Below is FEMA's announcement regarding funding for the replacement of the Lake Bella Vista dam in Bentonville.
We hope Bentonville's pursuit of our tax dollars will motivate people who appreciate our natural resources to attend the City Council Meeting on October 13th to show their support for restoring the flow of Little Sugar Creek instead of re-damming it. Let's show the politicians and bureaucrats that we don't want this dam. Let's STOP THE BENTONVILLE DAM PROJECT.
Thank you,
Greg Van Horn
Friends of Little Sugar Creek
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
FEMA Region 6
Sept. 29, 2015
R6-15-062
FEMA: 940-898-5454
News Release
Arkansas Awarded More Than $2.7 Million for the Replacement of the Bella Vista Lake Dam
DENTON, Texas – The state of Arkansas has been awarded more than $2.7 million for the replacement of the Bella Vista Lake Dam in Bentonville. This comes in the aftermath of the 2011 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.
The storms and ensuing flooding overtopped the entire length of the Bella Vista Lake Dam resulting in extensive erosion; a loss of support beneath the dam’s concrete slope cover; and damage to much of the structure’s other sections of concrete.
The funding, which is made possible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program, covers the demolition, removal and disposal of the original dam, as well as the materials and labor required to build the replacement dam.
To date, FEMA has obligated more than $50.1 million for the 2011 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas.
The funding represents a 75 percent federal cost share. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Arkansas; the state then disburses the grant to the eligible applicant.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIENDS OF LITTLE SUGAR CREEK ADVOCATE FREEING LITTLE SUGAR CREEK
AND SAVING TAXPAYERS’ MONEY
Organizational meeting set for Oct 6 at Pedaler’s Pub
The Friends of Little Sugar Creek will hold a meeting at Pedaler’s Pub on Tuesday, October 6 at 6 pm to provide information about the benefits of freeing Little Sugar Creek, give an update on recent developments and solicit support for like-minded citizens to attend the October 13 Bentonville City Council Meeting.
The Friends of Little Sugar Creek is a group of concerned citizens who are advocating for a cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to the restoration of the dam that created Lake Bella Vista in 1915. In 2008 the dam was classified as a “failed” dam by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, listing the cause of failure as “hydrologic deficiencies and faulty material.” Rather than spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars on its repair, Friends of Sugar Creek advocates for allowing Little Sugar Creek to once again follow its natural path. Freeing Little Sugar Creek would recreate a living flowing Ozark waterway; eliminate the unsightly and harmful algae blooms which de-oxygenate water and kill aquatic animals and plants; and provide new opportunities for family recreation along the creek. Removal of aging and unsafe dams is happening nationwide. Communities benefit from improved ecological conditions of rivers and streams and it helps cities and towns meet water quality requirements.
The flow of Little Sugar Creek was blocked to create Lake Bella Vista in 1915 when a poorly-engineered dam was constructed to quickly and cheaply create a lake to support real estate development and provide recreation for a new resort. By 1925, guests were complaining that the water in the lake had become murky and was no longer suitable for recreation which is the situation that exists today. For more information about Friends of Sugar Creek and the history of the stream contact the Friends of Little Sugar Creek Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/friendsoflittlesugarcreek" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
