Fairhope, Alabama
BIG MOUTH GULLY EROSION
Plans already in place and approved by the city council to repair damage to the drainage channel adjacent the city's sewage treatment plant caused by the April 29th super-rainstorm have been put on hold after an inspector for the federal government (NRCS) unexpectedly decided it was no longer considered "exigent" (an emergency); because city personnel had made some temporary repairs by piling up rocks to protect the building's foundation.
According to project engineer Scott Douglas of South Coast Engineers, the $220K project was moved to the NRCS's non-exigent list -- to be begun when funding is made available by Congress.
The city will provide the required 25% match.
NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT UPGRADED
At about the same time, a project submitted earlier by residents to repair damage (same storm) to drainage easements in The Woodlands and Plantation Pines subdivisions on Greeno Rd. was upgraded to priority ('exigent') status by the same agency; but, because completion would have been required in only ten days, it was put on hold as well and moved to the non-exigent list -- with a longer 220 day completion-time requirement.
The city has an 8"sewer line in the easement that may be threatened by future storms, according to Sewer Superintendent McCrory.
Engineer Douglas said the repairs should cost about $400K including the city's share of about $85K -- if the city council decides to become a co-sponsor.
Plans are to reduce the chances of the "meandering channel" overflowing its banks -- by straightening it out, slowing down flow-rate, and other measures.
Both subdivisions (planned in the 1990s) were designed for only a 25 yr. flooding event, not 100 yr. as is required today.
Replacing the culvert under Woodlands Dr. is the ultimate solution for that neighborhood, Douglas said. (picture below)
Plantation Pines is notable for having no water retention facilities at all: the city already has plans to add some in street right-of-ways later this year, as part of its annual MS4 storm water management certification program.
The drainage channel, a natural tributary of Fly Creek, begins on the sprawling Auburn Research Farm property south of Hwy 104 and proceeds northward under the highway, directly through the two neighborhoods down into Fly Creek. (see map at right)
According to Mayor Kant, improvements (widening) to Hwy 104 by the state and the new Riviera Utilities electric substation nearby have added to the problem; and water comes down the right of way from other Auburn farm property -- and "turns right" into the Woodlands drainage.
Water also runs off from Auburn property directly onto Plantation Pines from the east. The university has been contacted and may eventually add some retention to slow it down, according to the mayor.
Council President Burrell expressed concern about setting a precedent by co-sponsoring such projects on private property, but conceded protecting the city's sewage infrastructure may be justification in this case.
Councilman Boone said that if the city did not act now, it would have to some day when the sewage line broke and spilled into the creek.
Engineer Douglas was clearly perplexed that a project all ready to go was suddenly stopped and another not-yet-ready one moved up in priority:
"These are federal bureaucrats ... its frustrating ... the mayor has beat his head against the wall just as I have done ... lost his temper. It is so silly ... Woodlands/ P. Pines is a valid project ... needs to happen ... but they put that as exigent ... knowing there was no possible way... to get that work done in that period of time ... (10 days)." (see video)
(Publishers note: According to information on the city's website, city councilman Kevin Boone lives in The Woodlands neighborhood, Phase II. Project Engineer Scott Douglas said he lives there as well. Neither are directly affected by the drainage problem.)
OTHER PROJECTS MAKING PROGRESS
Roadway repairs funded by another agency (FEMA) on N. Section St. have been completed and those to replace a broken sewer line across Fly Creek (@Greeno Rd.) are about to begin.
BIG MOUTH GULLY EROSION
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| UV building |
According to project engineer Scott Douglas of South Coast Engineers, the $220K project was moved to the NRCS's non-exigent list -- to be begun when funding is made available by Congress.
The city will provide the required 25% match.
 |
| sewage plant gully |
NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT UPGRADED
 |
| The Woodlands drainage |
The city has an 8"sewer line in the easement that may be threatened by future storms, according to Sewer Superintendent McCrory.
Engineer Douglas said the repairs should cost about $400K including the city's share of about $85K -- if the city council decides to become a co-sponsor.
Plans are to reduce the chances of the "meandering channel" overflowing its banks -- by straightening it out, slowing down flow-rate, and other measures.
Both subdivisions (planned in the 1990s) were designed for only a 25 yr. flooding event, not 100 yr. as is required today.
 |
| Douglas |
Plantation Pines is notable for having no water retention facilities at all: the city already has plans to add some in street right-of-ways later this year, as part of its annual MS4 storm water management certification program.
The drainage channel, a natural tributary of Fly Creek, begins on the sprawling Auburn Research Farm property south of Hwy 104 and proceeds northward under the highway, directly through the two neighborhoods down into Fly Creek. (see map at right)
According to Mayor Kant, improvements (widening) to Hwy 104 by the state and the new Riviera Utilities electric substation nearby have added to the problem; and water comes down the right of way from other Auburn farm property -- and "turns right" into the Woodlands drainage.
Water also runs off from Auburn property directly onto Plantation Pines from the east. The university has been contacted and may eventually add some retention to slow it down, according to the mayor.
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| drainage map |
Council President Burrell expressed concern about setting a precedent by co-sponsoring such projects on private property, but conceded protecting the city's sewage infrastructure may be justification in this case.
Councilman Boone said that if the city did not act now, it would have to some day when the sewage line broke and spilled into the creek.
Engineer Douglas was clearly perplexed that a project all ready to go was suddenly stopped and another not-yet-ready one moved up in priority:
"These are federal bureaucrats ... its frustrating ... the mayor has beat his head against the wall just as I have done ... lost his temper. It is so silly ... Woodlands/ P. Pines is a valid project ... needs to happen ... but they put that as exigent ... knowing there was no possible way... to get that work done in that period of time ... (10 days)." (see video)
(Publishers note: According to information on the city's website, city councilman Kevin Boone lives in The Woodlands neighborhood, Phase II. Project Engineer Scott Douglas said he lives there as well. Neither are directly affected by the drainage problem.)
OTHER PROJECTS MAKING PROGRESS
Roadway repairs funded by another agency (FEMA) on N. Section St. have been completed and those to replace a broken sewer line across Fly Creek (@Greeno Rd.) are about to begin.
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| sewage plant channel (Big Mouth Gully) |
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| Woodlands Dr. culvert |
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