Hick Creek study due Sept. 10; meeting scheduled

First Posted:

Eileen Cipriani Dispatch Correspondent

A public meeting has been called by Luzerne County Engineer Jim Brozena to discuss the draft of the Hicks Creek Hydrologic and Hydraulic Study on September 10 at 6 p.m. in Wyoming Area Secondary Center. The long awaited study is what Exeter Borough officials and flood weary residents hope will solve the borough’s flooding issues, but, according to Tom Barnard an engineer and member of Hicks Creek Watershed Association (HCWA), the study is flawed. Barnard is recommending council postpone the meeting until procedural and technical issues with the report can be addressed.
The H&H study was undertaken by the county to find the best solution to the flooding problems in Exeter. The preliminary results of the study determined that removing a railroad culvert near Route 92 and opening a second culvert in the levee are the best options. Opening the area of the railroad culvert will eliminate the constriction of the flow of Hicks Creek and a second levee culvert will allow the water to flow quicker from the creek to the river while the floodgates are open. According to the study, the extra storage capacity in the creek will reduce seepage into basements. The study does not support the need for a new pumping station in Exeter Borough.
At this week’s council work session, Barnard explained his concerns regarding the study to council.
Among the technical issues, Barnard questions the use of a 24-hour rain event model for the study. Recent flooding events in the borough have extended over several days. In addition the summary of existing problem areas used in the study was complied using out of date data, new FEMA maps will not be completed for another 3 years. The new maps will delineate Zone A flood areas along Hicks Creek and many homes will be included in the high rate flood insurance zones.
Barnard feels the draft report should have been available to the public, in a “readable and understandable” format. The report, as written, is difficult for homeowners to understand. He also advises that the project record should be public and include all explanations, addendums and revisions to the draft report. He is asking council in addition to postponing the meeting until all the issues surrounding the report are resolved to press County Engineer Brozena for follow up meetings.
Council Chairman Murawski stated he intends for the September 10 meeting to be the first of many meetings. He anticipates that it would take 2 years to remove the railroad culvert and insert another opening in the levee. He also feels the September 10 meeting with county officials is important to notify the public what the options determined by the H&H study are. Council member Esposito agreed and urged the public to come to the meeting and make the county address the issues Barnard has sited and any other questions homeowners might have. Mayor Coyne also encouraged residents “to show up in force at their meeting”, and let county officials know that the flooding issue is very important to Exeter.
Borough Solicitor Peter Moses agreed to send a letter to the county on the behalf of the Borough and HCWA to request answers to the issues discussed at the council work session prior to the September 10 meeting. If you would like to read the H&H study, it is available on the HCWA website at www.hickscreek.org.