid. In addition to cost and schedule, bidders were asked to provide information about health and safety performance, relevant project experience, insurance, financial capacity, and contractor integrity. The requirements were prepared in collaboration with Spicer Group, consulting engineers for the Four Lakes Level Project, based on requirements set forth in Part 307. ​ Fisher’s bid for Secord Dam was $37.2 million and $31.7 million for Smallwood Dam. These bids represent only construction costs and do not include “pull-ahead” work, or all-in project costs. Now that Fisher has been selected, we are working on final agreements, and the time and schedule estimates for the entire project. We expect to have the agreements in place for the Secord and Smallwood and total renewed estimates for all four dams in the Four Lakes system at the end of the year. An informational webinar is scheduled for January 18 to provide an update.

Intro to Lakes - MSU online Katherine Dwyer posted 20 days ago This is being offered thru Michigan Lakes and Streams, by way of MSU Extension, inexpensive and easy on line learning about lake ecology, aquatic plants, lakes and law, and community involvement. https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/introduction-to-lakes There is still time to register for Intro to Lakes Online Course topics include: Lake Ecology, Lakes and their Watersheds, Lakes and their Shorelines, Introduction to Aquatic Plants, Lakes and the Law, and Community Involvement. Each topic is explored weekly, complete schedule and syllabus is available on the course website. Registration is open now through January 8. The cost of the course is $115 per person. Special Pricing for MLSA Members: Current individual members of the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association are eligible to receive a $95 reimbursement upon successful completion of the course. Not an MLSA member? Join as an Individual Member prior to completing the course and you can also take advantage of this opportunity.

Zoom call with Kelly House from Bridge and other state Reps about Michigan's water priorities. Kelly House did the article on Consumers 13 Dams recently. Read more on the Bridge Michigan website: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/join-bridge-circle-blue-discuss-michigan-lawmakers-water-priorities

Settlement Agreement in case #U-21224. projected engineering costs in 2023 up to $3.45M reasonable and prudent. Further studies required but no specific inclusion for capital costs mandated by FERC for new spillway, splash wall, power house roof, Hardy crest roadway or new dam headquarters, if this additional funding is not already recovered in Consumers Energy Rates or received from other sources. https://mi-psc.force.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/0688y000005jZHUAA2

NEWS RELEASESCONSUMERS ENERGY TO STUDY IMPACTS OF ITS DAMS ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES Dec 19, 2022 JACKSON, Mich., Dec. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is funding an independent study during the first half of 2023 to determine the contribution of its 13 river hydro facilities to local communities near those dams across Michigan. That study will build on information gathered during community engagement meetings held in 2022 to help determine the future of its dams. "Consumers Energy is committed to being a good neighbor and working transparently as we make informed decisions to reach the best outcomes for our customers, stakeholders and the communities we serve," said Norm Kapala, vice president of generation operations at Consumers Energy. "We know our dams play significant roles in Michigan, especially in the economies of the communities near our facilities, and we share with local leaders and others the desire to quantify those impacts before developing long term strategies regarding the future of those facilities." The 30- to 40-year federal licenses to operate the dams Consumers Energy owns and operates on the Muskegon, Manistee, Grand, Kalamazoo and Au Sable rivers are set to expire beginning in 2034. Consumers Energy is considering four options for each of its 13 dams: Relicensing the river hydro dam and continue generating electricity, selling the dam to a third party, removing the dam, or replacing the dam with an alternative structure that maintains some level of reservoir. The energy provider hired Public Sector Consultants (PSC), a Lansing-based nonpartisan consulting firm that specializes in public policy research to perform the economic study. PSC has longstanding expertise in studying energy and the environment, economic research, public engagement, and group facilitation. The firm conducted the 2022 community river hydro in-person listening sessions and will build on the feedback from those meetings for this current work. PSC will begin by engaging each of the local communities to identify and review available data to ensure the studies find all contributing factors that influence the local economies around Consumers Energy's dams. They will produce individual studies for each dam to better understand the unique economic contributions – including additional data on how the hydro facilities and their associated reservoirs contribute to the recreational and tax bases of the communities -- of all 13 hydro sites. "A common theme we heard during our 27 community engagement meetings with communities and stakeholders is to know more about how much of the economic activity in the communities around our dams are associated with the hydro facilities," said Kapala. "We have listened to the community members and we are working on this economic contribution study to answer those questions to better understand those impacts." Consumers Energy makes decisions based on the Triple Bottom Line that ensures benefits for people, the planet and Michigan's prosperity. Factors Consumers Energy considers in determining the future for its dams include regulatory compliance, safety, community impacts, operating costs and environmental impacts. For more information about the process to determine the future of Consumers Energy's river hydro facilities, visit ConsumersEnergy.com/HydroFuture Consumers Energy is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Media Contacts: Terry DeDoes, 517-243-9908 or Brian Wheeler, 517-740-1545 Thanks for posting this Katherine. This is great. Hopefully they will see the economic impact removing our dam would have on the area. I also hope PSC shares their results with the association. It'd be good to make sure they cover everything. Mike Roth commented a month ago

