Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Fayetteville transportation department to assign 5-man crew to work only on stormwater problems of immediate concern, delaying a few 'gentrification' projects awhile
Thanks to the Northwest Arkansas Newspapers for publishing the following break-through article:
FLOOD REPAIR: Drainage Outlook Changes
CITY TO PUSH BACK 2011 CONSTRUCTION, REFINE FOCUS
Posted: June 2, 2011 at 5:54 a.m.
Updated: June 2, 2011 at 11:18 a.m.
Updated: June 2, 2011 at 11:18 a.m.
FAYETTEVILLE — Spring floods that damaged streets, drainage and people’s homes will likely force the city to delay some of this year’s paving, sidewalk and trail work so more critical repairs can be made.
Members of Mayor Lioneld Jordan’s administration presented aldermen with 135 problem spots not immediately addressed following April flooding.
Terry Gulley, transportation services director, said he typically sees no more than a third of those calls for service at any one time.
“You just can’t get there quick enough,” Gulley said.
He estimated it would take the city’s five-member drainage crew 278 days to address all needs in the city, which include washed-out shoulders, clogged culverts and eroded ditches.
By reassigning three additional six-member crews to deal with those issues, Gulley hoped to trim the time needed to respond to service requests to three months.
That change would mean a pushing back completion date for the university’s farm trail in north Fayetteville along with 40 road resurfacing projects and a dozen sidewalk construction projects.
“They’re projects that will still get done, they’re just not starting now,” said Don Marr, the mayor’s chief of staff.
“We believe that there was a greater urgency in resolving some of the potential drainage issues,” Marr said. “If I’ve had three feet of water in my house, I have a very different sense of urgency than walking on (a new) sidewalk.”
The following items are listed as high priority in a chart of more than 135 calls for services to the Fayetteville’s Transportation Division.
Ward 1
In addition, officials want to make drainage improvement a priority in the Transportation Division’s 2012 budget.
Marr and Chris Brown, city engineer, said, with multiple big-ticket road projects slated for 2012, such as improvement to Crossover Road, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Cato Springs Road and Huntsville Road, it’s a good time to address drainage issues on residential streets.
“Maybe now is the time to back off of our local overlay and sidewalk program and kind of give that a break so folks traveling on these roadways under construction don’t have to put up with construction in their neighborhoods as well,” Brown said.
Gulley estimated the material cost for the calls for service at $265,000.
A price tag for larger capital improvements in 2012 is unclear, but Gulley said one project, rechanneling an aging drainage system along Scull Creek that has caused significant flooding to homes near Maple Street, Walnut Avenue, Mission Boulevard and Olive Avenue, would cost more than $1 million.
Other targeted areas for improvement are the subdivision south of Rolling Hills Drive in north Fayetteville, a section along the Hamestring Creek in west Fayetteville and more than 20 other places that are typically the first to see flooding in heavy rain.
Crews will be looking at laying pipes, rechanneling drainage and building detention ponds to slow runoff.
“We’re looking at ways to slow that water flow,” Gulley said. “We don’t just want to pipe it all to the creeks.”
Jordan told aldermen Tuesday the temptation sometimes is to ignore infrastructure improvement in favor of construction.
“But, you know, when you're letting everything else fall apart, somewhere you've got to address that drainage,” Jordan said. “We’ve got to do this.”
Ward 3 Alderman Bobby Ferrell agreed.
“To me it’s a no-brainer,” Ferrell said. “One of the primary functions of city government is water, fire, sewer, drainage.”
“It looks to me like we have some major infrastructure problems,” he added.
In order to delay projects this year in favor of responding to open calls for service, the City Council must approve adjusting this year’s budget. That will likely be done at the June 21 council meeting, Marr said.
One could only dream that people involved in this effort were subscribers to the following publication
Please click on individual images to ENLARGE.
Members of Mayor Lioneld Jordan’s administration presented aldermen with 135 problem spots not immediately addressed following April flooding.
Terry Gulley, transportation services director, said he typically sees no more than a third of those calls for service at any one time.
“You just can’t get there quick enough,” Gulley said.
He estimated it would take the city’s five-member drainage crew 278 days to address all needs in the city, which include washed-out shoulders, clogged culverts and eroded ditches.
By reassigning three additional six-member crews to deal with those issues, Gulley hoped to trim the time needed to respond to service requests to three months.
