Michigan’s Court of Appeals upheld the imposition of special assessments on properties near Wixom, Sanford, Smallwood, and Secord Lakes to fund dam repairs and lake restoration.
The unanimous decision, issued Monday, Jan. 7, concluded that the Midland and Gladwin County Boards of Commissioners, along with the Four Lakes Task Force, acted within their legal authority under Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA).
The case involves funding for the $399.7 million project to restore water levels after dams in the region failed in May 2020. Federal and state grants covered over $200 million of the costs, leaving $217.7 million to be raised through special assessments on local property owners. The assessments are to be paid over 40 years…