Snyder Calls for Stricter Lead Standards than Feds in Flint Plan

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LANSING, MI – Gov. Rick Snyder on Monday unveiled a 75-point action plan addressing the Flint water crisis that encompasses a range of goals ranging from infrastructure to children’s education and health to economic development.

The approximately 100,000 residents of the city have been using filtered and bottled water since last fall when the state government acknowledged the public health crisis. The standards for for lead in water are more stringent than those currently established in federal rules, Snyder said in the document released Monday.

“We are committed to addressing immediate concerns and finding long-term solutions to improve the quality of life for the people of Flint,” Snyder said in a news release. He continued:

Multiple departments across state government, local officials, and community leaders and residents were involved in developing the plan, which includes short-, intermediate- and long-term goals, some of which are already being addressed.

Key tasks proposed in the action plans include:

Health and Human Services

• Children under 6 with high blood lead levels offered professional support and case management.
• Work with Flint’s community groups to review grocery options in underserved areas and secure new options if needed.
• Add three additional Child and Adolescent Health Centers in the city.
• Place professionals trained in development and cognitive screening throughout the county.
• Mobile food distribution program meeting community needs geographically.

Water Supply and Infrastructure

• Replace drinking water faucets and fixtures in public facilities connected to the Flint water system, including schools, daycares and elder care homes.

• Support the city of Flint to identify and prioritize replacement of lead service lines and other infrastructure to ensure Flint’s water system is suitable for drinking and everyday use.
• Replace 30 lead services lines with Rowe Professional Services under Mayor Weaver’s Fast Start Program.
• Flint (and all Michigan communities) will comply with a much higher standard than existing federal Lead & Copper Rule.
• Partner with the city and county to plan for future connection to Karegnondi Water Authority.

Education

• Increase resources for Flint Community Schools and Genesee Intermediate School District to expand early education services to children up to age 3.
• Add nine school nurses to Flint Community Schools.
• Expand free breakfast program into all Flint Community Schools classrooms; partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield to facilitate salad bars at 20 additional schools.
• Provide Flint children under 6 with robust screening for additional behavioral health needs.

Jobs and Economic Development

• Complete Flint Riverfront Development Project, including removal of Hamilton Dam, by end of 2019.
• Finalize $5.5 million financing on redevelopment of Capitol Theater.
• Develop home mortgage lending/financing options for undervalued homes.
• Complete training and development for at least 500 Flint residents to achieve long-term employment by the end of 2017.

In January, Snyder signed legislation providing $28 million to immediately help families in Flint with lead testing, treatment and other emergency services. The governor has worked with the state Legislature to secure nearly $67 million as part of a total recommendation of $232 million in state resources to help provide continuing support for Flint families, according to the news release.