October 9, 2003

 

 

Ms. Anita Grapentien

Organization of Woodland Lake

P.O. Box 617

Brighton, Michigan  48116

 

Dear Ms. Grapentien:

 

Recently you provided the Dam Safety Program with notification regarding repairs to the Woodland Lake Dam and the drawdown of Woodland Lake.  We appreciate the proactive effort taken by the Organization of Woodland Lake toward keeping the dam in a safe condition.  Please note that the Woodland Lake Dam is regulated under Part 315, Dam Safety, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (Part 315).  Section 31509 of Part 315 requires permits to repair a dam.  Part 315 gives the following definition of repair:

 

“Repair” means to substantially restore a dam to its original condition and includes only such restoration as may directly affect the structural integrity of the dam.

 

Given the extent of concrete deterioration present at the dam, and the necessity of adding steel reinforcement, the work currently being conducted on the spillway walls is considered a repair. 

 

Under Part 315, an application for a permit for the repair, alteration, removal, or abandonment of a dam shall be accompanied by a fee of $200.  In addition to the completed permit application, an application for a permit to repair or alter a dam shall include both of the following:

 

a)     A description of the proposed work, including the volumes of materials to be dredged or filled.

 

b)     Engineering plans and specifications for the proposed work.

 

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) shall grant or deny a permit within 60 days after the submission of a complete application, or within 120 days after the submission of a complete application if a public hearing is held.  Part 315 allows us to issue a repair permit after 20 days if a public hearing is not requested. 

 

When immediate action is necessary to protect the structural integrity of a dam, the DEQ may issue a permit before the expiration of the 20-day period.  Considering the