The Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) has proposed changes to the White River flood control levee project. In their January 2011 Environmental Assessment (EA) titled Indianapolis, White River (North), IN Flood Damage Reduction Project Phase 3B and Environmental Mitigation, ACE outlines a "Proposed Action Alternative". The EA states that the proposal will increase design safety and reduce project costs. The proposal is based on recent changes in floodwall design.

The original project called for a levee wall to be built between the canal and the White River. The new proposal describes moving that wall to the other side of the canal, putting it between the canal and Westfield Boulevard.

The Gazette received a statement from the Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association, whose boundaries include this section of the canal.

"Last week the Butler Tarkington Neighborhood Association Board of Directors received an Environmental Assessment prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers involving Phase 3b of the White River Flood Damage Reduction Project. According to the Assessment, the Corps has developed plans to relocate a segment of the Project to the south side of the canal.

The new plans call for the construction of a concrete floodwall along Westfield Blvd. from Capitol Ave. west to Butler University. The floodwall would extend as high as 6 feet in certain areas and requires a root-free zone of 15 feet. Consequently, the new plans necessitate a 30 foot wide clearing of trees along the canal.

Obviously, the new plans represent a material change from previous proposals and may significantly impact the Butler Tarkington Neighborhood. We encourage residents to review the Assessment and to submit comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by March 4, 2011. A copy of the Assessment can be found on our website at butlertarkington.org."

Residents can send comments by March 4, 2011, to Wm. Michael Turner, CELRL-PM-P-E (Room 708), US Army Corps of Engineers, PO Box 59, Louisville, KY 40201-0059, or via email at michael.turner@usace.army.mil or by calling (502) 315-6900.