Editor's note
Terry Gulley, Fayetteville transportation services director, said reassigning three six-member crews to deal with the flood-related damage would cut the response to all the service requests to about three months. This story has been modified from its original version to reflect that correction.“They’re projects that will still get done, they’re just not starting now,” said Don Marr, the mayor’s chief of staff.
“We believe that there was a greater urgency in resolving some of the potential drainage issues,” Marr said. “If I’ve had three feet of water in my house, I have a very different sense of urgency than walking on (a new) sidewalk.”
THE PROJECTS
Fayetteville’s PrioritiesThe following items are listed as high priority in a chart of more than 135 calls for services to the Fayetteville’s Transportation Division.
Ward 1
- 449 N. Assembly Dr., erosion under roadway
- 1115 S. Baldwin Ave., house flooding
- South Buchanan Avenue and North Stone Street, clogged ditches
- East Hope Street, driveway flooding
- 142 W. Cleburn St., clogged ditch and pipes
- 685 N. Leverett Ave., sidewalk flooding
- 970 N. Rush Drive, culvert collapsing
- 980 N. Rush Drive, basement flooding
- 1669 N. Charlee Ave., general flooding
- 2690 N. Colette Ave., culvert and garage flooding
- 824 N. Hall Ave., driveway flooding
- North Jeremiah Place and West Emil Drive Street, buckling
- 401 S. Lewis Ave., house flooding
- 106 N. Palmer Ave., house flooding
- 916 N. Sang Ave., clogged ditches and garage flooding
- North Sang Avenue and West Ora Drive, street flooding
Marr and Chris Brown, city engineer, said, with multiple big-ticket road projects slated for 2012, such as improvement to Crossover Road, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Cato Springs Road and Huntsville Road, it’s a good time to address drainage issues on residential streets.
“Maybe now is the time to back off of our local overlay and sidewalk program and kind of give that a break so folks traveling on these roadways under construction don’t have to put up with construction in their neighborhoods as well,” Brown said.
Gulley estimated the material cost for the calls for service at $265,000.
A price tag for larger capital improvements in 2012 is unclear, but Gulley said one project, rechanneling an aging drainage system along Scull Creek that has caused significant flooding to homes near Maple Street, Walnut Avenue, Mission Boulevard and Olive Avenue, would cost more than $1 million.
Other targeted areas for improvement are the subdivision south of Rolling Hills Drive in north Fayetteville, a section along the Hamestring Creek in west Fayetteville and more than 20 other places that are typically the first to see flooding in heavy rain.
Crews will be looking at laying pipes, rechanneling drainage and building detention ponds to slow runoff.
“We’re looking at ways to slow that water flow,” Gulley said. “We don’t just want to pipe it all to the creeks.”
Jordan told aldermen Tuesday the temptation sometimes is to ignore infrastructure improvement in favor of construction.
“But, you know, when you're letting everything else fall apart, somewhere you've got to address that drainage,” Jordan said. “We’ve got to do this.”
Ward 3 Alderman Bobby Ferrell agreed.
“To me it’s a no-brainer,” Ferrell said. “One of the primary functions of city government is water, fire, sewer, drainage.”
“It looks to me like we have some major infrastructure problems,” he added.
In order to delay projects this year in favor of responding to open calls for service, the City Council must approve adjusting this year’s budget. That will likely be done at the June 21 council meeting, Marr said.
One could only dream that people involved in this effort were subscribers to the following publication
Please click on individual images to ENLARGE.
Friday, June 3, 2011
ADEQ consideration of bad idea comes up Tuesday
| Denise Parkinson | 7:12pm Jun 2 |
The Legislative Committees are reviewing the ADEQ recommendations for UMETCO on Tuesday, June 14, at 10 am at the State Capitol building. I am STILL waiting to find out if any of the folks I have spoken with will go stand up for The Natural State and call this precedent what it is: a signal for every mining company out there to just pollute the heck outta all our water -- go right ahead because ADEQ will let you do whatever you want...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
War Eagle Days: Click on the kayak photo to open full view, please
|
4500 Springer Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72206
(501) 244-2229 | ARaction@audubon.org
Friday, May 27, 2011
A survey of city residents to learn more about extent of recent flooding is needed before the new city master plan is approved by the Fayetteville City Council
Please click on image to view full-full screen directly from You Tube.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Karen Rollet-Crocker to present program on landscaping with native plants at 5:30 p.m. today at her home on Mount Sequoyah
Landscaping with Native Plants
Native plants in a landscape help preserve our Ozark identity, provide food for our birds and insects and are well suited to our soils and climate. Karen Rollet Crocker, recently retired UA professor of landscape architecture, invites us to see how she is using native plants in her home landscape and to hear what she has learned during her years of designing gardens for others, including the native landscape for Compton Gardens and the heritage gardens at Peel Mansion, both in Bentonville.
