By Ryan Lewis
Correspondent
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. -- After major flooding in and around South Pittsburg nearly six months ago, repairs and preventive work are slow getting off the ground.
Entire neighborhoods have flooded at least five times in the last 10 years because of clogged drains and mountain logging, which takes away natural water barriers and creates increased water velocity, city officials said.
South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian said repairing the bend in a creek in the Richard City area and building a detention pond on Third Street are critical projects that must be completed as soon as possible.
But he said state government is taking a long time to approve permits for the work.
"If you ever wonder why there is frustration with the state government, here's a good example," Mr. Killian said. "There is no reason on earth that those permits could not have been granted within 30 days of the application."
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation spokeswoman Meg Lockhart said the Chattanooga field office received the city's aquatic resource alteration permit application several months ago, but it was incomplete.
"It's our understanding that the city plans to construct an inlet and outlet connection to the stream, which would require (such a permit)," she said. "However, there were no plans or details included with the application."
South Pittsburg administrators hired engineering firm Arcadis in Chattanooga to complete the engineering work and permit applications, but the final paperwork has not been submitted to TDEC, officials said.
City crews are working on at least 20 smaller projects that did not require a permit, Mr. Killian said.
Mr. Killian said he expects the Richard City project permit to be approved first, but he's working to ensure everything is properly submitted to TDEC.
"Whichever one we're approved for first, we'll go to work on immediately."
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.
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