Texas approves coal plant in Arkansas

Nothing like the arrogance of a Texan!

The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas


Texas Regulators Approve Arkansas Coal Plant

By John Lyon
The Morning News
LITTLE ROCK - The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday approved Southwestern Electric Power Co.'s proposal for a coal-fired power plant in southwest Arkansas.

SWEPCO, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, received approval for the plant from the Arkansas Public Service Commission in November, but the company also had to submit applications to regulators in Texas and Louisiana, where many of its customers live. Louisiana regulators approved the proposal in March.

The Texas commission voted 2-1 Thursday to approve SWEPCO's proposal for a $1.52 billion, 600-megawatt plant in Hempstead County.

"The Texas commission's approval of the John W. Turk Jr. Power Plant means Texas customers will continue to benefit from a reliable and affordable supply of electricity in the years ahead," AEP Chairman Michael Morris said in a news release. "Coal is essential to meeting the growing energy needs of our region and our country, and we are putting new technology to work in a facility that will generate electricity more efficiently with less environmental impact."

John W. Turk Jr. served as president and CEO of SWEPCO from 1983-88.

The Texas commission rejected the recommendation of Administrative Law Judge Wendy Harvel, who said in January that SWEPCO had failed to show a need for the plant.

SWEPCO had said it would build the plant with or without approval from Texas regulators, though a denial would have meant that Texas customers' rates could not be raised to help pay for the facility.

Hunting clubs and landowners in Arkansas who oppose the plant, claiming it will harm the local environment, have appealed the Arkansas Public Service Commission's ruling to the state Court of Appeals.

An application by SWEPCO for an air permit from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality is pending.

We all have to be thankful for the small rain we got in the past 24 hours. It may save some lives because firework use is out of control tonight

If you are at home trying to cover the ears of your cats and dogs to keep them from going crazy or running away from home as the firecrackers go off, try playing this a few times. The dogs and cats may sing along. I know you will!

Ray Charles sings American the Beautiful in old-fashioned soul style

Thanks to Alderman Nancy Allen for sharing the link.

Downtown General zone? Why not Neighborhood Conservation?

Please click on image of native-stone house and giant catalpa trees uphill from Spout Spring Branch in south Fayetteville, Arkansas. This lot and adjacent blocks in the area would be zoned Downtown General rather than Neighborhood Conservation if the Walker Park Neighborhood Master Plan is not revised.

When I advocated closer study of geography and existing homes in the Walker Park neighborhood before the rezoning plan is approved, I was thinking of many places.
Here is the intersection at the far northeast corner of the Walker Park master plan and it is in blue on the concept plan as "downtown general." I was wrong about that being Mary Carr's house, which is a block north on Huntsville.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO PROTECT In this photo:
Riparian zone of Spout Spring Branch starts part way down this lot this corner lot or it certainly starts in the adjoining lot. Any disruption of soil or anything else on this property would be within what should be the no-build zone to protect the Beaver Lake Watershed and would imperial the quality of the stream.

GIANT catalpa trees are pretty common in this part of town but are being taken down regularly. Here here are examples worth saving.

Native stone houses are disappearing rapidly in this part of town and here is an example worth saving. I know, it isn't of as high quality as the one removed from the land of the late Ray Adams on S. School Ave. to make way for Advance Auto, but it is a wonderful dwelling and of historic value.

Mill Ave., of course, is the extension of E. South Street leading northeastward from the narrow block that was discussed by Tony Wappel in the council meeting this past Tuesday.

Enjoy the holiday!

Nancy Allen epitomizes integrity

Please click on image to ENLARGE PHOTO OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER NANCY ALLEN at the June 30 meeting of Ward Four residents.


The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas

Allen Not Seeking Re-election
By Skip Descant
The Morning News
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/07/02/news/070308fzallen.prt
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/07/02/news/070308fzallen.txt

FATETTEVILLE - Fayetteville City Council member Nancy Allen announced Wednesday she does not plan to seek re-election.
Allen has also remained mostly silent on what her plans might be.
"I have not given any thought to what I might want to do after my time on the council has ended, but I do know I will not be happy sitting at home eating Twinkies and watching 'Mister Ed' reruns. So, I will find ways to continue to be involved," said Allen, a long-time teacher in Fayetteville public schools.
Allen, 61, who represents Ward 2, came forward with a statement Wednesday saying she did not plan to seek re-election.
"After months of soul searching, I have decided not to seek re-election for Ward 2 Alderman," wrote Allen, a one-term alderwoman, in her statement.
"The council has been the most interesting job I have ever had," she continued. In addition to her time spent as a school teacher, Allen has also served on the Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission and the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods.
"It has also been disillusioning. I have discovered that I am not a politician, but I regret none of it and am proud that I did not deviate from the things I said I would do, stood up for my principles, asked hard questions, and have not been intimidated," she wrote.

