Lincoln Officials Highlight Benefits of Stormwater Projects

Lincoln Officials Highlight Benefits of Stormwater Projects

Published on October 24, 2024

City invites residents to learn more about stormwater bond on Nov. 5 ballot

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director Liz Elliott, and flood management experts today highlighted projects included in a proposed stormwater bond that will appear on the November 5 ballot and invited residents to attend a community meeting to learn more. Stormwater bond projects are intended to protect families, homes, and businesses from the impacts of flood water.

If approved by voters, the proposed $13.9 million bond would fund over 20 stormwater infrastructure improvement projects across the city. These stormwater improvement projects would address flood risks, stabilize streams, improve water quality, and support the preservation of healthy aquatic environments in parks citywide. The bond is projected to cost a median Lincoln homeowner approximately $9.65 annually, or 80 cents per month, starting in fiscal year 2025-26.

"Over the years, our community has faced its share of heavy rains and flooding events," Mayor Gaylor Baird said. "Through careful planning and ongoing investment, we've been able to reduce the impact of these events, safeguarding people and property. Stormwater bonds have been a consistent part of this strategy, enabling us to fund projects that protect against flooding, improve water quality, and ensure the durability of our infrastructure."

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird at the news conference were Mike Sousek, Lower Platte South Natural Resources Manager (NRD); Bruce Dvorak, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Environmental Engineering Professor; and City Councilmember Tom Beckius.

Director Elliott said each stormwater project would contribute to reducing flooding impacts across the city through watershed and urban storm drainage efforts, stream stabilization, parks drainage projects and water quality improvement through additional street sweeping to remove pollutants.

Proposed stormwater improvements include:

• Urban drainage projects at the railroad underpass at 48th Street and Cornhusker Highway, and 10th Street and Park Avenue area
• Stream stabilization projects on the Southeast Upper Salt Creek near 27th Street, and Middle Creek near SW. 40th Street
• Parks drainage projects on Beal Slough at the Pine Lake Trail underpass rehabilitation, and on the Mahoney Park channel stabilization
• Continued work on the Deadman's Run flood reduction project
• Street drainage emergency funds
• Citywide inlet top repairs
• Street sweepers
• Urban drainage studies

Elliott said that the City of Lincoln has declared 10 major flooding disasters that have affected the community dating back to 1950, the most recent floods occurring in 2019 and 2015. Since 1977, Lincoln residents have approved all 15 stormwater bonds offered to the community.

Sousek said the City and NRD have a history of identifying projects through joint Watershed Master Plans that identify community needs to help reduce flooding and stream erosion, and to improve water quality and protect natural resources. If the bond measure passes, he said, planned stream stabilization projects include work to protect public and private infrastructure in the Haines Branch, Southeast Upper Salt Creek, Middle Creek, and Upper Wagon Train watersheds.

Dvorak cited a study of streambank erosion in Colonial Hills Park near 70th and Pioneers Boulevard that found erosion was a major source of sediment and nutrients that negatively impacted water quality in downstream waterbodies like Holmes Lake. The City has since stabilized the stream in Colonial Hills Park, improving the water quality downstream, he said.

"Based on past and current research monitoring studies performed in Lincoln, we know that the type of projects proposed in this bond issue will help reduce pollution in the waterways, prevent erosion, protect aquatic habitat, and overall improve water quality in Lincoln," Dvorak said.

Beckius noted recent examples of extreme flooding in the southeastern U.S. as reminders that stormwater infrastructure projects help prevent and manage floodwater and mitigate the loss of property and lives.

"The impact of the mitigation strategies is why I joined my fellow Council members in voting to place the stormwater bond before Lincoln voters this year," Beckius said.

The Stormwater Bond Education Virtual Public Meeting is from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 30. Visit lincoln.ne.gov and select the banner at the top of the website to be directed to the virtual meeting link. Learn more about proposed stormwater improvement bond projects at lincoln.ne.gov/2024stormwaterbond.