As Michigan lawmakers and county commissioners try to get an emergency declared over Great Lakes coastal erosion, Congressman Fred Upton has been looking into what he can do. He tells WSJM News he met Tuesday with representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and was told the water level on Lake Michigan is expected to break its record in the coming months. So, did the Army Corps tell him they can do anything about it?
“Not really,” Upton said. “I mean, this is Mother Nature in a pretty big way. They are very active in trying to make sure that they can expedite permits, particularly for communities that may have to deal with water intake pipes and that type of thing. We’re looking at more dredging that can be provided to help restore some of our beaches that may be gone.”
Upton says he’s pursuing dredging funds for the coming year, noting the appropriation hasn’t been made yet. He’s encouraging the Trump administration to seek more funding for the Army Corps.
