Weakened creek regulation costly

Thank you, City Council, for public hearings on proposals to weaken current stormwater retention regulations, mostly affecting South Chickamauga Creek’s watershed.

This creek is a green, urban jewel awaiting explosive discovery upon completion of the South Chick Greenway, connecting the Riverwalk to Camp Jordan. It is a federally listed, impaired stream, housing two endangered species. The stream damage is mostly due to silt from massive development in the watershed. To help, in 2014 the city emplaced current stormwater retention regulations of 1.6 inch rainfall on site, only for this watershed. Elsewhere, it requires a 1 inch standard.

I watched in slack-jawed amazement as a parade of Realtors, lenders, builders and lawyers whimsically claimed the creek’s current standard should be reduced because it costs them money. Because apparently the South Chick’s watershed is magical: In the city’s huge footprint, their inability to develop this small area has eliminated Chattanooga’s affordable housing.

Meanwhile, the city states that lowering these standards will require new project construction to clean the creek — size, scope, and costs unknown. But we do know who’ll pay — us. While I want our developer friends to make money, private profit must not come at public expense.

Lisa Lemza