LINCOLN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) – A project to maintain the Ecorse Creek drainage is underway and is causing a stir among some community members because, according to county leaders, trees will need to be removed.
Wayne County Sanitation Commissioner Elmeka N. Steele says the project is the first of many necessary steps to curb an increase in flooding, clear drain blockages and improve access for future maintenance.
“We don’t cut down all the trees, but we cut down a lot of trees. And so we really want to make it clear to the public that a sewer serves a very important public health function. So we want them to start thinking about their sewers and streams like any other utility.” Steele said, “For example, if you are near power poles, you will not see large trees growing around them. The utility companies will remove those types of trees within their easements that could potentially cause problems or knock out power during heavy rain.”
“So drains fulfil the same kind of useful function. That’s why we are carrying out work within our drainage easement to remove trees that could potentially cause blockages in the future and to enable us to carry out further maintenance work.”
Watch our full interview with Steele in the video player below:
Interview: Wayne County Commissioner Elmeka Steele talks about the Ecorse Creek drainage project
Steele says it’s the best option given the amount of money they have available to address the long-standing problems. A study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that projects to fix the problems would cost over $500 million in total. The county decided to get the ball rolling rather than wait for more money from federal or state funds, and tapped into $10 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan.
“This is just the beginning of many necessary projects. The main objective of this project for us is to again ensure that we have a clear cap on the bank,” said Steele. “We’re also working in the spillway itself. We’re removing obstructions from the spillway. We’re removing some sediment. We’re doing some bank stabilization work. So I don’t want it to be portrayed as if the only thing we’re doing is just removing some trees from the bank edge.”
The objectives of the project can to find online.
The North Branch of the Ecorse Creek Drain serves as the primary stormwater drainage and disposal system for over 50,000 properties in the following towns, many of which have been flooded in recent years:
- Allen Park
- Dearborn Heights
- Ecose
- squid
- Lincoln Park
- Melvindale
- Romulus
- Taylor
- Westland
Over the past decade, Wayne County has experienced several disasters that have resulted in millions of dollars in claims for damages from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local municipalities.
“When it rains really hard – and that doesn’t happen every other day – but when it rains really hard, these dams build up and the pumps can’t keep up. “The city pump house is just not down the street,” said Lincoln Park resident Jeff McGinnis.
McGinnis says his basement has flooded several times since he’s lived in the area, and he would rather have less flooding than more trees.
“I think they’re doing their best to do the right thing here, and they’re complaining. Everyone seems to complain about everything. If that works even half as well as they think it does, it’s a good thing.” said McGinnis.
While some residents are grateful that at least some of the work is being done, others – particularly in the Allen Park area – are frustrated by the number of trees being removed.
“It just bothers me because of the privacy that separates us from the neighbors behind us,” said Lia Mijat, who has spoken to her neighbors about the problem. “It will also harm the wildlife we still have.”
They hope the focus will be on problematic roots rather than entire trees in their area.
We reached out to the Friends of the Detroit River, a group of community members that regularly advocates and organizes on water issues, and received this statement:
“FDR is concerned that excessive removal of large, healthy trees along stream banks could increase bank erosion and impact the habitat and natural aesthetics of the immediate area along the creek. We support efforts to remove debris and infrastructure obstructions in Ecorse Creek that increase the flooding problem and impact water quality.”
The group is working on a separate project along the watershed. For more information about this project, visit the Friends of the Detroit River website.
After the trees are removed, Steele said the restoration process will begin and they are working with environmental groups to re-seed. Depending on the weather, they expect the process to take six to eight months after removal.
Steele says only the stumps are removed to minimize regrowth.
County leaders have sent letters and held several meetings with stakeholders, including homeowners on their property.
They advise anyone with questions or concerns to send an email [email protected] or call 313-437-3155.
