Action Steps for the Harris Creek Watershed Project

   The Community and Watershed Plan is out for a 30 day Comment Period.   Meanwhile,we need not be collecting dust under our feet,but become fully engaged in building Community that will sustain the Watershed Efforts.   In the graphic cartoon depicting the Journey that we took to successfullly develop the Watershed Plan,we listed "Cleaning" first.....followed by "Greening" as the way to develop a strong Community. As one observor once stated,"you build Community by promoting fairness and justice".....and this is what we intend to do.   We will start with (1) "Cleaning".....and continue our Efforts to rid the Backyards and Alleys of Trash by a constant bombardment of DPW 311 line reporting SRs or Service Reports (they have two weeks to clean these sites up)......(2).We will get rid of the Trash Bags in the 246 Watershed and replace them with metal Trash Cans. It is incredible that we have let City Services allow Trash to be placed in plastic Bags at the front of the Alleys to be picked up by DPW workers. This underground subculture way of dealing with  Trash in this way needs to stop. The continued damage that comes with Bags of Trash easily being broken into and serving as a food source for RATS and the Health Problems associated with this activity can no longer be tolerated. It is a Preventable Problem and our Mayor and City Council Members need to be part of this Solution.   Placing Trash in Trash Bags can best be stopped by providing metal and durable Trash Cans. We are asking for 5000 Trash Cans that freely be made available to residents in the 246 Watershed . The cost here is very cheap ($14 each) when contrasted with the Benefit that it will bring.....(3) We will be requesting an Opportunity to sit down with Director Al Foxx,the New DPW Director to discuss New Ways to take care of Trash Pickup in the 246 Watershed.   Presidents of at least three Neighborhood Associations have requested a Change in Trask Pickup and would like to see Front of the House Trash Pickup......this way,they can see who is putting out the Trash the right way.....and try to influence those doing it the wrong way (ex.Trash Bags).......This would be a Great Way to get Community Members policing their own Neighborhoods. We hear always the Criticism that the Residents need to step to the plate and do more.  Well,here is an inexpensive way to get the Ball Rolling....by providing Free Trash Cans.....and listening to New Ways to do a Better Cleanup Operation.


 As we continue the Cleaning Phase,we can start to promote more Greening Activities and give  Pride to the Community of 17 Neighborhoods by providing City Farms,places to have Events to engage the Youth,Faith based activities etc.  Part of the Watershed Plan will be to eventually hire a Community Director to oversee many of these Activities. Some of this is unclear at the present time,but what is Important is that the Development of the Harris Creek Watershed Plan is about to unfold as the Funding Opportunities become available under the Newly Formed Watershed Alliance.

    Respectfully,Raymond D.Bahr MD