As originally published in the April 12 issue of The Mountain-Ear newspaper.

Brandy Hale, Coal Creek.

The Coal Creek Canyon Watershed Partnership (CCCWP) is completing restoration of the areas affected by the 2013 floods, including a large project to remove the culvert through which the creek flows through town and to open the flow to prevent extreme flooding in the future. The organization is also continuing restoration, landscaping and willow planting to make the river more resilient to future floods upstream from town.

The organization, which was formed through FEMA following the devastation to roads, driveways and homes in 2013, is facing an uncertain future. With the projects of the Master Plan nearing completion and federal funding ending in June of this year, community input on the future of CCCWP is needed. Several other towns that suffered flood damage in 2013 already had committees or groups in operation that could direct restoration projects, but Coal Creek Canyon had to create an organization to direct the efforts and to be accountable for federal funds. According to assistant director Jackie Doust, “The question is whether the mission of CCCWP has been met, or whether the community would like it to stay to handle other issues.”

Suggestions of priorities were offered in a survey prior to the February 22nd meeting, with forest and fire management, flood resiliency, and bank stability and control winning the top three spots over educational workshops, aquatic species management, riparian and invasive species management, and water quality concerns. Community willingness to fund was highest for forest and fire management and water quality.

Since its creation, CCCWP has cleaned up and restored the creek, upgraded culverts at intersections, tested over 200 wells, held community education events, installed an early flood warning system, funded eight canyon residents for flood rehabilitation and developed a “Resilient Crossings Handbook.” Future funding suggestions from the community included a summer party fundraiser, contacting downstream municipalities that also have an interest in the health of the canyon, and business and corporate donations. So far, however, no funds have come through to cover costs past June. Funding until June is being used on Reaches 1, 3, 6 and 9 where engineers and landscape architects are restoring or redirecting creek flow for erosion control and flood prevention, and reach 8 in town center, which will help protect residents downstream, though staff is looking into other state and federal routes for possible future funding.

There are no more scheduled meetings for CCCWP, and donation requests have been mailed to Coal Creek Canyon residents. For additional information or to see the minutes and suggestions offered at the February 22 meeting, go to www.cccwp.org. Residents can also make PayPal donations through the website. Free water testing is offered to residents, and bottles for bacteria, uranium and metal can be picked up from the office located next to Coal Creek Canyon coffee.