Consumers wants you to believe their dams aren't worth keeping. That's not actually true. They could be of great benefit to all of Michigan if they were properly retrofitted. They just don't want to spend their Billions to do that. They may not produce sufficient power currently but the dams could, if Consumers profit motives were aligned with societal goals. Michigan & MPSC need to move to performance based regulation like other states and make Consumers accountable. https://www.9and10news.com/2022/12/19/consumers-energy-ponders-removing-all-hydroelectric-dams If you notice, which I do, every time Consumer's Energy talks about the Dams . . they start off saying that they are not worth maintenance. I want to know why they are not maintained in the first place. It is like you buy a "new" home and NEVER have to maintain it and when it needs something, you just tear it down. This speaks to their neglect and not being prudent with funds generated over the years. Patricia Miner commented a month ago

Palisades to try again to reopen Katherine Dwyer posted a month ago https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2022/12/owner-of-nuclear-power-plant-along-lake-michigan-to-try-again-at-restarting.html

Court pulls Conowingo Dam's 50-year license, rules it didn't include pollution conditions. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/court-pulls-conowingo-dams-50-year-license-rules-it-didnt-include-pollution-conditions/article_b109152a-8122-11ed-a5ab-fb11cd9e3030.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Solar and wind aren't the only renewable energy sources addressed in the IEA forecast. Also mentioned is hydropower, though the agency says that environmental permitting and construction obstacles will slow that source's growth; indeed, the IEA expects hydro to fall from 16.2% of worldwide power capacity today to 14.1% in 2027, largely because it will be outrun by solar and wind. By 2027, the IEA forecasts, solar, wind and hydropower will account for 50.7% of global generating capacity, while coal and gas will fall to 40%. Nuclear, which by some measures counts as "green" energy because it does not produce greenhouse gases, will remain stable but declining at 9.4%, down from about 9.9% today. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/column-solar-wind-energy-killing-130042166.html

Even W/O hydro grid shortages Katherine Dwyer posted a month ago The electricity grid is being pushed to the breaking point and California, parts of the Midwest and parts of the South Central United States are at “high risk” for energy shortfalls.The grid is being challenged as it goes through an unprecedented transformation from fossil fuel based energy to renewable sources of energy.NERC officials emphasized how important it is for grid operators to be very conservative in retiring generation, particularly in regions of the country where the system is at its max already.

In the Michigan Tax Tribunal, Consumers is suing numerous taxing entities in Tuscola County as part of a wider effort to win back $8.5 million in taxes paid on its wind farms. The utility, which made $7 billion last year, says it has a duty to pursue the money for the benefit of ratepayers. The fight has been waging for years in some form between renewable energy companies and local governments in four counties. But whereas DTE Energy and other companies settled this year for amounts that don’t threaten local budgets, Consumers is pressing forward. Beyond schools, the case threatens to yank money from townships, libraries, the sheriff’s office and Tuscola County programs which fund veterans services and senior meals. “This is a bunch of bull** if you ask me,” said Steve Linzer, supervisor in Akron Township, which is also being sued by Consumers for about $1.2 million. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/12/in-michigans-thumb-wind-farm-tax-clawback-would-bankrupt-schools.html

