A plan would use $220,000 in federal money to clear clogged drainage areas. It's a short-term solution that would start with the worst areas.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET, Times Staff Writer
Published July 22, 2005
TRINITY - With the rainy season in full swing and stormwater backing up in parts of Trinity, county officials are working on a plan to clear debris from some of the clogged drainage areas.
The plan, which awaits County Commission approval Tuesday, would involve removing vegetation from ditches in Trinity Oaks, Wyndtree, Chelsea Place, Oak Ridge and the Reserve at Oak Ridge, said Michele Baker, program administrator for the county's engineering department.
The county has about $220,000 to cover the work - left over from a pot of federal dollars to remove storm debris from Pasco's flood-prone spots. The work would have to be finished by Sept. 30 to qualify for the funding.
"We plan to tackle the worst locations first, and when the money runs out, we are finished with that portion of the project," Baker said Thursday. "Then we'll wait and see the big picture of how the puzzle fits together."
She said the plan would provide some short-term relief while officials continue looking at long-term solutions to the Trinity area's drainage woes.
The county and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, or Swiftmud, are splitting the cost of a $500,000 study to identify the drainage problems and solutions in Duck Slough, a sprawling basin that encompasses the greater Trinity area.
The study should be finished by Oct. 15.
Last year's hurricanes submerged some of the roads in Nature's Hideaway, Trinity Oaks and Thousand Oaks, among other areas. The drainage problem has been most dramatic in Thousand Oaks, where the roads began crumbling just two years after they were paved because of prolonged water exposure.
Before county crews can clear any debris, Baker said, they will need the blessing of the homeowners associations that own the drainage areas. The exception is Oak Ridge: That neighborhood has two meandering drainage easements, totaling about 2 miles, which were dedicated to the public, Baker said.
Still, county officials plan to hold a public meeting with residents of Oak Ridge and other areas before starting the work, she said. The time and place have not yet been determined.
"We can go in there and do this work, but it's behind their yards," Baker said. "We want to explain to them what we're doing and answer their questions."
State Sen. Mike Fasano, who offered last week to help find funding to fix Trinity's drainage problems, applauded the plan.
"The county has definitely stepped up to the plate to try to solve this problem before we get any more storms or hurricanes coming through," said Fasano, R-New Port Richey.
"I appreciate that and I know the folks in the area do as well."
Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is bhall@sptimes.com
