CULLMAN — With treacherous terrain and environmental regulations leaving few options to get in and clear downed trees from Eight Mile Creek in Cullman, officials hope to go airborne instead. The city is eyeing a plan that would use helicopters to airlift the debris from the creek and drop it at a designated site.

The city has received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, via the Natural Resource Conservation Service, to clear debris left over from the April 27, 2011 tornadoes that hit the area. Numerous trees were thrown into the Eight Mile Creek waterway during the storm, which is causing water flow issues and threatening to damage some city infrastructure. The affected area runs between U.S. Highway 278 to Lake Catoma.

“We do have some major sewer lines crossing Eight Mile Creek,” Cullman Mayor Max Townson explained. “If the water was to rise, and move some of those logs, it could cause some real damage.”

But, city officials have to act fast because the grant expires on July 31. Between now and then they have to commission engineering work, seek environmental approval, bid the work and complete the debris removal before the deadline is reached.

“If we did it the conventional way, we would have to build roads and get equipment in,” city risk management director Tom Charney said. “Then, if any equipment got into the water, we could be fined [for environmental concerns].”

Considering the limited ground access at the site, and the tight timetable, Charney recommended using helicopters to complete the work quickly.

“That would be a green-friendly way to do it, and it could be finished in about two weeks,” he said.

The city hopes to host a community meeting for those who live around the creek soon.

In an effort to expedite engineering work and determine the logistics of exactly how and where the debris would be moved, the city council has hired St. John and Associates to provide professional services on the project.

Officials hope to begin work as soon as possible.



In other business, the council:

•  Approved a request from Street Superintendent Rick Henry to go out for bids on a small roller in the estimated budgeted amount of $15,000.
•  Approved a request from Fire Chief Edward Reinhardt to purchase a covered utility trailer and an open A TV trailer in the budgeted amount of $3,000.
•  Approved a request from Fire Chief Edward Reinhardt to send 6 firefighters for Advanced EMT Training in the budgeted amount of $9,500.
•  Approved a request from Police Chief Kenny Culpepper to go out for bids on one or more 4-door sedans, 2011 or newer model.
•  Approved a request from Sanitation Superintendent Larry Jones to go out for bids on a 2012 Front Loading Garbage truck with full eject high compaction front loading packer body.
•  Approved a request from CRMC Foundation and CRMC Service Guild to close Clark Street NE and 2nd Avenue NE on Friday, April 13th and Saturday, April 14.
•  Approved a request from Brian and Tonya Mattox to host a 5K & Fun Run at the Festhalle Market Platz on March 10'h, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. to raise funds for Hope for One Less Orphan.
•  Approved a request from Animal Control Officer Rodney Banister for a travel advance of $180 to attend the National Animal Control Academy from February 19th until February 25th, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri.
•  Awarded the bid on the North Pump Station Improvements to the lowest responsible bidder, Apel Machine & Supply Co., in the amount of $198,500.

* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.