Permits to fix the inadequate spillway were not being issued by the state. They were tied up in court. Boyce Hydro, owner of the failed dam, sensed the danger and ordered water levels in the lake to be lowered until the spillway could be repaired.
But Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General, had other plans... she filed a lawsuit to prevent the lowering of the lake because it might negatively impact fresh water mussels.
On May 1, Nessel demanded the levels be raised and further lowering of water levels prohibitied. The dam failed as spillways were unable to deal with the high water levels... that was 18 days after Dana made her demands.
The water is mixed with sewage and contaminants from Dow Chemical's "holding ponds" that contain cancer causing toxins from years ago. The people of Midland had their basements flood when sewage systems reversed, flooding basements with water and human waste.
Permits to fix the inadequate spillway were not being issued by the state. They were tied up in court. Boyce Hydro, owner of the failed dam, sensed the danger and ordered water levels in the lake to be lowered until the spillway could be repaired.
But Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General, had other plans... she filed a lawsuit to prevent the lowering of the lake because it might negatively impact fresh water mussels.
On May 1, Nessel demanded the levels be raised and further lowering of water levels prohibitied. The dam failed as spillways were unable to deal with the high water levels... that was 18 days after Dana made her demands.
The water is mixed with sewage and contaminants from Dow Chemical's "holding ponds" that contain cancer causing toxins from years ago. The people of Midland had their basements flood when sewage systems reversed, flooding basements with water and human waste.
Here's a good article about the dam situation in the Federalist: https://thefederalist.com/2020/06/05/michigan-regulators-prioritized-environmental-quality-over-public-safety-in-edenville-dam/