A new report says Michigan should invest more money and hire more staff in its dam safety office.
The failure of two dams back in May and the resulting record flooding along the Tittabawassee River led the state to commission an analysis of Michigan’s dam safety program.
Spokesman Bill Bingham says the group found the state dam safety office staff was doing its best but lacked key tools.
“Michigan has not invested in the safety of its dams for many decades, regardless of who owns those dams,” said Bingham.
The report calls for increasing the number of dam safety employees creating a fund for dam repairs and increasing inspections of high hazard dams.
The report’s recommendations will be considered by a task force created by the governor following May’s dam failures.