| Update on damage to the forest –
Work is Progressing on Pipeline Project
1. Wastewater Interceptor Inspection
- ACE is continuing to CCTV laterals and is expected to continue for another ~2-4 weeks.
- MSI inspection has begun and is expected to be completed close to the end of April.
- Data processing to take ~6 weeks following field inspection completion.
- City staff, Kimley-Horn and ACE are meeting weekly to identify work completed, access needs, and field observations needing the City’s attention.
- Parks staff and Preserve coordinated on requested path to be cleared, and Parks will be working on that next week (this was part of the original access plan)
- Coordination with parks regarding access through Winters Park is on-going.
2. Forested Area Impact Analysis –
- Stakeholder meeting occurred on 3/3 to present preliminary findings
- Kimley-Horn and City have taken feedback from meetings and begun reviewing/ incorporating into updated report.
- Kimley-Horn has begun evaluating remediation options and confirming field data to include debris piles.
- Additional Field Survey performed week of 3/9.
- Follow-up Environmental field work performed week of 3/16.
- Follow up Stakeholder meeting scheduled for April 6.
- Anticipate TAPP Board presentations moving to August to go along with Wastewater Evaluation Presentation – County to confirm.
3. Wastewater Interceptor Alternative and Access Evaluation –
- Kimley-Horn has continued evaluating options for permanent access to existing infrastructure, looking at preliminary alternate pipe alignment, and coordinating with trenchless pipe rehabilitation manufacturers on feasibility of various technologies.
- While research and pre-work is continuing on this effort, it will require the results of the sewer inspection to be complete in order to fully proceed with this task.
As a stakeholder, the Preservation Society is included in these planning sessions, and we will continue to report as this important project moves into the next phase.
Note:
The above information is from an update report by Christina Hickey, PE, Engineering Services Administrator, City of Garland Water Department
Additional Thoughts:
A couple of days ago, I visited the Halff Park devastated area for the first time this spring. It was so changed, I had to ask my friend Dana, “Are we there?” It is lush. It is green. It is growing. Because of the controversy, no additional work has been allowed, and our forest is doing its best thing.
If you visit the lush, green area now, you might wonder what all the anger and out-cry was about last year. But please remember that the project is still in the discovery stage where they are “only” assessing what, where, and how. I put the word “only” in quotes because this phase sets the tone for all the months of actual work are still to come.
Already, the various Garland departments and contractor experts are working together to try to do as little damage as possible during the assessment. And they are asking the Society experts for our input. But that lush, green, growing area may be crushed again by the equipment that does any repair work needed on the sewer. They hope to have the several miles of sewer line that goes through our Preserve assessed by the end of April. Keeping our fingers crossed!
Thoughts by Barbara Baynham
Spring Creek nearly out of its banks from a heavy rain this spring. Photo by R. Collins.
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