Year-round Health Means Winter Work

3 Arrested Following Drug Raids

By STEVEN DU BOIS; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Wednesday, January 21, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE- The Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority picked an
engineering consultant Tuesday to perform a feasibility study for the
construction of an inflatable rubber dam across the Susquehanna River. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Gannett Fleming Inc., of Harrisburg, was chosen over two other firms to
conduct the 18-month study. The county will soon begin contract negotiations
with the company. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The dam, estimated to cost as much as $14 million, is tentatively planned
for an area 200 feet upstream of the abandoned D&amp;H Railroad bridge south of
Kirby Park. It would create a seasonal lake for boating, fishing and other
family activities. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The authority wanted to look at all the economic, all the environmental,
and all the engineering aspects of the project in much greater detail," said
county Engineer Jim Brozena. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In a written statement, U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, the
project's biggest supporter, said, "I'm pleased that the Luzerne County
commissioners are moving ahead with the feasibility study on the inflatable
dam. I hope the study progresses as quickly as possible." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Here's a brief look at what Gannett Fleming's work will encompass. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Engineering: Perform a conceptual-level design of the dam and develop
construction, operation and maintenance cost estimates that will cover a range
of dam heights that fall within the project's $14 million budget. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Economic Analysis: Analyze the economic impact, including a look at the
potential recreation, economic development and land-use changes associated
with the project. Assess the market area and consider seasonal as well as
year-round economic factors for tourism, real estate values and increased tax
base and event and seasonal revenue. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Environmental Analysis: Consider the environmental changes that will take
place in the river and surrounding lands if the dam is constructed. Consider
long-term changes in areas such as water quality, sewage discharges, fish
passage, wetland loss, acid mine drainage and bank erosion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The firm will be responsible for delivering a technical report on these
matters as well as an executive summary, which the authority has asked for "in
a language suitable for understanding by the general public." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To encourage public participation, the firm plans to hold four public
meetings. Because negotiations have yet to begin, Brozena said the company
will likely start in March. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also Tuesday, the authority announced it will operate with a $13 million
budget for 1998 and scheduled a much-anticipated mitigation panel meeting for
Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The nine-member panel will oversee the distribution of nearly $20 million
to those adversely affected by the $147 million Wyoming Valley levee raising
project. More than 50 communities, spread over five counties, are vying f

Firm To Study Impact Of Dam The Report Will Focus On Construction Of A $14-million Inflatable Dam On The Susquehanna River At Wilkes-barre