Nov 19, 2009 7:06 pm US/Pacific
Levee Leak Raises Flood Fears For Marin Homeowners
HAMILTON AIR FORCE BASE (CBS 5) ―
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Water is seeping under a large levee that separates homes from an estuary on the former site of the Hamilton Air Force Base runway in Marin County.
CBS
A $400 million transformation of the old Hamilton Air Force Base runway into a massive wetlands area has led to large pools of dirty brown water flooding parts of one Novato subdivision.
The City of Novato said water is seeping under a large levee that separates the homes from the estuary.
"I'm concerned for the neighbors," said John Coleman, who has been advocating for homeowners upset about the water. "If it rains it definitely could (flood). We are supposed to have 40 percent more rain than last year. That would be a major problem."
The Army Corps of Engineers, which is doing the wetlands work, said it's not their responsibility. The City owns the levee. At least 25 homes sit along it. A developer who plans to build another 25 homes nearby is threatening to sue the city unless they stop the leaking.
Dave Harlan, Novato's chief civil engineer, said the city has hired a contractor to place drainage diversions where the leaks are.
"The water is going under the levee not through it," said Harlan. "If something new shows up we can use some of the designs we have for this current seepage collection project."
Homeowners aren't thrilled. For one, the project has taken months to get going. Two, Hamilton has been plagued with environmental problems. Pollutants from the old air force base seem to pop up all over. CBS 5 has done a number of stories at the site over the years.
There's no indication that the water leaking from the levy is toxic, but it is very wet. Bob Moritz, who lives across the way, is worried.
"I'm shocked. I haven't heard anything," said Moritz. "I'm seriously thinking about flood insurance."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Environment & The Green Beat
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