IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County officials weren’t expecting an emergency declaration issued Friday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to help address the effects of flooding, Controller Brian Bousley said Monday.

Whitmer’s action — which also included Iron, Marquette, Alger, Baraga and Ontonagon counties — was “kind of a surprise,” Bousley said, adding that Pete Schlitt, the county’s emergency services director, did not request it.

On April 14, Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Gogebic and Houghton counties, citing road and bridge closures, damage to culverts and roads, overwhelmed storm water and sewer systems and deposits of silt and debris.

When the declaration was expanded Friday to a wider area of the Upper Peninsula, Whitmer had a news conference in Marquette and was joined by State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township; state Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock; and state Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette.

Despite flood warnings after a rapid melting of the snowpack, Dickinson County has yet to experience problems that would require state or federal emergency aid, Bousley said. Dickinson County Road 577 in Vulcan was closed April 15 by high waters but reopened to general traffic two days later.

A washout at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway came up for discussion at Monday’s county board meeting.

“We had a lake there,” said Commissioner John Degenaer Jr., who chairs the fair board.

After a previous washout, the county filled a gully at the east end of the property behind the barns, but the snowmelt wiped it out, Bousley said. A neighboring residence was affected by silt flowing into the yard.

It’s hoped future erosion can be prevented using geomats and a rock structure, Bousley said.

In other action, the county board:

≤ Agreed to reopen its lease with the Kiwanis Ski Club for the Pine Mountain ski jump property “for further review and possible amendment.” The county wants to better define the responsibilities of each party, Bousley said. Security is a concern as Sheriff Scott Rutter has said the annual tournament is outgrowing his department’s means. The county leases the property for a nominal $1 fee and has no intention of changing that, Bousley said.

≤ Approved $9,000 in annual dues for the Escanaba-based Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission, or CUPPAD. A year ago, the board declined to pay dues in a 4-1 vote, believing it more practical to contract for services on an as-needed basis.

≤ At a special meeting Friday, approved a Solid Waste Management Plan amendment that would allow a private landfill in Breitung Township to continue accepting waste sludge from the Resolute Forest Products pulp mill in Menominee. No one objected to Niagara Development’s request during a public hearing April 10. Final approval rests with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The change also must be endorsed by seven of the 10 local units of government. The county has contracted with CUPPAD to administer the plan amendment process.

≤ Will look to update the county’s animal control skunk trapping policy, which sets fees for moving problem animals, to include raccoons as well, Bousley said.