Levee compliance work underway [The Rushville Republican, Ind.]

May 25--RUSHVILLE -- Several local officials met Thursday to compare notes and put into action a plan that will insure the levee on Rushville's east and south sides is up to snuff with respect to FEMA maintenance and related documentation requirements. The Rushville Street Department is responsible for performing a myriad of maintenance and upkeep chores as set forth by the Army Corps of Engineers, who constructed the levee as part of a partnership involving the city of Rushville, the state of Indiana and the federal government. Street Department Commissioner Jemmy Miller said those maintenance tasks are and have been completed as outlined in a large manual the Corps left with the city following completion of the levee. Likewise, he said those steps -- such as mowing the grass that covers the levee, repairing erosion sites, filling holes dug by animals, and testing the functionality of several flood-control flap gates -- have been well documented. Miller said inspectors visited the city in March of this year and the only areas they said should be addressed are a few trees that have grown closer to the levee than is acceptable and the fact that an automated early warning monitoring device is not operational. The monitoring system was originally connected via phone lines to a computer at the Rushville Police Department. It was unhooked "six or seven" years ago because it frequently malfunctioned, setting off an alarm at the police station when there was no threat of high or rising water. Since then water levels have been monitored manually when heavy rains or snow melt have led to concern about rising water or flooding. It was noted at this week's meeting that the city has not been given a firm deadline for addressing the removal of the trees in question or repair of the early warning monitoring system, but it was agreed by all present that both issues should be rectified as soon as possible. It was decided that Rush County Area Plan Director Bill Todd and Wilbur Hoeing, the project coordinator when the levee was constructed, will investigate repair and/or replacement options for the monitoring system and Miller will initiate removal of the trees in question, as well as double-checking all maintenance and documentation just to make sure nothing has been missed. In a worst case scenario the levee could be decertified by FEMA for non-compliance, which would lead to costly increases in flood insurance coverage for many local homeowners and businesses. Those participating in Thursday's meeting were in agreement that was not a likely development providing that the two primary areas of concern previously detailed are addressed in a timely fashion. Present at this week's meeting were Rushville Mayor Merv Bostic, City Utilities superintendent Les Day, Miller, Rush County Surveyor Marvin Rees, Hoeing, Todd and Parks Department director Danny Mathews.

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