Salado Creek Foundation

Here's A Better Plan

Feb 15, 2001

Do you want to be safe when it's flooding and have a naturally beautiful, healthy place to learn and play when it's not raining? The Salado Creek can be that place!

We believe that's why San Antonio voters passed Proposition 3 last year. We also believe that as creek property is acquired and developed, we must have a system in place that supports the concept of Best Management Practices.

Many people who've watched the Salado Creek suffer through many ill-conceived attempts at flood control are thinking about exactly what we can do to get what we want...safety and fun! We believe we can achieve both vital objectives if we come up with a cost effective watershed management plan that works.

Here are some ideas that have been developed by people who care about this special place:

1. Mayor Howard Peak has promised that a "Creeks Coordinator" will be selected to oversee the investment of the $20 million dollars in tax money generated by Proposition 3. Many people believe that coordinator should be empowered to ensure that both flood control and riparian protection are provided equal attention.

2. Some are suggesting the creation, by the Public Works Division, of a permanent, full-time, dedicated creekways management team.

The creeks team should receive specialized and continuing training in Best Management Practices.

The team should include at least one field supervisor, a sufficient number of laborers and one versatile rubber-tired piece of machinery with a variety of implements.

The team's mission should be to thoroughly and sensitively enhance the flow capacity of the stream and at the same time preserve the natural characteristics of the riparian zone.

The team should have access to or support from a chipper, so that material can be mulched on site, adding cover to areas of disturbed soil and eliminating the need for trucking.

3. And finally, since San Antonio is blessed with a large number of incredibly enthusiastic volunteers willing to work to improve our wonderous natural resources, the Creeks Coordinator should work to establish collaborations with organizations interested in providing volunteer labor to assist in these efforts.

City planners are about to begin another budget planning cycle. If you want to help protect and enhance the quality of life in this rich and diverse watershed, please consider forwarding your thoughts about this plan to Public Works Director Tom Wendorf at twendorf@ci.sat.tx.us.

Your children say thank you.

If you have additional questions or need more information, please e-mail us at: clubsalado@aol.com