- NRCS (feds) instructs Nephi City to stop ATV riding in catch basins
|
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
OK, folks, stop riding your ATVs at the two catch basins east of Nephi.
One, the Miller Debris Basin, and the other, the Biglow Debris Basin, were constructed to protect the city from debris which, on a regular basis, was flowing into the city and causing damage.
“We have one year, beginning August 26, to complete the list of requirements,” said Randy McKnight, city administrator.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has instructed Nephi City Council members, via letter, that ATV access to the Miller Debris Basin must be eliminated to the structure by using fences and signs to discourage traffic on the structure.
McKnight said that fencing on the east side of the structure will need to be installed and the gates in that fence will need to be replaced.
Signs will also need to be posted warning ATV riders that the dam is not the place to enjoy the sport.
“NRCS is responsible to ensure that dams installed through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program are adequately maintained to protect the public investment in the dam and to ensure public safety,” said Sylvia A. Gillen, State of Utah Conservationist.
The Miller Debris Basin was built under the program.
NRCS is also requiring the city to repair existing ATV damage and erosion by replacing fill, compacting and regrading to the original design grade.
The city must also see that all woody vegetation on the embankment, upstream and downstream, be removed and controlled.
Rodents on the dam must also be controlled.
“As defined in the O&M (operation and maintenance) Agreement for the structure, the assigned watershed project sponsor is responsible for maintaining dams installed through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program,” she said.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is the Federal agency that works in partnership with the American people to conserve and sustain natural resources.
When the dams were constructed, said McKnight, it was determined that the city would be responsible for the Miller Debris Catch Basin, and Juab County would be responsible for the Biglow Debris Catch Basin.
The Nephi City Miller Canyon Debris Dam is on the Miller Canyon River in Juab County and is used for flood control purposes.
Construction was completed in 1963. It is owned by Nephi City.
“As a Scout, I planted trees, along with other Scouts, on the outside of the dam,” said Mark Jones, mayor.
As he recalled, he said, those trees were Russian Olives.
“Now they want Nephi to remove all woody vegetation on the inside and outside of the dam,” said Jones.
Today, however, most of the woody vegetation consists more of the sage brush and native plant varieties and not Russian Olive trees.
Nevertheless, Jones asked if there would be any relaxation of the requirement of removing all the woody vegetation because, at one time, Scouts were encouraged to plant there.
“We could see if those plantings were in the design originally approved by the federal government or if the plantings were added informally and without approval,” said McKnight.
The Miller Canyon Debris dam is of earthen construction and has a length of 1,350-feet. The edges have been worn down by ATV recreational use and will now need to be brought back up to standard, said McKnight.
Maximum discharge is 133 cubic feet per second, which helps the community in that it prevents the floods which were historic in the area. Its capacity is 90 acre feet with normal storage at 50 acre feet. It drains an area of one square mile.
The Juab County Biglow Debris Dam is on the Biglow Canyon River in Juab County and is used for flood control purposes.
Construction was also completed in 1963 but it is owned by Juab County.
The Biglow Debris Basin is of earthen construction and has a length of 1,665 feet.
Maximum discharge is 133 cubic feet per second. Its capacity is 106 acre feet. Normal storage is 65 acre feet. It drains an area of 4.1 square miles.
McKnight said that a joint inspection of each facility is performed by NRCS, Nephi City and Juab County.
Gillen said that a rehab assessment report was completed by NRCS in May of 2006 as part of the Watershed Rehab Program and a copy was sent to the city.
“Please refer to that document for information and opportunities relating to upgrading your dam to meet current dam safety performance criteria,” said Gillen.
“If you are interested in upgrading the structure to meet current dam safety criteria (hydraulic, seismic, etc.) the NRCS Rehab Program may provide up to 65 percent of the costs to upgrade the dam,” said Gillen.
Eligibility for the program, she said, mandates compliance with the O&M Agreement.
The latest maintenance inspection, which took place recently, she said, showed the need for the repairs being required.
“This letter is to provide notice that watershed dam maintenance work is necessary to remain in compliance with the operation and maintenance agreement with the NRCS,” said Gillen.
The work needs to be completed to insure that the dam is safe and functional for the purposes of the project and the agreement.
|
