LANSING, MI-- On the same day governor Rick Snyder issued a state of emergency for Marquette County due to frozen water and sewer lines, state Representative Scott Dianda introduced a bill to further help U.P. communities deal with the crisis.
The Calumet Democrat’s bill would designate $10 million in grants to communities in counties that have declared local states of emergency.
Dianda says local municipalities have gone well over budget hiring contractors to open problem spots in pipes with welding equipment. He says frozen fire hydrants also pose a serious risk to public safety.
Several U.P. counties have declared local states of emergency but have not sought a disaster declaration from the governor.