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2008

Chemical in creek not a fix As a citizen of Balch Springs I became extremely concerned when I was told our city is going to spray our hickory creek with a chemical that can have adverse effects on wildlife and humans too. I and several of our neighbors has children that crosses this creek walking home school. As a member of the National Wildlife Federation i care about the effects this will have on the diffrent species of birds and other critters that lives around this creek. I feel this is only a temporary fix. Our trees are fixing to go into dormacy, and spraying will not fix this. We need to cut back on city operations a few hours a week and use this mon Latest Posts It is a win- win situtation! I am very pleased to report that the item about Hickory Creek was put back on the agenda, was rediscussed and a directive issued to slow down, not spray (anymore) and instead to study other alternatives to preserving the creek while controlling the flooding. Together, we made a difference for the better of our city! Thank you to council members Donna Taulbee, Julie Greer and Charlene Rushing for supporting the citizens' concerns. Thank you to Mr. McDonald for listening to the voices of wisdom from the CPH Engineers office, The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, Ron Hall, horticulturist and firefighter who witnessed and experienced chemical poisoning, and, myself - citizen, horticulturist and environmentalist - not to mention, frugal tax payer. Thank you to the citizens who got up and spoke their hearts, fears and suggestions about the Hickory Creek subject. It takes courage to get up there, you did it! Now, we need YOUR help, the rest of my fellow citizens - to join the committee to help with the creek project - to join the Parks Board to help with the creek and other projects that need to be addressed. Take part in your city! (more) Posted by Eden's Gardener on Nov 9, 2008 8:43 PM Comments(0) Report as objectionable Why is this objectionable? (please leave contact info if not a registered user) Submit Please wait... Community Interest Slug Submit E-mail this City Council Meeting Well tonight I witnessed something I almost couldn't believe. The item regarding the creek was put back on the agenda as a reconsideration and action, and apparently, due to a technicality, being it had to be worded as a consideration not a reconsideration for reasons I am still unclear on, the item was removed and not even really discussed. For what could have been a typo - they dropped it. And, it came to light that they have already started to spray. So, in an effort to keep them from spraying a second round, Ms. Taulbee is putting the item on the agenda for the rescheduled council meeting of the 20th - that is next Monday. Several citizens made very valid presentations, myself included, that address the issues of fiscal responsibility and the validity of the so-called solution to flooding. This is what I said in Citizens' Comments. (more) Posted by Eden's Gardener on Oct 13, 2008 11:14 PM Comments(2) Report as objectionable Why is this objectionable? (please leave contact info if not a registered user) Submit Please wait... Community Interest Slug Submit E-mail this Isnt' there a better way? Like working with nature... First of all, I would like to preface this by commending the city manager for aggressively tackling the issue of flooding in our city. I truly think his intentions are valid and required by a city manager who cares about his citizens. I am also glad to see a few members of our city council getting involved and looking at the information for themselves, listening to their constituents and seeking information and encouraging participation from professionals who live in our city and beyond. However, there are many citizens who are a bit concerned and even frightened by the solution that it is being proposed and others who just want more information. My two main questions remain unanswered regarding this whole issue - and perhaps to many, surprisingly, neither have a lot to do with the issue of what they want to spray with, but why they are taking the steps to spray at all. I am a proponent of doing things organically, that is no secret. However, if in an extreme situation arises, I suppose there may be times when an alternative solution may be used - by someone who is an expertly trained and (when required) licensed professional. Is this such a situation though? If we can afford to clean up the vegetation after we have paid for it to be sprayed (with a potentially risky not to mention very expensive chemical) - then why can't we just do this manual work before it is sprayed and save everyone the added money and any fear associated with potential risk? Shouldn't creek maintenance be an ongoing project anyway? The weeds will continue to return as new seeds germinate each year, and those lying dormant come up, causing the need for perpetual applications and continued costs, risks and consequences to the environment and residents. Round-Up type chemicals do have a long term residual in the environment in many situations and can lead to damage in wildlife and desirable vegetation - especially as they wash or carry downstream in the water or wind. This is a known fact - just Google it. The guys that spray this stuff will be required to wear protective gear and have to wait till there is virtually no wind - for safety reasons. Are we going to then quarantine the creek areas where they were sprayed to keep children out until safe to return? The chemical is most effective on actively growing vegetation - and much of what is going to be sprayed now is going dormant - and only during certain temperature ranges. Are we relying on those that stand to make the profit from our money if it doesn't work the first time, second time, etc., to advise us? (i.e. the company selling us the service and chemical) Additionally, there is perhaps the more important fact that doing all of this will raise the level of the creek-bed with more sediment as erosion takes place because the root systems of the vegetation are killed off (whether removed manually or not) which will of course mean that there will be more flooding as the creek-bed's level will become more shallow downstream. Are we simply passing off a problem to neighbors who live further downstream? Who lives downstream? Do you? From what I understand, we have paid, or are paying, for a comprehensive study by engineers who are trained to resolve these very kinds of issues yet we are not waiting to see what they recommend. Another long time engineering consultant for the city has not suggested this action be taken. Other professionals I've spoken to with creek and tree management areas of expertise have also suggested that this is NOT the way to go. There is no quick fix for building up a neighborhood on a creek-bed. It needs a long term plan. Why are we taking these matters into our own hands when we are not necessarily skilled to do so? What happens when the flooding becomes more severe? What do we tell our residents when this herbicide spray ends up in their yard and damages private property/landscaping? or worse. Yes, it can happen. Why are we acting before we have all of the facts? I grew up in a home that flooded - sewer water flooding - so I am no stranger to this nor am I unsympathetic. I am concerned however that we are not really resolving anything, but throwing money away and creating a much worse and more expensive problem to be fixed later. Send crews in to remove dead debris and trash, sure. Require home-owners to keep their section of the creek clear of these things - fine. We require them to mow their lawns etc. Living on a creek-bed comes with some responsibilities, too. And, for those unable to afford or unable to physically get in there to do this, we can offer assistance - just like we do with the mowing. That is what a good service project could consist of for a youth group, Boy or Girl Scouts, public service workers needing credit hours, etc. Can't we all work together on this? Please. Posted by Eden's Gardener on Oct 10, 2008 9:40 AM Comments(0) Report as objectionable Why is this objectionable? (please leave contact info if not a registered user) Submit Please wait... Community Interest Slug Submit E-mail this