MEETING SUMMARY
Edwards Branch Watershed Improvement Project
Phase III – Neighborhood Meeting
PROJECT
TEAM:
Monica Kruckow/CSWS PM
Jarrod Karl/CSWS WQ
Troy Eisenberger/CSWS PM
VENUE:
Abundant Life Lutheran Church
3320 N Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC
DATE:
February 16, 2006, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Mike Osborne/CH2M HILL
Jill Davenport/CH2M HILL
I. Welcome & Introductions
Monica Kruckow started the meeting at 7:30 pm by welcoming the attendees to the First
Public Meeting for Edwards Branch Watershed Improvement Project Phase III and
introducing the project team.
The attendees were asked to complete the information on the sign-in sheet, which included
name, address, telephone number, and E-mail address. They were also given a meeting
agenda, an 8.5”x11” exhibit of the Phase III Watershed and Project Areas, and a Storm Water
Pollution Fact Sheet. Since only two residents were in attendance, the meeting was
conducted using an open dialogue with these residents. Therefore, the agenda items
“General Questions & Comments” and “Small Group Discussions” were not formerly held
at the end of the meeting, but integrated throughout.
II. Meeting Purpose
Monica Kruckow stated this meeting is to discuss what has been identified as existing storm
water issues within the project area and to receive input from the citizens on what storm
water issues they have seen in the area.
The Edwards Branch Project is a water quality project and water quality projects are
typically watershed wide. The Edwards Branch watershed is roughly bounded by Central
Avenue to the north, Sharon Amity Road to the east, Independence Boulevard to the south
and southwest, and Norland Road to the northwest. There are three phases of this project –
Phase I and II have been completed and included things such as the constructed wetland on
Tarrington Avenue, stream restoration along South Gate Drive and Tarrington Avenue, and
a culvert replacement on the corner of Sheffield Drive and Tarrington Avenue. Edwards
Branch Phase III Project may include stream restoration, stream preservation with
buffer/stream enhancements, and other water quality features in and/or near Winterfield
Tributary and Evergreen Cemetery. This involves the analysis of existing conditions to
determine areas suitable for stream restoration, analysis of restoration alternatives, as well
as design and construction of recommended improvements.
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EDWARDS BRANCH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PHASE III – NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
III. Project Information
•
Storm Water Service and Water Quality
Monica Kruckow identified the project goals which are to stabilize banks and reduce stream
bank erosion, as well as reduce the level of pollutants in the stream. Pollutants are carried
from impervious areas, such as parking lots, roofs, and streets, to the streams and the way to
determine the reduction of pollutants will be through a monitoring device at the most
downstream point of the watershed. Other goals mentioned by other team members were
reducing sedimentation and also improving in-stream and riparian habitat.
The residents added that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities (CMU) has cleared the sanitary
sewer twice in the last six months because of grease buildup. Two weeks ago, sewer
overflowed and raw sewage was observed running down the line. CMU lined the sanitary
sewer several years ago.
The residents at the meeting noted that they have observed residents of Lansdale Crossing
Apartment dumping trash into stormwater curb and grate inlets.
The residents also mentioned that Lansdale Crossing is owned by a new company.
The residents also mentioned that at one point the Winterfield Tributary was cleaned and
within 3 weeks it was littered with trash again.
Jarrod Karl suggested that CSWS’s Water Quality Educator may be able to contact the
Apartment complexes and provide educational assistance. Additionally, CMU may be able
to be contacted for assistance. The residents recalled that CMU has sent out bilingual
mailers warning against pouring grease into the sink.
Monica Kruckow discussed the service requests in the Edwards Branch Phase III Watershed;
however, many of these requests have already been addressed. The one service request that
has not yet been resolved, related to flooding, will be worked on by the CSWS maintenance
team.
•
Citizen Involvement
Monica Kruckow stated that citizen involvement was important to the project and there will
be additional meetings along the timeline of the project for citizens to provide feedback to
the project team. In addition to this first public meeting, a meeting will be held at the end of
the Planning Phase to present a preliminary solution, at 30 percent Design (Conceptual
Plans), and at 70 percent Design (Preliminary Plans).
The residents mentioned that they have attended several Edwards Branch Phase I and II
meetings in the past and will send out their own meeting summary to interested citizens.
•
Existing Conditions Analysis
Jill Davenport stated that CH2M HILL, through a contract with CSWS, looked at and
evaluated the Existing Conditions of the Phase III area. They modeled small and large
storms in Winterfield Tributary, concluding that there is too much force in the channel
during most rain events. This force causes bank erosion. The model confirms that
Winterfield Tributary does not flood any houses or roads.
