The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force will meet online Thursday to hear a presentation by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials Peer Review Team evaluation of the Michigan’s Dam Safety Program.

Three members of the Peer Review Team – William Bingham, a dam safety consultant; Robert Dalton, a retired Illinois dam safety manager; and Kenneth Smith, assistant director with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources – will provide an overview of the group’s findings.

To join the meeting, which begins at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, go to Michigan.gov/MIDamSafetyTaskForce and click on the Microsoft Teams link. Those who don’t have access to the Internet can join the meeting by phone by dialing (248) 509-0316 and using the conference ID 747 152 760 #.

Individuals needing language assistance or accommodations for effective participation at the meeting should contact Holly Simons at SimonsH@Michigan.gov or 517-284-5567 in advance of the meeting to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation, and/or other assistance.

The ASDSO was asked to perform a review of the program following the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams in mid-Michigan in May. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the review as well as an investigation into the causes of the dam failures.

The Task Force is expected to release its findings early next year and its deliberations will complement other in-depth internal and external reviews.

The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force was formed to evaluate the statutory structure, budget, and program design of the Water Resources Division Dam Safety Program, the adequacy of Michigan’s dam safety standards and the level of investment needed in Michigan’s dam infrastructure. Its work will culminate in a report to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the legislature summarizing its findings and recommending regulatory, financial and programmatic improvements to help ensure Michigan dams are appropriately maintained, operated, and overseen to protect Michigan residents and aquatic resources.

The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force website includes the latest information, a list of Task Force members, previous meeting presentations and future meeting dates.

Thursday’s meeting is being held in accordance with Gov. Whitmer’s and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendations designed to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).