Henderson OKs plan to control erosion in Pittman Wash

By Conor Shine

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011 | 11:34 p.m.

The city of Henderson and a group of residents and environmentalists have come to an agreement over how to control erosion caused by storm runoff flowing through the Pittman Wash.

The agreed-upon solution will be more environmentally friendly than the original plan but will add about $800,000 to the initial $4.5 million price tag.

The two groups had been at odds over a plan to build a concrete channel through a stretch of the wash from Arroyo Grande Boulevard west toward Valle Verde Drive.

Runoff from storms has caused serious erosion in the wash, carrying sediment and large rocks downstream, threatening a sewer line and a railroad trestle, and costing the city about $6 million over the last 10 years in maintenance costs.

But residents worried that the project as originally proposed would drastically alter the natural flood channel that winds through the heart of Henderson and is home to varied wildlife and vegetation.

After months of meetings, the City Council approved an alternative structure at its Tuesday night meeting.

The new plan calls for construction of an arch culvert, which will function similarly as the concrete channel but will be built into the wash’s north bank and covered with dirt, rocks and natural vegetation.

The arch culvert will allow for the wash to be returned closer to its original state, while still reducing erosion, city engineer Scott Fiedler said.

The culvert, however, will cost about $800,000 more and must be engineered and then approved by the Clark County Regional Flood Control District, which would fund the project. That could delay the start of construction by up to nine months.

“We think this option is beneficial to all concerned,” Fiedler said. “(But) this option would be more expensive to construct.”

The city explored six options. It held about half a dozen meetings with residents to address concerns and gather feedback.

Residents appreciated the city’s willingness to work with them on the project, said Evelyn Gajowski, vice president of Project Green. The local, non-profit group oversees a three-mile stretch of Pittman Wash and has served as a liaison between the city and residents.

“We believe that in the long term this option offers the best opportunity to restore the eco-system,” she said.

Councilwoman Kathleen Vermillion, who lives along the wash, applauded residents for getting engaged and being willing to work toward a compromise.

“This hasn’t been an easy solution for us to arrive at,” she said. “I do want to commend the volunteers and members of Project Green for improving the quality of life for all of us...This is a wonderful long-term solution.”