Almost every major city in the country is dragging it's feet too. The Feds realize these are MAJOR undertakings and have yet to go after any major city (that I know of) requiring the separation of storm and sewer drains. The mandates will happen, but in time.tat2kc wrote: The EPA requires separate systems, KCMO is just dragging its feet in complying. Big surprise.
That said, I agree with knucklehead. What was constructed was put in place to save the Plaza from flooding and it's done a good job at that. The fact that there is even wide walk ways down by the water is a plus that we should be thankful for. Does it some times smell? Of course... but so do most lakes, rivers, and creeks at some point. I think people romanticize moving/non-moving water until the reality of it sets in. It's part of nature and not easy to control. Nature can be wild. A friend of mine thinks wild deer are cute, cuddly animals but I beg any one with that notion to try to go hug a deer! See what happens! Trying to control a waterway like Brush Creek during a rain storm is a much more dramatic event.
Are there things I would change in retrospect about the flood control project? Sure. Am I happy and content with what's in place today? Absolutely! I'm not ashamed to send or show people the walkway down there when they come to KC. It's nice and considering the shear volume of storm run off it handles dozens of times a year, it cleans up rather nicely in a fast way after the water recedes.
Am I missing something or does Brush Creek not do what it was supposed to do?