Environmentalists and Dam Operators, at War for Years, Start Making Peace Facing a climate crisis, environmental groups and industry agree to work together to bolster hydropower while reducing harm from dams. WASHINGTON — The industry that operates America’s hydroelectric dams and several environmental groups announced an unusual agreement Tuesday to work together to get more clean energy from hydropower while reducing the environmental harm from dams, in a sign that the threat of climate change is spurring both sides to rethink their decades-long battle over a large but contentious source of renewable power. The United States generated about 7 percent of its electricity last year from hydropower, mainly from large dams built decades ago, such as the Hoover Dam, which uses flowing water from the Colorado River to power turbines. But while these facilities don’t emit planet-warming carbon dioxide, the dams themselves have often proved ecologically devastating, choking off America’s once-wild rivers and killing fish populations. So, over the past 50 years, conservation groups have rallied to block any large new dams from being built, while proposals to upgrade older hydropower facilities or construct new water-powered energy-storage projects have often been bogged down in lengthy regulatory disputes over environmental safeguards. The new agreement signals a desire to de-escalate this long-running war. In a joint statement, industry groups and environmentalists said they would collaborate on a set of specific policy measures that could help generate more renewable electricity from dams already in place, while retrofitting many of the nation’s 90,000 existing dams to be safer and less ecologically damaging. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/climate/environmentalists-hydropower-dams.html?unlocked_article_code=TOvsXOHFSfRGOkO6JhZnj3Yks0yWt2bvn1kO4l18yrQaePyRW8mThoZD8XLxb2rXe6x-QrZHSV-Dtv6H7PNJgmgf1_No-wLy_sepOn6cQ2ilU9o7LmP-61R-g4-s2jufG9gy8kzErX6LPPvU2-NLOfLc2rb_nNCEaSjC5KAxMVdYCPU12dIJURwojK1LCAj_UzoLdA1Wn8sdw187MbNLzXpIMCq58RR8DF1Jh3ucg0fytWJ3DEXViYNHQVlT-4_R1lUjZXdOj9LRm-nbFch8Za2gaA9cxYIV4wx9nsbjAiU5ORNqTY6lsEnmSjEju6Sa3mMUArart5E0SnS_xyCMyXhDgCmQhA8T0idV&smid=em- you may or may not be able to open this article. Katherine Dwyer commented a month ago this is very good news. thank you for sharing Kathy! Tim Miller commented a month ago For those that say the dam and carp removal is hurting Lake Allegan fishing, I say they're wrong. Here's a link to just some of the fish I caught this past year. Smallmouth bass sizes have increased an inch or two each year since the carp removal started. https://photos.app.goo.gl/tCf6PyoA6eMrHhnM7 Hope the link works. Mike Roth commented a month ago mike this is great. I. don't think that people are saying carp removal is hurting fishing but rather creating more weeds Tim Miller commented a month ago Agree Tim, the article was saying dams hurt fishing and yes i agree there's definitely more weeds in the shallow sections up river. Thanks for all you do! Mike Roth commented a month ago ThanksMike Tim Miller commented a month ago I too have noticed an increase in weeds.It's the first summer I have ever had to reverse my engine to eliminate them from my prop. But it's a small price to pay when I see the HUGE grins on my grandkids faces when they fight and bring in a whale of a Bass or a tasty mammoth Bluegill! Good riddance Carp! Keep the Dam forever!!!!! Robert Lawson commented a month ago

https://michiganlcv.org/legislation/sb-565-transformational-water-infrastructure-investments/ SB 565 is a proposal for a record $4.7 billion investment in our state’s aging water infrastructure, state parks, roads and bridges, and more. The bill includes provisions for lead pipeline replacement, wastewater and stormwater system upgrades, drinking water infrastructure improvements, dam safety and infrastructure improvements, PFAS remediation, Filter First hydration stations in K-12 schools and childcare centers, investments in state and local parks, and more. Our state currently has a $20 billion need for water infrastructure upgrades and improvements over the next 10 years and a $250 million need to invest in our state parks. By utilizing federal COVID relief funds, SB 565 starts the process of updating the state’s aging water and parks infrastructure at a low cost to taxpayers. Dam risk reduction revolving loan fund 650,000,000 Drinking water program 400,000,000 Emergency dam safety action fund 15,000,000 Emergency dam safety grant program 15,000,000 Not enough for Consumers but there is an awareness that $20B is needed for water infrastructure upgrades and improvements over the next 10 years and a $250M need to invest in our state parks, which dovetails with recent articles about the recreation boom that’s currently occurring in Michigan primarily in boating and fishing. Goes on to say SB 565 starts the process of updating the state’s aging water and parks infrastructure at a low cost to taxpayers. Is water infrastructure related to preserving 13 dams that support overwhelming recreational and economic benefits to the state??? Let's ask Aric Nesbitt? I hope we can save and improve the Calkins Dam and save Lake Allegan through SB 565. This a good possibility which will have positive results. Patricia Miner commented a month ago