Crocker’s talk and demonstration on landscaping with native plants is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. at 951 N. Pembroke Road in Fayetteville . The rain date is Tuesday, May 17 at the same time.
Directions: from Mission Blvd (45) go up the hill on Rockwood Trail (.6 mi). At the top turn left on Pembroke and go to the first corner on the left side (west side).
Attendees who want starts of native plants are invited to bring a couple of small pots with soil in which to take them home.
The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Fayetteville Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee. For information, call 871-7023.
Native plants in a landscape help preserve our Ozark identity, provide food for our birds and insects and are well suited to our soils and climate. Karen Rollet Crocker, recently retired UA professor of landscape architecture, invites us to see how she is using native plants in her home landscape and to hear what she has learned during her years of designing gardens for others, including the native landscape for Compton Gardens and the heritage gardens at Peel Mansion, both in Bentonville.
Crocker’s talk and demonstration on landscaping with native plants is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. at 951 N. Pembroke Road in Fayetteville . The rain date is Tuesday, May 17 at the same time.
Directions: from Mission Blvd (45) go up the hill on Rockwood Trail (.6 mi). At the top turn left on Pembroke and go to the first corner on the left side (west side).
Attendees who want starts of native plants are invited to bring a couple of small pots with soil in which to take them home.
The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Fayetteville Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee. For information, call 871-7023.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Landscaping with Native Plants
Community Events
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: 951 N. Pembroke Road, Fayetteville
Landscape Architecture Professor Karen Rollet Crocker
Contact: Fayetteville Tree and Landscape Advisory Committee
Phone: 479-871-7023
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Doug Tallamy tells us about 'Bringing Nature Home' to provide habitat for wildlife
Please click on individual images to ENLARGE for easy reading.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
11th Annual Meeting of the
American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES)
Hosted by NC State University Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
We are excited to host the 11th annual American Ecological Engineering Society Conference in Asheville, North Carolina. Our goal is to provide a forum for sharing ideas, information, and experiences among engineers, landscape architects, environmental scientists, natural resource managers, and planners working to improve ecosystem health and global sustainability.
The conference focus this year is Engineering for Ecosystem Services. We expect to have more than 100 presentations and posters focusing on ecological engineering applications in environmental restoration, wastewater and stormwater treatment, renewable energy, climate change adaptation, and sustainable food systems. The program will include invited speakers, roundtable discussions on emerging issues, posters and exhibits, field trips, and many networking opportunities. Student participation is a key element of the conference, with emphasis on design experiences and mentoring for our future ecological engineers.
Who Should Attend 
The American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES) works to promote the protection and development of sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with the natural environment for the benefit of both. Conference participants will include: environmental and ecological scientists, engineers; landscape architects; policy makers and planners; federal, tribal, state, and local government agency personnel; and private interests, environmental consultants, environmental interest groups, and students.Continuing Education
This conference offers 16.5 PDHs for the 3-day event (5.5 per day) for professional engineers, approved by the NC Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. 8 CEUs have been approved for landscape architects by the NC Board of Landscape Architects; Course # 7696.Request for Sponsors
If you are interested in being a sponsor for this meeting, please contact Dr. Greg Jennings (contact information below) or visit the Sponsor/Vendor link.For More Information, Contact:
Greg Jennings , Professor and Extension SpecialistNorth Carolina State University
Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department
Campus Box 7625
Raleigh, NC 27695-7625
Phone: (919) 606-4790
Email: jenningsenv@gmail.com
General Information :
Logistics
- Registration
- Location & Lodging
- Travel
- Student Travel Awards
- Student Design Competition
- Abstract Submission
- Exhibitors/Sponsors
- Contact Information
About AEES
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Please bring children to World Peace Wetland Prairie on April 17, 2011, to celebrate Earth Day with Toucan Jam and many other local Fayetteville, Arkansas, musicians and singers
Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Donna Stjerna and Kelly Mullholan's poster for Earth Day 2011 at World Peace Wetland Prairie.
