Chris Hall, an engineer with McGoodwin, Williams and Yates, told Carroll-Boone Water District commissioners last Thursday that exploratory drilling under the Kings River found sections of both solid rock and gravel. Since gravel does not hold up well when drilling tunnels under rivers, engineers are devising a plan for the gravel that will be presented later. He said the good news is they have stayed within budget.
Keels Creek restoration funding denied
Hall also said he showed field representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency the site of erosion along Keels Creek that’s perilously close to the CBWD transmission line. FEMA told Hall they liked the project, and word has since come down that FEMA approved the project, but with zero funding.
“I was floored by this,” Hall commented. He said that since erosion had not yet caused any damage, funding had been denied, and he is not sure an appeal would be worth the cost.
Commissioner Frank Brooks observed, “Isn’t this fairly urgent? One big flood and we’re in trouble?”
CBWD Chair Jim Yates remarked calls to State Senators might be next.
Hall said he would continue looking for funding sources and report back.
Transmission line project
Hall said two crews working on Phase 1 of the transmission project had only 6000 – 7000 feet left to complete the run from the Freeman-Raney Plant to Hwy. 23 South. He expects this section will be completed before the October CBWB meeting.
Other business
Commissioners voted 5-0-1, Yates abstaining, to hire Porterfield and Company to continue performing annual audits for three more years.
Next meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m., at the Freeman-Raney Water Treatment Plant.