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EDWARDS BRANCH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PHASE III – NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
CH2M HILL also analyzed biological (insects and fish), chemical (water quality), and
physical (erosion) data to determine watershed health. The data analyzed, collected by
Mecklenburg County Water Quality, showed an absence of insects and fish in the stream.
The data also shows that the water quality is impaired, with high fecal coliform and high
sediment, predominantly from bank erosion.
The fecal coliform counts were reviewed and discussed further; the residents indicated that
the sanitary sewer pipes were not lined until recently. Also discussed was the collection of
fish data and the residents mentioned that they have seen many frogs and heron.
The residents also mentioned the discovery 4 or 5 years ago of a Central Avenue strip mall’s
sanitary sewer discharging into the stormwater system that flows into Evergreen Tributary.
The problem was fixed at that time.
CH2M HILL assessed the vegetative community in the Project Areas. Invasive (or nonnative) plants such as English ivy, Oregon grape, and privet are all over the watershed.
CH2M HILL conducted a geomorphic assessment of Winterfield Tributary; channel banks
and bottom are eroding because the channel is too straight, too deep and water flows too
fast when it rains. The other Project Areas (A, B, D), all on Evergreen Cemetery property,
have erosion problems, concentrated flows going into the wetland system, and invasive
plants.
The residents noted that in 1980 Winterfield Tributary was only a trickle of water, level with
the forest floor. Also noted were problems with inadequate garbage dumpsters at Lansdale
Crossing Apartments prompting residents to place trash in storm drains. In addition, the
residents sometimes notice the strong odor of detergent, perhaps from a laundromat on
Rosehaven Drive, Central Avenue, or communal laundry at one of the apartment
complexes.
Jill Davenport then identified on exhibit photographs examples of problems along
Winterfield Tributary.
Photo 1 – Urban debris and shopping carts deposited at Lansdale Drive culvert create jams
in the stream. The residents mentioned they’ve noticed that stores have been retrieving
their carts once a week.
Photo 2 - Invasive plants, such as privet, choke out native plants that birds and other
wildlife need for food.
It was noted by Jarrod Karl that it is common practice for Charlotte Storm Water Services to
remove invasives 3 times a year for 5 years on mitigation projects.
Photo 3 - In-stream bank erosion, as indicated in the photo by the bare roots, is caused by
rain water flowing too fast through the channel. The now exposed sanitary sewer was
probably buried until erosion uncovered it.
The residents expressed concern for a bridge to remain across Winterfield Tributary; they
gave suggestions on alignments and suggested CSWS or CH2M HILL contact Mecklenburg
Parks & Recreation for additional information. There was an exchange of contacts used by
the residents for Park and Recreation. Jill Davenport acknowledged the importance and use
of the footpath along the sanitary sewer easement.
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EDWARDS BRANCH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PHASE III – NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
It was also noted by the residents that Charlotte-Mecklenburg School’s (CMS) plans for the
school property shows a fitness trail along Winterfield Tributary.
Photo 4 – Impaired in-stream habitat, illustrated by the cloudy pool, has poor water quality.
It is not healthy for animals that live in the water or need it as a water source.
The residents have seen many frogs, as well as red-shouldered hawks, great blue herons,
muskrats and raccoons in the area.
Jill Davenport concluded the Existing Conditions Analysis section by stating that
Winterfield Tributary is a candidate for stream restoration. Jarrod Karl stated that this
project is part of the City of Charlotte’s mitigation bank.
The residents spoke of new flooding concerns along Central Avenue. Monica Kruckow
requested they call 311 to lodge formal complaints.
IV. What Happens Next?
Monica Kruckow then outlined the timeline of events for the rest of the project, starting with
the remainder of the Planning Phase, which includes assessing improvement alternatives
and selecting the best alternative to meet the project goals. Anticipated completion of the
Planning Phase is by the end of 2006.
Following the Planning Phase, the Design/Easement Acquisition/Permitting Phases begin.
These phases run concurrently, typically lasting 21 to 34 months.
The residents gave a contact for the Islamic Center to discuss easement acquisition with
them along the lower reach of Winterfield Tributary.
After all design plans are finalized, and all easements and permits are acquired, the final
plans will go out to contractors for bid; the Bid Phase is typically 4 to 5 months. By state
law, the lowest responsible bidder is awarded the construction contract. Once the contract
is awarded, construction can begin. Because projects vary in size, the typical Construction
Phase of a project can last anywhere from 3 months to over 2 years.
Throughout all phases, citizens will be kept informed via mailers and meetings on project
status.
V. Summary
The meeting concluded with the residents reviewing their notes with the project team.
VI. General Questions & Comments
Questions and comments were addressed during the meeting.
VII. Small Group Discussions
Small Group Discussions were conducted during the meeting.
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