Midland, Michigan – In late November, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers arrived in Midland for three days of planning with the local sponsors of a new General Investigation (GI) study. Called a “charrette” by the organization, this planning meeting kicks off a planned three-year study, which is the second study to focus on the Tittabawassee River Watershed and its flooding. This GI study is focused on managing flood risks to life and safety, reducing damages to property and determining the cost benefit and feasibility of potential projects.

The charrette was hosted by the three local sponsors: the Midland Business Alliance (MBA), County of Midland and City of Midland.

“The Corps of Engineers Detroit District brought together an extensive project team from across the country for this charrette, including diverse disciplines that range from economists and planners to hydraulic and geotechnical engineers,” said Eric Ellis, biologist and senior project manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District.

The Corps of Engineers also invited representatives from a variety of federal and state agencies. Those attending included the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Major Aurora DeAngelis-Caban, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District, opened the charrette, followed by comments from Maureen Donker, City of Midland mayor; Tony Stamas, MBA president and CEO; Lee Ann Keller and J.W. Fisher, co-chairs of the MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure; Bill G. Schuette, Michigan state representative for the 95^th District; and Quentin Groce, regional director for U.S. Senator Gary Peters.

During a session where the facilitators asked local sponsors and stakeholders to talk about the effects of flooding, presentations were made by Brad Kaye, City of Midland; Jon Myers, Midland County Road Commission; Mark Bone, Midland County Board of Commissioners; Joelle Jacobs, Midland County Emergency Management; Holly Miller, United Way; Mike Erickson, MyMichigan Health; Jeff Stoutenburg, Dow; Kristin Stehouwer, Northwood University; Rich Bowman, the Nature Conservancy; Jenn Kirts, Chippewa Nature Center; and Elan Lipschitz, Little Forks Conservancy. Many more local organizations and city and county officials and staff were represented over the three days.

“The Corps of Engineers gathered our ideas, our history, goals and needs, flood risks, steps we’ve already taken, future opportunities and more,” said Bridgette Gransden, Midland County administrator/controller. “They also have given us homework – to gather historical flood data, including the damages, costs and economic impact of previous floods.”

Various exercises and breakout sessions were led by a career facilitator to gather information from the local participants, the agencies and the broader Corps of Engineers team. The charrette also included a bus tour of Midland, Bullock Creek and the M-20 areas to highlight the locations and severity of past flooding. This included showing the extensive flooding area when the Tittabawassee floodwaters have pushed into local waterways.

“We were pleased by the number of state and local stakeholders who were able to join the federal partners in this meeting,” said Kaye, Midland’s city manager. “And the Corps of Engineers told us that they were very impressed by the significant representation and involvement of our local attendees.”

“You can feel the desire to make positive changes. Local participation was off the charts and as good as it gets,” Ellis said at the conclusion of the charrette. “We have a path forward based on local experience and input and look forward to working as a team through the next steps in the planning process.”

“This was just the starting point. The GI study’s process is an interesting one,” said Stamas. “There will be several opportunities along the way for community input. Right now, the Corps of Engineers is collecting data from us. The local organizations are working to deliver that information. We are excited about this process and partnering with the Detroit District.”

About the MBA Advisory Committee on Infrastructure

Formed in 2021 by the Midland Business Alliance Board of Directors, the advisory committee’s structure is made up of MBA board members, members of the community at large, an MBA staff representative, and ex officio (non-voting) representatives from the Four Lakes Task Force, the County of Midland and the City of Midland. The committee was charged with determining how best to work with local, state and federal partners to address longstanding issues that impact citizens, the business community and economic development. The first task was to address legacy flooding challenges and related sanitary sewer issues. In addition to communicating with stakeholders and collaborators, the committee also reports back regularly to the MBA Board of Directors. Visit www.MBAmi.org/FloodStudy for more information.

About the Midland Business Alliance

The Midland Business Alliance (MBA) represents more than 3,000 businesses as Midland's business hub. The goal of the MBA is to support the attraction, development and growth of businesses throughout Midland by providing an integrated portfolio of tools and resources. Additionally, the MBA manages the Midland Area Farmers Market and Midland Blooms. Visit www.MBAmi.org for more information.