Letter to Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General US Army Corps of Engineers - Dingell Calls on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Independent Study on Continued Flooding in Michigan

Letter

Dear Lieutenant General Spellmon:

Over the weekend, cities across the 12th Congressional District and Southeast Michigan
experienced heavy rainfall from Ann Arbor to Dearborn and beyond that has led to severe
flooding and massive power outages. This area has seen numerous serious flood events over the
years, but this may be one of the worst. On behalf of my constituents, as well as our local and
state officials responding to this emergency, this letter requests the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to immediately conduct an independent, third-party study of the Western Wayne and
Washtenaw County communities plagued by these endless flooding events and provide specific
resiliency recommendations to Congress, as well as our communities.

The flooding has disrupted the way to life for so many communities, as well resulted in
serious damage that is still being fully assessed. We are now experiencing once-in-a-lifetime
floods on almost a yearly or biennial basis.While the state and local governments work
diligently with the federal government to provide immediate emergency services and determine
the long-term assistance required, it is clear, we need a full understanding on the watershed,
infrastructure, and other contributing factors in this area to once and for all mitigate future
flooding disasters. We need a comprehensive study that will empower our local officials with the
knowledge and expertise to ensure another flooding event of this kind doesn't happen again on
our watch--and the looming threat from climate change make this even more urgent.

In the coming days and weeks ahead, I will be working closely with these communities to
make similar requeststo investigate this enduring issue. It is my understanding the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers has current authorities under the Flood Plain Management Services Program,
as well as other possible authorities, to conduct a study of this kind and work with a local nonfederal sponsor. For too long now homes, businesses, and cities across the region have been
drowned in flood waters, had power knocked out, livelihoods upended, and major property
damage.

We need a full understanding and recommendations by experts at the federal level on
why this continues to happen so our Southeast Michigan communities can implement the proper
long-term solutions to protect lives and property in the future. Thank you in advance for your
urgent attention and consideration of this important request. I stand ready to work with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers and our state and local officials to see this request through and assist
with any additional required authorizations or appropriations needed from Congress to complete
this study.

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