November 2015.
”Joe’s Creek is under stress”, as an NPNA resident and long time Creek volunteer recently observed.
Record rain falls, and long dry spells have challenged the Creek this year, the former advancing erosion and soil washing into the creek, and the latter stressing wildlife. While these natural events are not within our control, we continue to be alert for the best practices that we, as neighbors, can provide.
One can easily see examples of both good and poor practices regarding soil control around the numerous building and rebuilding projects currently underway in Northaven Park. Most builders seem to be careful and observant of the appropriate measures, but “when you see something of concern, say something” by contacting our Creek team at creek@npna.org.
A few months ago, our NPNA creek volunteers observed and directed the attention of the City to the landscape plan of a home under construction that seemed to encroach into the creek itself. The city response was emphatic, and promises to result in an engineer approved plan, that will preserve the flow of the creek.
The City’s Trinity Floodplain Management division, directed the response, and recently met with NPNA leaders and homeowners to inspect and review the erosion control gabions that have been installed just below the power line crossing. The City brought a few of their engineering staff members and shared some of their observations while listening to the Creek leaders and homeowners in the area. While any substantive rework will have to await the next bond election, the City did say that they would keep apprised of any further deterioration and welcomed our input.
Vince Punaro, Creek Event Leader