STATEMENT OF E. M. SHAFTER, CITY MANAGER, ROYAL OAK, MICH. Mr. SHAFTER. My name is E. M. Shafter. I am city manager of the city of Royal Oak. The CHAIRMAN. What is the population of Royal Oak? Mr. SHAFTER. About 32,000 people. The CHAIRMAN. How long have you been city manager of Royal Oak? Mr. SHAFTER. I have been city manager of Royal Oak since 1932, and am quite familiar with the situation under discussion. On behalf of the city of Royal Oak, Mich., and at the direction of the mayor and city commission, I respectfully submit further testimony relative to the flood-control problem of the Clinton River and its tributaries. Our particular problem concerns Red Run Creek, one of the tributaries of the Clinton River, which serves as the outlet for the storm water drainage from an urbanized area of 41 square miles comprising eleven different political subdivisions with an estimated population of 130,000 people. Although the drainage area of Red Run covers less than 10 percent of the total area of the Clinton River watershed, nevertheless it serves more than 50 percent of the population of the entire drainage basin. The city of Royal Oak is located in the southern part of Oakland County, with an estimated population of 32,000 people and comprising an area of approximately 12 square miles. All of the urban area lies within the drainage basin of Red Run Creek, which meanders in a northeasterly direction about 11 miles before reaching the South Branch of the Clinton River. The Red Run Creek serves as a natural outlet for a drainage area of 10 square miles and has a total fall of 29 feet from its source to its outlet, or aproximately 2.63 feet per mile. Prior to the urban development in the southern part of Oakland County there was little trouble experienced on account of flood stages in the main channel of Red Run Creek but since the realization of a very large residential development in this area during the period 1920-45, together with the installation of an extensive system of large county drains having their outlets at a common location at the head of Red Run Creek, there has been a tremendous increase in storm water run-off with a corresponding shortening in the time of concentration. Due to the narrow, crooked, and inadequate channel of Red Run Creek the storm water discharged by the large enclosed county drains heads up in the channel and during periods of major storms the water backs up in the large drains and connected sewers for long distances. As a result many basements have been flooded causing extensive damage to property. Such conditions also seriously affect the social welfare and security of hundreds of families. If such damage could be translated into monetary values, the resultant sums would be far greater than the estimated annual cost of providing the necessary flood-control measures to remedy these conditions. During the flood periods of May 1943 and May 1945, the basements of hundreds of homes were flooded causing an estimated physical property damage in excess of $10,000. The dollar value of the inconvenience, loss of time and mental anguish suffered by the occupants of these homes is difficult to determine. Seven major storms have occurred during the period of 1929-45, all of which caused flood conditions which resulted in considerable property damage and untold personal inconvenience and suffering. The accompanying map of the city shows the areas which were most seriously affected by backwater in the local drainage system. There is also attached an exhibit of photographs of various locations along Red Run Creek during the flood stage of 1943, together with the views of the creek at the same locations under normal conditions. (Map and photographs on file with committee.) Mr. SHAFTER. The people of our city are ready and willing to cooperate to the full extent of their ability to improve sewerage and drainage facilities as evidenced by the fact that they approved the city's participation in the planning, construction, and financing of the so-called Southeastern Oakland County Sewage Disposal System which was placed in operation May 1, 1944. This utility serves 11 of the political subdivisions in southern Oakland County. Untreated sewage from these communities is no longer being discharged into Red Run Creek except when it becomes necessary to bypass the sewage during periods of heavy storm water run-off. It is fully realized that local authorities must assume the responsibility of maintaining the channels of Red Run Creek and the Clinton River subsequent to the construction of any remedial flood-control measures. However, we respectfully call attention to the fact that the construction of the extensive network of local sewerage systems and large enclosed county drains, made necessary by the urban development in these communities, has cost millions of dollars and all of the communities in the drainage district are still struggling to meet the outstanding bonded-debt obligations incurred during the period of 1920-30. Under the present unfavorable fiscal conditions of the city and due to State statutory bond limitations, it will be extremely difficult to finance the city's share of the expense involved in constructing necessary flood-control works; nevertheless, some feasible method of financing these improvements must be found. It is also realized that the proposed improvement at the mouth of the Clinton River is urgently needed to alleviate flood conditions in the vicinity of Mount Clemens, Mich., but at the same time we wish to point out that the city of Royal Oak and other communities in the drainage basin of Red Run Creek should not be impeded from proceeding with the necessary engineering studies and the preparation of plans for remedial flood-relief measures to alleviate existing flood conditions in this particular section of the Clinton River drainage basin. The improvements sought after in the Red Run Creek will not adversely affect the planned improvements at the mouth of the Clinton River according to the findings of the Army engineers who conducted a survey and submitted a report covering these matters. In fact, according to the Army engineers' report [reading]: any improvement in Red Run would increase its discharge rate, would route its flood crest through the Forks storage area farther ahead of the crest from the principal tributary areas and thus tend to reduce maximum flood stages. I believe it can be said without fear of contradiction that the improvement of Red Run Creek as a storm-water outlet is the most vital and urgent problem confronting the city of Royal Oak and other communities in southern Oakland County at this time. Until the existing conditions are remedied, it will not be possible to secure any financial assistance through the Federal Housing Administration in the residential development of large areas now adversely affected by the backwater from