🚨 DAM & DRAWDOWN UPDATE: PLEASE READ & BE READY
Hi everyone — I want to take a moment to update our community on some very important and unexpected developments about the dam and the planned drawdown.

 
✅ WE HAD A PERMIT — NOW EGLE IS CHANGING THE PLAN
After weeks of careful work, the Village of Holly officially received drawdown approval from EGLE. Our Village Manager, Tim, worked extremely hard to make sure the wording in the permit protected not just the Village, but also the Mill Pond and even properties further upstream in Rose Township.

But now, just days before the planned drawdown on Monday, July 21, EGLE has told us:

• The Village may no longer perform the drawdown ourselves
• EGLE plans to come do it themselves instead
• We still haven’t been told what time they’ll be coming
• This decision came with no warning — and goes against the permit that was already approved. The Village has done everything by the book, and this sudden change is frustrating, confusing, and could even result in unfair fines or penalties.

 
🧍‍♀️ WE ARE NOT THE ENEMY
We want to be very clear:
We are not fighting against EGLE. We are trying to work with them.

In fact, three members of our committee — including myself — paid to attend EGLE’s own dam safety workshop to better understand how to care for our dam and follow the law. We’ve been respectful, transparent, and cooperative every step of the way.

But now it feels like EGLE is trying to make an example out of us — not because we did something wrong, but because we dared to ask questions, request clarity, and protect our community.

 
🛶 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW
If you live on or near the Mill Pond or upstream:

• Start preparing now. If you usually pull in boats, docks, or other shoreline items during winter drawdown, this is the time to do it
• Take photos or videos of current water levels and conditions, especially if you notice any changes

We will try our best to notify everyone quickly if the drawdown begins on Monday — but at this point, the timeline is not in the Village’s hands
 
🐚 WILDLIFE SUPPORT
We’re grateful that the DNR has committed to helping during drawdown, walking the shorelines to rescue stranded wildlife — including mussels and anything else impacted. It's good to know that some help is on the way for our ecosystem.

 
🙌 THANK YOU, TIM
We want to take a moment to recognize Tim, our Village Manager. He’s gone above and beyond to:

• Fight for fair, protective permit language
• Push back on vague or harmful legal phrasing
• Work for the good of everyone impacted by this water system, not just those inside Village limits

He deserves our respect and appreciation.

 
❤️ IN CLOSING
We’re in a hard moment right now — and frankly, this feels heavy.
But we’ve come this far because we’ve stood together, and we will get through this the same way.

We will continue pushing for clear answers, fair treatment, and a path forward that works for everyone — people, wildlife, and future generations alike.

Please stay alert, stay ready, and stay connected.
We’ll keep updating as soon as we know more.

With respect,
Ragina Kakos
Mill Pond Resident & Dam Committee Public Informations Officer