North Michigan News

State Representative Cam Cavitt, a Republican from Cheboygan, expressed his appreciation for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) decision to allocate $750,000 from its 2024 dam appropriation budget for the repair of the Cornwall Flooding dam. The announcement was made during a Pigeon River Country Association Planning Commission meeting earlier this month. The Cornwall Flooding dam is located near the Cornwall Creek Flooding, a picturesque lake in the Pigeon River Country State Forest in Cheboygan County.

In his statement, Rep. Cavitt acknowledged the efforts of the community in advocating for the preservation of the dam: "While I’m grateful the DNR is embracing a newfound desire to save Cornwall Flooding, we wouldn’t be here without the thousands of community advocates that stood up and rejected original plans to scrap the dam entirely. Cornwall Flooding is unlike any other body of water in Michigan. Where else can you see a remote, beautiful lake combined with the wide range of unique wildlife that frequents the area? Cornwall Flooding attracts people from all over to fish, hike, see the moose, and enjoy the great outdoors."

The presence of Cornwall Flooding not only enhances the natural beauty of the area but also significantly contributes to the local economy. State officials estimate that anglers and other visitors to the remote lake contribute over $100,000 annually to the local economy.

The decision to allocate funds for the repair of the Cornwall Flooding dam marks a reversal of the DNR's previous plan to draw down the Cornwall Creek Flooding and remove the dam due to safety concerns. Initially, the DNR deemed the dam's repair cost to be too high. However, the public's strong support for the preservation of the dam led to a change in the DNR's stance.

The Save Cornwall initiative, which played a crucial role in advocating for the dam's repair, has already secured additional funding. This includes a $350,000 pledge from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in July 2023, a $210,000 legislative supplemental line item in 2019, and $50,000 from a 2019 DNR Aquatic Habitat grant. Despite these contributions, an additional $200,000 is still needed before the project can commence. The Save Cornwall group has set a June deadline to complete fundraising for the repair project.

Rep. Cavitt commended the Cornwall Flooding community for their remarkable efforts in challenging the state agency's original decision: "What the Cornwall Flooding community has been able to accomplish over the last year is nothing short of remarkable. They took on a state agency that was ready to sign the Cornwall Flooding death certificate. This community advocated so successfully that the DNR didn’t just stall or drag their feet; they reversed course altogether. More so, they got the DNR to pay a large portion of the repair expense."

The commitment from the DNR to allocate funds for the repair of the Cornwall Flooding dam comes as a significant victory for the community. The repair project will not only ensure the safety of the dam but also preserve the natural beauty and economic benefits associated with Cornwall Flooding. With continued support and fundraising efforts, the Cornwall Flooding dam repair project is expected to begin in the near future.