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Gogebic County commissioners say DNR should pay Phase 1 engineering after Black River Dam failure
Summary
After a DNR presentation that placed repair costs at roughly $3 million, the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners voted March 12 to request that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources fund Phase 1 engineering for the Black River Dam, citing DNR negligence over stop logs.
On March 12, 2025, the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to request that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources fund Phase 1 engineering for the Black River Dam after hearing a DNR presentation on the dam failure. David Caroffino and DNR engineer Eric Cadeau gave a history of the structure and a timeline of events leading to the failure.
Why it matters: The DNR told the board that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) requires an asset management plan and a full permit before repairs; the DNR estimated the cost to repair and refill the lake at about $3 million. The DNR also said it has one year from the dam-failure date to file the complete permit, and that the agency’s Bureau of Resources has placed the dam on its May 14 meeting agenda.
During discussion, Chairman Dan Siirila sharply faulted the DNR, saying that “had the DNR not neglected to initially replace the stop logs, they would have been able to avoid the current situation.” The board then adopted a motion, moved by Commissioner Lorenson and supported by Commissioner Matonich, directing that the DNR fund Phase 1 engineering on the Black River Dam “based on their negligence in replacing the stop logs.” The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
The DNR presenters provided technical background and a timeline but, as recorded in the minutes, did not supply a final funding plan for repairs. The board’s motion is a formal expression of the commissioners’ position; the minutes do not record the county committing local funds toward repairs. The DNR’s next internal agenda item related to the dam is scheduled for May 14, and EGLE’s permitting timeline remains in effect.
The county also recorded public comment earlier in the meeting from a resident who said Bureau of Indian Affairs materials on a separate land-acquisition matter did not include estimates of tax revenue loss; that comment was unrelated to the dam discussion. The board did not take additional action on the Black River Dam beyond the funding request reported above.