Red Run Creek during major storms. This situation has seriously retarded the construction of many homes so urgently needed for industrial workers and families of returned veterans. As further evidence of the city's desire to cooperate in this intercounty drainage problem, we are submitting a certified copy of a resolution adopted by the City Commission of Royal Oak, February 6, 1939, signifying their intention of assuming their proportionate share of the expense involved in the maintenance of the flood-control improvements for the Clinton River and its tributaries which were being considered by the Federal Government at that time, approved August 28, 1937. We desire to express our appreciation to your honorable body on behalf of the city of Royal Oak for the opportunity of being heard in this matter and we hope that further consideration will be given to this most perplexing flood problem which continues to constitute a most serious menace to property, health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this community. The CHAIRMAN. What damage would be done to Red Run if this project is constructed? Mr. SHAFTER. There would be no damage. In southeastern Oakland County, including the city of Royal Oak, there is a concentrated urban population of 130,000 people, and the Red Run serves as outlet for all the storm water in that area, which is about 41 square miles, and although the 41 square miles is considerably less than 10 percent of the total drainage area of Clinton River, nevertheless, that small area houses 130,000 people or more than 50 percent of all the people in the entire Clinton River Basin. The CHAIRMAN. Did you appear at the hearings when this matter was being investigated by the district engineer and advocate that Red Run be included? Mr. SHAFTER. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. You submitted statements? Mr. SHAFTER. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Is there any other part you want to emphasize? Mr. SHAFTER. I just want to emphasize the point that we are in favor of the improvement of the cut-off at the mouth of the Clinton River along with consideration for the improvement of the Red Run Creek and its upper reaches which affect our people. The CHAIRMAN. Have the people at Mount Clemens ever stated that they would oppose participation in any taxes that might be required in the event the Chief of Engineers recommended a project for the improvement of Red Run? Mr. SHAFTER. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. They have indicated that they would oppose that? Mr. SHAFTER. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. And you reciprocate my saying until that is in you oppose being taxed? Mr. SHAFTER. We would like to have the Red Run problem considered along with the Clinton River problem. The CHAIRMAN. If it is not included what is your position? Mr. SHAFTER. If it is not included, we will persist in our efforts to find some way to bring about the improvement of Red Run Creek, because when local communities themselves are unable to solve a problem that seriously affects the property and the health and the safety of the community, and the local agencies cannot accomplish that, then, we have to go to State agencies and the Federal Government for assistance. The CHAIRMAN. You do have a definite flood problem there. The CHAIRMAN. Is there any other matter you want to bring to our attention? Mr. SHAFTER. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. We are glad to have had your statement. Mr. Dondero, your next witness. Mr. DONDERO. The next witness is Mr. Loyd E. Brady, city manager of Hazel Park. STATEMENT OF LOYD E. BRADY, CITY MANAGER, HAZEL PARK, MICH. Mr. BRADY. By direction of the Hazel Park City Council, I wish to state as follows: The city of Hazel Park comprises an area approximately 12 miles in width and 2 miles in length, and is bounded by Detroit on the south, Ferndale on the west, Royal Oak Township on the north, and Macomb County on the east. Its 18,000 population is chiefly occupied through the large automotive industries of Detroit as are its some forty-odd light manufacturing concerns and tool shops. The city is primarily a residential community, having in excess of 6,000 moderate-class homes, and while it is ideally situated in relation to the over-all trend of growth in the Detroit metropolitan area, for this type of development its growth has been extremely retarded because of the high cost of building and maintaining homes necessitated by, and due to, drainage factors and flooding hazards. Under these conditions, FHA has approved no housing projects in Hazel Park. The city is currently spending approximately $30,000 each year, or about 15 percent of its total budget, to recondition the streets and unclog the sewers. For this reason, improvements of a permanent nature are virtually at a standstill and must remain so until the larger problem of improving Red Run is solved. Private damage expenses stem from two principal causes; basement flooding and street flooding. Basement flooding: An annual damage of $4,000 from basement flooding can be reasonably well estimated from reported and observed losses. The major items of loss are washing machines, heating plants, and workmen's tools. Instances of damage in a single basement are known to have exceeded the above amount, although these should probably be treated as "freak" occurrences and are not included. These losses will continue, for in spite of public warnings issued, the citizens fail to prepare to meet these conditions. A survey, a summary of which is attached, was not made for this report, but the information is usable on these points. I would like to submit for the record at this point two exhibits. The CHAIRMAN. They may be inserted in the record at this point. (The exhibits are as follows:) EXHIBIT No. 1 Survey City of Hazel Park-Re sewer system, 1944 The 2,499 city sewer users were circularized by means of a two-way postal card There were a total of 549 replies received from the 2,499 requests sent out, approxi♦ mately 22 percent. Results of the replies are tabulated as follows: No. 1. In what year was your home built? 1920 and prior_._. 1929 and prior_ 1939 and prior_ 1940_ 1941. 1942 1943. 1944. No answer_. 23 257 62 22 36 31 11 0 107 549 Total___ No. 2. Do you have a basement? Yes__ No.. No answer. Total---- No. 3. Does your basement flood? Yes__ No answer.. Total___ No. 4. Do you have gate-valve or back-up trap? Yes No... No answer_ Total_____ No. 1. Houses built 1939 and prior....... Houses built 1940 and after_. No answer. Total... 348 195 6 549 254 150 145 549 119 248 182 549 No. 2. Basements_. No basements. No answer_ Total_____ No. 3. Basement floods. No flooding No answer. Total_ No. 4. Gate valves.. No gate valves_. No answer. Total NOTE.-27 percent reporting no flooding; 22 percent have gate valves to prevent same. |