Update NCC Woodland Run Park - Little Mill Creek Stream Restoration Project

 

Good afternoon Chuck, I was not included on the latest comments submitted below, so please forward this to those I have missed.

 

As you know, we’ve received several emails since our public meeting in May voicing concerns over the project. There are a few common themes to all the concerns, focused around the amount of disturbance to the park, and we’re gathering information in preparation for another public meeting. I’m coordinating with Councilman Sheldon’s office, and we’ll share a date/time as soon as we can (aiming for early to mid-October).

 

There are some statements/concerns submitted to us that seem to be the result of misunderstandings and offer some clarification:

 

• NCC-PW is refusing to share engineering plans, reports, etc.: NCC-PW is not refusing to share information. As stated in my email of 8/14, in order to share technical information, the Department must follow the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. There are legal stipulations that must be followed and I cannot override them.

 

• Public comments submitted during the public meeting were lost: comments were not lost. Comments received from the meeting are the basis of information provided on the project webpage, and initiated some changes to the design.

 

• We would have little park with an oversized drainage basin (create 90-foot swale): total area and access to the park will not diminish. The addition of the trail and replacement bridges will improve access, especially for those with difficulty walking. We will not be creating a “swale”. The stream channel will not be 90 feet wide. The floodplain and/or wetland areas may be 90 feet wide in some areas, but these areas will continue to be accessible. Access to and through the park after the project is completed will be better than before.

 

• Loss of habitat: the project will result in an increase in habitat and diversity of habitat (wetland, woodland, etc.), also meaning more diverse wildlife. Stream improvements will also allow better fish migration, which is currently restricted due to poor stream conditions.

 

• Property values will drop due to the project: a study of stream restoration projects in the Baltimore area showed an increase in property values after a restoration project. A link to that article will be on our webpage shortly.

 

I hope these brief points clear up some misunderstanding about the project. We will provide additional information in our upcoming meeting.

 

V/R,

 

Jason

 

Jason.Zern@newcastlede.gov