World Peace Wetland Prairie EARTH DAY 2010 VIDEO
Flickr collection of sets of photos from World Peace Wetland Prairie
World Peace Wetland Prairie blog
World Peace Wetland Prairie.com
Aubrey's photos at flickr.com
2000-2005 archive of stories and photos related to creation of WPWP: www.aubunique.comPlease use link below the map to see larger view of the WPWP area, which also allows a person to travel the world by 'Google AIR' by simply using the cursor to move in any direction or search for other addresses.
View World Peace Wetland Prairie in a larger map
World Peace Wetland Prairie EARTH DAY 2010 VIDEO
Flickr collection of sets of photos from World Peace Wetland Prairie
World Peace Wetland Prairie blog
World Peace Wetland Prairie.com
Aubrey's photos at flickr.com
2000-2005 archive of stories and photos related to creation of WPWP: www.aubunique.com
View World Peace Wetland Prairie in a larger map
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Something Arkansas does NOT need now: Disastrous House Bill 1895 could be voted on by Arkansas Senate tomorrow
| In the News... | GET INVOLVED... | |||
Important Legislative Update: The Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWECPO) has drafted HB 1895 which would make it much easier for utilities to get power plants approved under the radar, hurt ratepayers and cut the public out of the commenting process. The bill can be found at http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1895 This bill is bad on several levels: 1) HB 1895, written by the utility Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), would change the utility law that is the subject of pending litigation in suits where SWEPCO is a party. Changing the law right before a judge makes a ruling is not a tactic of which I want my legislature to be a part. 2) This bill would create a “declaration of need” proceeding to determine whether there should be more electricity production in Arkansas, but not create public notice requirements for the proceeding. If a government agency is conducting a decision making process that could later on affect my utility rates, I want to make sure that I’m given the opportunity to be a part of that discussion. And I won’t know how to attend if the law doesn’t require me to be notified. 3) HB 1895 would tip the scales to the utilities so that they can pressure government to raise electric rates even more. The bill would create a separate “declaration of need” proceeding where a determination for the need of increased electric capacity would provide the basis for utilities to recover new costs through increased rates. We, the ratepayers, would be stuck with higher bills. Unfortunately, it has already passed the Arkansas House. It is possible that this bill will wind up on the Senate floor, and we need concerned citizens to call their senators now and urge them to vote NO on HB 1895. In order to find your own senator, visit: http://www.arkansas.gov/senate/senatorSearch.html For more information about the bill, please contact: Lev Guter Associate Field Organizer Sierra Club - Arkansas lev.guter@sierraclub.org (941) 779-3337 |
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Why we needed Fayetteville's newly approved streamside ordinance many years ago: A few photos of stream abuse witnessed March 21, 2011
Please click on individual images to ENLARGE views of pollution headed directly to Spout Spring Branch without the polluted water being allowed to soak in and be cleansed before heading to Beaver Lake.
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| Unpleasant looking runoff from storm drain on north edge of Fifteenth Street. Is it caused by naturally occurring algae or by whatever a homeowner on South College Avenue dumped from a bucket shown in photo below? |
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| Drain entrance still wet two hours after I watched a guy dump a bucket there. Material appeared to be white paint chips and thick plastic-like goo that could be material from a paint can. |
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| Flow from storm drain above enters Spout Spring Branch on north side of 15th Street. |
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| The gel-like material at first glance looked like icicles but the the temperature hadn't been below freezing for more than a week. |
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| Seeds from pod of vine milkweed knocked down by Arkansas Highway Department machines dredging ditch the routes water from a storm drain on the south side of 15th Street directly into Spout Spring Branch. Milkweed plants of all varieties provide foliage to the caterpillars of monarchs and a few other species of butterfly and logically would be protected by a state highway department whose Web site touts its wildflower program. |
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| Back on the northside of 15th Street, which is a state highway at that point, the water polluted by something but at least there is a remnant of vegetation including the same milkvine and a few other native species. |
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| The highway workers dredged out part of the business owner's landscaping and widened and deepened the ditch. And hauled away the good soil to its dump in south Washington County. |
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| Both the dumping of ANYTHING into a storm drain and the dredging of the ditch and allowing erosion violate best-management practices for watershed management and were already illegal before Fayetteville's new streamside ordinance was passed. If the ADEQ and the AHTD and the US Corps of Engineeers won't protect our water supply, maybe this new ordinance will embolden city officials to see that such things don't happen so often in the future. |
Friday, March 18, 2011
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