My Trinity River News - May 2009

News from the River (Cont.)

System Study Proposed by City of Dallas (con't)

The Dallas Floodway System protects an estimated $7.3B of the City’s tax base. This System Study is required to identify and address any potential issues specifically in regard to the floodway.

“All of the partners in this solution - are working together to create a system wide approach to make all of the components of the Trinity River Corridor Project work within the main goal of strengthening the levees to make them meet the new standards,” said Mayor Tom Leppert.

“Without the Trinity River Corridor Project, the City would not have a federally authorized Corps of Engineers project that provides the mechanism for the City and Corps to cost share in these activities. Every public works project big and small – and this one is enormous – faces obstacles and challenges. The City and all of our partners have the talent and dedication of many people who continue to overcome obstacles and meet every challenge,” he said.

Briefing to City Council on June 10, 2009

Four City issued contracts valued at approximately $29M will contribute the data and analysis required for the System Study. This was presented to the full City Council for consideration on June 10, 2009 and it was approved. The study will take a year to be completed. To view the briefing to the City Council go to www.dallascityhall.com and click on the Corps logo in the top center of the Home Page.

View Mayor Tom Leppert’s speech from June 1, 2009 at http://www.dallascityhall.com/pio/levee.html.

Calling all Entries!

On June 30, 2009, the Trinity River Corridor Project will launch its first photography contest. Photographers of all ages are welcome in the following categories: pro, amateur and youth. Photos will be accepted featuring the Trinity River, Great Trinity Forest, wildlife and structures/architecture of the Trinity River Corridor Project. Maps and other details will be available soon.

Clean off those camera lenses Dallas and get outdoors!

On May 22, Univision TV broadcast their 5:00 p.m. newscast live from the Trinity River Audubon Center, Noticias 23. It was a beautiful evening and the crowd loved it. See a clip from the newscast here.

Big Hearted Volunteers Plant Wetland Cell G

These starter plants were placed in the shallow water at the edge of the 25 acre wetland paradise. Further up the stepped banks, Winter Rye, sowed during the winter but now golden brown with impressive seed heads, provided a soft rustle of sound while Great White Egrets and other aquatic birds circled over the water.

At this cell location, the Trinity River is 150 feet away and sluice gates provide controls to keep the water in the cell at a steady level which is conducive to the growth of the plants during the summer. At other times, the water level can be dropped so that plant seeds have an opportunity to drop into the muddy banks and germinate there.

When Bank of America representative Mary Beth Barnet was asked to share her thoughts on the planting, she indicated that the corporation looks at ways to give back to the environment and believes in sustainability. She also commented on the volunteers surprise and pleasure to learn about the Great Trinity Forest and the flood control projects such as the wetland cells.

http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/facility/laerf.html.