Public input sought for draft Mill Creek Feasibility Study

NASHVILLE, TN, UNITED STATES

10.30.2014

Story by Bill Peoples 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District and Metro Nashville officials are seeking public input on the draft report and environmental assessment for the Mill Creek Feasibility Study in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Lt. Col. John L. Hudson, Nashville District commander, said the release of the feasibility study draft report is a critical early step in the Corps’ project delivery process that began with a multi-discipline team of engineers, environmental scientists, archeologists, economists and real estate specialists that worked closely with non-federal partners, natural resource agencies and other stakeholders.

“By seeking comment on the draft report during a 30-day comment period, we can better evaluate and identify an economically justified solution that is transparent, complete, effective and acceptable,” Hudson said. “We will ensure that every idea, comment and question received during the comment period will be fully and fairly evaluated.”

The draft report, environmental assessment and appendices are available online at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/Missions/CurrentProjects/Investigation/MillCreekFloodRiskManagementStudy.

The purpose of the report is to analyze potential solutions for the flooding problems in the Mill Creek watershed within the boundary of Davidson County. The report presents the flood risk management problems and opportunities within the Mill Creek watershed as well as the measures and alternatives that potentially could reduce damages from future flood events. The economic analysis for each measure and alternative is documented and a tentatively selected plan is recommended.

The report documents federal interest in implementation of both structural and non-structural measures, which include detention storage, bridge modification, minor channel modification and removing or elevating the most at-risk structures from flood hazards. Public review of the findings in the report is the next step in the process of reducing flood risk and improving public safety in the Mill Creek watershed.

The Mill Creek Feasibility Study is a partnership between the Corps and the city of Nashville. This study incorporates Corps analysis and Metro Unified Flood Preparedness Plan data. New rainfall models were developed and an updated structure database helped with developing flood risk reduction alternatives. The final report is expected to be completed in June 2015 when the “Report of the Chief of Engineers” is transmitted through the Office of Management and Budget to the Congress for authorization. Once the project is congressionally authorized for construction, the Corps, in conjunction with Metro Nashville, would prepare designs for project construction.

Scott Potter, director of Metro Water Services, said the initial intent of the feasibility study was to identify opportunities for both flood risk management and for ecosystem restoration within the basin.

“After experiencing the catastrophic flood of May 2010, the study was refocused on the completion of the feasibility phase of the flood risk management for Davidson County, including the alternatives identified in the Unified Flood Preparedness Plan,” Potter said. “The completion of this work will allow Metro to seek federal funding for flood risk management projects as money becomes available.”

The public is encouraged to email comments to [e-mail]. Please refer to “Mill Creek draft report comments” in the subject line.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.

• Date Taken: 10.30.2014
• Date Posted: 10.30.2014 16:09
• Story ID: 146609
• Location: NASHVILLE, TN, US