Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today passed two provisions authored by Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) that would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to repair, replace or rehabilitate the Hamilton Dam in Flint and repair drainage of the Cass River in Tuscola County.

Without these Kildee provisions, which are part of the Water Resources Development Act, the Army Corps of Engineers would not be able to do these projects.

These provisions would pave the way for federal funds to be provided for these Kildee initiatives.  Congressman Kildee has already submitted formal requests to the House Appropriations Committee to fund these projects.

“The future of the Hamilton Dam and the Cass River is a top priority. That is why I am working to authorize projects to protect these landmarks,” Congressman Kildee said. “These projects would help prevent flooding and erosion so we can preserve our environment and strengthen the local economy.”

Specifically, the Congressman’s first provision allows the Army Corps of Engineers to repair, rehabilitate or replace the Hamilton Dam at the University of Michigan - Flint campus. A study conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers in 2000 recommended that the dam be replaced.

Congressman Kildee has declared this project as one of his top priorities since the potential for a collapse could cause loss of life and property. The possibility of this catastrophe has also impacted economic development in the region.

Congressman Kildee’s other provision calls for the second phase of a project to repair drainage in Cass River in Tuscola County to curb flooding and erosion. This project, known as the Moore Drain Full Petition Project (MDFPP), would also revegetate the area and implement erosion control structures. When the MDFPP is completed, erosion inputs into the Cass River will be reduced by two to five tons per acre per year.  

Past land use practices have accelerated erosion in the Cass River, which has caused a loss of drainage capacity and impeded agriculture and recreational use of undeveloped land in the Cass River watershed.      

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