After repeated flooding across Washington County, local and state leaders are all looking for ways to address immediate problems along Catfish Creek while longer-term studies and permitting processes continue.
>>> PHOTOS: Steady rain leaves local areas flooded <<<
The push comes after heavy rain caused flooding last weekend, including damage to homes and businesses.
Stephen Schultz, whose business was flooded, said he is frustrated by how long it has taken to address the recurring problem.
“I get it — everyone is trying. We’ve got the Army Corps of Engineers working since 2018. Nothing ever seems to get done,” Schultz said.
At a meeting Wednesday, city engineer Sam Carroll said the Army Corps of Engineers has identified six problem areas in Washington.
“When you look at the creek, the pipes come out, and the ends are buried in sediment,” Carroll said. “It’s not all natural. It’s bricks and rocks and things people have used to stabilize it for the last 200 years.”
Carroll said addressing those areas requires a joint permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers.
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One section of the creek near Washington and Jefferson Stadium is part of the American Legion Stream Restoration Project, which local leaders refer to as the “Salamander Study.” Leaders cited the project as an example of the delays and paperwork that can slow work along the creek.
Washington Mayor Jojo Burgess questioned how long officials should continue studying the problem while residents and businesses face additional flooding.
“I think we need to have the discussion, the balance of studies for the salamanders versus people losing 30, 40 thousand dollars, losing foundations of houses,” Burgess said. “Where do we draw that line?”
One proposed short-term solution involves finding a blighted property along Houston Street that could potentially be used for a retention pond. Officials said that process could take more than six months to receive the necessary approvals.
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta said officials need to find ways to begin addressing the problem before long-term studies are finished.
“There has to be a way to start remediating the damage today,” Bartolotta said. “I don’t want to wait for another study.”
For Schultz, the need is immediate.
“There has to be a way. It’s not rocket science,” he said. “We aren’t even allowed to dredge the creek ourselves for whatever reason.”
The short-term plan now includes beginning a search for blighted properties that could potentially help with flood control and bringing the DEP secretary to the area to walk Catfish Creek.
Officials are also looking for ways to address immediate flooding concerns while the Army Corps of Engineers continues its long-term work on the Chartiers Creek watershed.
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