Seeking Public Comment on the Sanford Dam rehabilitation in Michigan
FEMA is soliciting written comments from the public including agencies, organizations, and individuals regarding the proposed funding of a portion of the Sanford Dam Rehabilitation in Sanford, Michigan.
Date: September 22, 2025 - October 7, 2025
Important Date
Event Details
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received a request for funding under the Fiscal Year 2024 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) program from the Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF), Midland County, Michigan.
Pursuant to Executive Orders 11988 (Floodplain Management) and 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), and in accordance with 44 CFR Part 9, FEMA hereby provides notice of its intent to fund a project located within the floodplain. This notice also serves to help fulfill requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). FEMA intends to provide funding to support the proposed improvements associated with the rehabilitation of Sanford Dam, Sanford, Midland County, Michigan.
The project involves the rehabilitation of Sanford Dam, including reconstruction of earthen embankments, demolition, and replacement of the primary Tainter gate spillways with deeper hydraulic crest gates, stabilization and selective demolition of the powerhouse, construction of a gated low-level outlet, and construction of a new passive overflow auxiliary spillway.
FEMA’s HHPD funding is expected to support the construction of the 650-foot-wide auxiliary spillway concrete-armored embankment to repair the damaged right earthen embankment. Specifically, FEMA funds will be applied to the Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC) armor on the auxiliary spillway, a critical safety feature for controlling high water flows, reducing the risk of dam breach, and enhancing overall structural stability. Rehabilitation began in late 2023 and is anticipated to continue through 2026.
Funding will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws and regulations, including floodplain standards, permit conditions, and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
FEMA, State, and applicant considered potential alternatives including the No Action alternative. However, the no action alternative is not practicable, as the auxiliary spillway components are essential for safe management of extreme rainfall events, preventing dam breach, diverting surplus flows, and dissipating energy. FEMA determined the proposed improvements will reduce dam failure risk and potential flood hazards and proposes to fund the applicable actions. Decommissioning or altering the system would cause major changes to the landscape and land use in the area and would not be supported by the local and regional community.
This will serve as final public notice regarding the above-described action to be funded by the Fiscal Year 2024 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant opportunity. Interested persons may submit comments, questions, or request a map of this specific project by writing to:
FEMA Region 5
Attention: Duane Castaldi
Regional Environmental Officer
536 S. Clark Street, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60605
Email: fema-r5-environmental@fema.dhs.gov
Phone: 312-408-5549
Comments must be received within 15 days from the date of this notice.