https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/12/natural-gas-costs-forecasted-to-skyrocket-this-winter.html Zach Anderson, top operating officer for Cadillac-based Wolverine Power Coooperative quoted in this article tells us why we need to continue operating hydro. "....natural gas peaking power plants are running more like cyclical plants, carrying more of the everday baseload as nuclear and coal burning units (like Palisades Nuclear plant that supplied 800 KW for 800,000 homes and Consumers Campbell Coal plant being decommissioned earlier than projected in 2025) go offline elsewhere in the state. Anderson said the concern is the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable resources is hampered by a few factors....new technologies that can carry electricity baseloads when renewable sources such as wind and solar aren't generating. For us to integrate more and more renewables, you need something that's there backing it up to manage it. Natural gas peakers can do that and do that well today, but we need more of those OR SOME OTHER TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN BE FAST RAMPING AND RESPONSIVE TO MANAGE DAILY CHANGES IN WEATHER OR JUST THE NATURAL RHYTHM OF LIFE. I WOULD SAY TO CONSUMERS, THE SOLUTION TO THIS "OTHER TECHNOLOGY" THAT IS FAST RAMPING AND RESPONSIVE ARE THE 13 DAMS YOU OPERATE! Get with the Governor, reassess your plans to remove dams, retrofit and become a part of a solution to be that other technology and contribute to the Michigan Healthy Climate plan thats aiming to be 60% carbon neutral by 2030. "From a timing aspect it's going to take us the better part of a decade or two to really transition through all this" To Consumers and Govenor Whitmer; there is still time to make this happen! I love his ideas and comments. I hope Consumers listen as well Patricia Miner commented a month ago yes, comments we can use to bolster our cause and make our case. Dams can be an asset and not a nuisance like the DNR claims so long as they aren't crumbling. the hydro conversation has evolved significantly these past few years. It's time for Michigan to get on board. Katherine Dwyer commented a month ago

boating and fishing booming in Michigan Katherine Dwyer posted 2 months ago : https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigans-outdoor-recreation-boom-becoming-business-boom

Latest News A look into ways to improve, expand hydropower to reach U.S. energy goals The Biden administration previously announced funding towards hydropower growth, with ambitious goals to achieve renewable energy. NBC’s Maura Barrett visited the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project and speaks on their success generating power from a pre-existing dam. You have to UNMUTE after clicking on the link. https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/a-look-into-ways-to-improve-expand-hydropower-to-reach-u-s-energy-goals-149044293990

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/05/06/dams-nonpowered-hydropower-energy/ Thank you Katherine Dwyer for your recent post. It helps us concerned with the Calkins Dam and Lake Allegan. Amazing article. Patricia Miner commented 2 months ago https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/michigans-outdoor-recreation-boom-becoming-business-boom Katherine Dwyer commented 2 months ago

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO PLOW THIS WINTER I AM ON 118TH OFF ALLEGAN DAM RD HOPING TO GET SOMEONE WHO IS ALREADY DOING OUR ROAD.. ANY SUGGESTIONS Comment deletedNo longer exists commented 3 months ago COULD I GET A NUMBER PLEASE THANK YOU Lisa Osborn commented 2 months ago Comment deletedNo longer exists commented 2 months ago Troy just send me a text that he is retiring from snowplowing this year. Maryann Adams commented 2 months ago were looking for someone to plow our driveway too off Allegan Dam Road on Lake Drive. please e-mail me @ grammydonnarn@yahoo.com. thank-you! Donna Preisler commented 2 months ago Sorry I don't have a current snowplower to recommend. Check out the ones recommended on our site. Patricia Miner commented 2 months ago Patricia Miner- where do I find the recommended ones Lisa Osborn commented 2 months ago Ryan Nash ONLY SNOW PLOWS FOR INDIAN SHORES DUE TO EQUIPMENT IUES. PLEASE DO NOT CALLHIM IF YOUDO NOT LIVE IN INDIAN SHORES Tim Miller commented 2 months ago You can try Matt Bower at 269 491-1254 he is starting a snow plowing business. I have him for our home. David Thompson commented 2 months ago Pat Miner- Matt Bower would like to get Emma Lane, if you want to get someone. David Thompson commented 2 months ago

I have read carefully the latest position paper. It is very comprehensive and I believe it is exactly what we need and hopefully the people of influence will take it to heart. Thank you to all who have had a hand in putting this together. Thank you to the Lake Allegan Association and those devoting their time for detailing a comprehensive Position Paper on CE and the Calkins Dam. It is very informative, especially for someone who recently purchased on the lake. I believe this should be promulgated throughout the community perhaps via the Allegan County News? Evan Anderson commented 2 months ago