2003 Year in Review

Battle of French Creek

At its meeting on February 26, 2003, the Morrison City Council discussed the cleaning of French Creek in those areas where city property borders the creek. Administrator Woith sent out Requests for Proposals for the clean out which were published in the local press on March 18. At its April 14 session, the Council considered proposals from Morgan Excavation and J. A. Dickey Excavating, both of Morrison.

Morgan proposed to use a huge grinder on tracks to mulch the trees and debris to within 2 inches of the ground, leaving the mulch on site. Dickey, on the other hand, proposed to remove the debris in the standard manner of cut and haul. The Council accepted the Dickey proposal at $8,700, some members noting that Dickey’s work is a proven quality. In addition to the clean out, the finished project will provide residents a walking path on the south side of the creek adjacent to French Creek Preserve.

Since the Great Flood of June 2002, the creek has become an eyesore, a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and a potential health risk. French Creek has many spots where fallen trees, brush, and debris from the flood impede the free flow of water. Fallen trees at the entrance of the creek into French Creek Preserve have created barriers so that pools of stagnant water have formed, creating large patches of toxic waste that, as the weather becomes warmer, will be attractive breeding beds for mosquitoes and other such vermin. These pools of water rise following a rain, but only fall to a certain level because of the blockage.

I brought this problem to the attention of the Council at its February 12 meeting (Whiteside News Sentinel, February 18, 2003, page 1). Administrator Woith stated at that time the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had informed him “the Illinois Natural Resource Conservation Service was responsible for keeping the creek clear.” The Council proposed to look further into the matter.

The following week I received a copy of a letter to Sarah Thorndike, editor of the Whiteside News Sentinel from Mark Kaiser, District Conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Field Operations Area 4 (NRCS). Kaiser stated emphatically “FEMA and the City are misinformed that NRCS is responsible for keeping creeks clear; private landowners are responsible for maintaining creek channels on their own property.” While “severe flooding of Rock and French Creeks does cause major problems for…Morrison and surrounding area…Congress has not considered this a major natural disaster.” Thus, it has not provided any funding for clean up through the Emergency Watershed Program.

I contacted Mr. Kaiser and we agreed to meet on Friday, February 28, to inspect the length of French Creek from approximately Sawyer Road to IL 78. During our inspection tour, Kaiser made suggestions on cleaning the debris from the stream, “sawing trees off that are hanging into the channel, and pulling trees out that fall in, which prevents logjams from occurring.” The suggestions were well meant, but they obviously are not viable alternatives for the residents bordering the creek, given the magnitude of the task.

Most of the serious blockage and debris, however, is not bordering residents’ property but confined to the French Creek Preserve area, from the Jackson Street entrance to the park to the IL 78 overpass. I have a web site with photos illustrating the serious nature of the situation:

wdriver01.home.mchsi.com

The photos, made in late February, early March, show the various types of blockages that already exist and places where others may occur. I will update this web site as conditions warrant and as the contractor clears the creek area.

The City is doing justice to all citizens of Morrison in undertaking this task. It needs to completed as quickly as time and weather conditions allow, preferably before the onset of the warm, humid summer season. With the spread of the West Nile virus into this region, local government needs to assure citizens it is taking every precaution to keep mosquito infestation to a minimum.

At the same time, a vermin-free, stench-free, meandering stream may entice residents to value French Creek Preserve as a desirable recreational area.

by William Driver, Guest Columnist
April 22, 2003