LANSING – After 20 years of sustained reconstruction efforts along the Flint River, a 16-mile dike system is scheduled to be completed next year, thanks to a $1.84 million Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The dike system protects in excess of 11,000 acres encompassing 340 households, 72 farms and six businesses in four Saginaw County townships – Spaulding, Albee, Taymouth and Bridgeport. 

The existing dike system consists of “push up” farm dikes at the river’s edge, but the dikes are old and susceptible to erosion and failure when water is high.  Twenty years ago residents and local officials began efforts to remove the push up dikes and replace them with engineered dikes that are less vulnerable to erosion and provide enhanced flood protection.  Half the system has been reconstructed over the years; this grant will allow for the project’s long-awaited completion.

“The award of this grant is tremendous news for the residents and business owners along the Flint River,” said Capt. Kriste Etue, commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD).  “Thanks to the hard work of local officials, as well as EMHSD staff, relief is on the way and further damages will be prevented.”

Residents of the flood-prone area established a special assessment district in the early 1980s to fund maintenance of the dikes and reconstruction of the system over time.  The Flint River Erosion Control Board has been successful in pulling together federal, state and local funding sources for reconstruction, and has partnered with the EMHSD and Michigan Hazard Mitigation Coordinating Council (MHMCC) on three occasions since the late 1990s to fund the reconstruction of various sections of the dike system.

 
Flint River Erosion Control Project to be completed with Funding Assistance                          

This latest effort is the culmination of over five years of work by the Board and the EMHSD to develop the project, conduct the federally required benefit/cost and environmental analyses, obtain the necessary project approvals and secure funding.  A federal and state required archeological reconnaissance operation temporarily delayed approval and implementation of the project in 2005 until issues related to the possible presence of artifacts could be addressed.

Homeowners, farmers and business owners will contribute the local share of the project, which is $565,000.  The Flint River Erosion Control Board intends to start work immediately.  Completion is slated for September 2007.