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 The plan, involving several state agencies, is meant to address
water infrastructure shortcomings and the health of children who
have tested for high lead levels in their blood, expand support in
Flint schools and boost economic development for the city, Governor
Rick Snyder said.
The crisis has attracted national attention and led to calls for
Snyder to resign due to the state's handling of the situation. Last
week, several Democratic lawmakers criticized Snyder during
testimony he provided at a hearing about the situation at Flint, a
mostly black city of 100,000 northwest of Detroit.
Key parts of Michigan's plan include professional support from state
health officials for children under 6 with high levels of lead in
their blood, opening three additional child health centers in the
city, and replacing drinking water faucets and fixtures in public
facilities, including schools, daycare centers and elder care homes,
Snyder's office said.
It also includes continued replacement of lead service lines in the
city's water system; increased resources for the schools, including
the addition of nine school nurses; expansion of a free breakfast
program; screening for children's behavioral needs; development of
home mortgage financing options for undervalued homes; and training
for at least 500 residents to achieve long-term employment by the
end of 2017.
Under the direction of a state-appointed emergency manager, Flint
switched water supplies to the Flint River from Detroit's system in
2014, to save money.
The corrosive river water leached lead, a toxic substance that can
damage the nervous system, from the city's water pipes. The city
switched back to the Detroit system last October.
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The crisis has led to several lawsuits in state and federal courts,
and federal and state investigations.
On Monday, Snyder said the state was committed to addressing both
short- and long-term needs of the city's residents.
“Many departments have been involved in addressing the immediate
crisis in whatever way they could," he said in a statement. "At the
same time, they have been working on longer-term plans."
State officials said the plan can be modified as new needs arise.
(Reporting by Ben Klayman; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
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