The Times article shortens Nancy's e-mailed announcement to the news media. Here is the full version:
"After months of soul searching, I have decided not to seek reelection for Ward 2 Alderman.
"I have served as president and vice president of FCON (the council of neighborhoods) for two years each, six years on the Planning Commission, and two years on the City Council and find I would like to take some time for other things I care about and enjoy.
"Serving on the council has been the most interesting job I have ever had. It has also been disillusioning.
"I have discovered that I am not a politician, but I regret none of it and am proud that I did not deviate from the things I said I would do, stood up for my principles, asked hard questions, and have not been intimidated.
"I will hold to those values as I continue through my elected term.
"I have given over half of my salary to social programs that were affected most by the budget cuts. Doing that has given me great pleasure. And, while the money will be gone, the passion is not. I can still work for these programs.
"I am proud that, when serving on them, I have never missed a meeting of FCON, the Planning Commission, or the City Council.
"Some of my personal highlights during my term have been being invited to eat Christmas dinner at the High Rise, voted outstanding alderman by a labor union, presenting rings to the FHS Bulldogs for winning the State Championship, and being a part of renaming 6th Street to Martin Luther King Boulevard.
"I have met many wonderful people I would not otherwise have known. Thanks to the people of Ward 2 for putting your faith in me these past two years and allowing me to serve my beloved Fayetteville."

I hope Nancy's friends in Ward 2 will let her know how much they appreciate her service. And maybe suggest she change her decision before the day comes for official registration as a candidate.
Nancy resigned from the Council of Neighborhoods and announced her candidacy for the council position after Don Marr resigned from the council less than half-way through his second term. That was right after the council was stampeded into voting to approve the Divinity Hotel across Dickson Street from Collier's Drug store and the U.S. Post Office. Thanks to a couple of long-time Fayetteville residents who filed suit against the city for passing the project it was never built and the developer got invited to bankruptcy court for some of his previous mistakes. Meanwhile, Nancy led the effort to limit building height on Dickson Street, something those who loved Fayetteville back when Fayetteville was cool could appreciate.
Her announcement was the start of what I expected to be a serious change for the good on the council. Women just seem to understand the needs of people more than a lot of men. At that time I thought we were headed toward a truly "kinder, gentler, more thoughtful council."
This announcement diminishes my hope for such a change. But maybe another highly principled woman will step up and campaign for the seat. Fayetteville needs men and women who care what the people think and care about. And Nancy's example should certainly inspire someone else, man or woman, with integrity to make the sacrifice to seek the position and take the responsibility.

July is buttonbush month in Northwest Arkansas wetland areas and along streams and ditches

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE PHOTO of Buttonbush inflorescence on World Peace Wetland Prairie on June 2, 2008.


I have been asked why I discourage people from using radical clearing methods on wetland prairies, especially small parcels and urban parcels such as World Peace Wetland Prairie.
One of the main reasons is that some prairie and wetland native species need to grow tall and strong and not be cut back or burned off if they are to reach their full potential.
The buttonbush is among the easiest to identify in this category at this time of year. The buttonbush is a sure marker of wetland when found growing in the wild. Its value to many species of wildlife is well-documented. And it is among the better native species for protecting riparian zones of streams from eroding.

Read what Texas A&M's Aquaplant Website has to say about the amazing buttonbush.
http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/database/emergent_plants/buttonbush.htm

WWW AQUAPLANT
Plant Identification

Bulrush
Cattail
Buttonbush

Description Management Options Other Photos


Cephalanthus occidentalis
Buttonbush is a woody shrub (3-10 feet tall) that occasionally grows into a small tree and can be found above water or in water up to 4 feet deep. It has shiny dark-green spear-or egg-shaped pointed leaves 3 to 6 inches long. The leaves are opposite or whorled in 3's or 4's along the stem. Flowers of buttonbush are easily identified by their greenish-white tube flowers in dense ball-shaped clusters about 1 inch in diameter. Seed heads are brown.
Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc. ). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called "detritus") for many aquatic invertebrates. Buttonbush seeds are occasionally eaten by ducks but the bush itself is used for nesting by many bird species.

Emergent Plant Index
Alligator Weed
American Lotus
Arrowhead
Banana Lily (Floating Heart)
Blue Flag
Bulrush
Bull Tongue
Buttonbush
Cattail
Common Reed
Cow Lily (Spatterdock)
Dollar Bonnet (Water Shield)
Floating Heart (Banana Lily)
Fragrant Water Lily (White Water Lily)
Frog's-bit
Giant Reed
Horsetail
Lizard's Tail
Maidencane
Mexican Water Lily (Yellow Water Lily) Pickerelweed
Sedges
Smartweed (Water Pepper)
Soft Rush
Southern Watergrass
Spatterdock (Cow Lily)
Spike Rush
Three-Square
Torpedograss
Waterleaf
Water Pennywort
Water Pepper (Smartweed)
Water Primrose
Water Shield (Dollar Bonnet)
White Water Lily (Fragrant Water Lily)
Willow
Yellow Water Lily (Mexican Water Lily)
Back to Top

Copyright (C) 2000-2008 Texas AgriLife Extension Service. All rights reserved.

Neighbors of Ruskin Heights green-washed development site remember what developers said when seeking approval

Developers put Ruskin Heights plans on display for public
BY KATE WARD Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Sunday, July 30, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/43276/
Area residents got the chance to examine several ideas for a proposed 28-acre neighborhood development on Saturday during a pin-up and public review session at Scarpino.

“ These really are the very first preliminary sketches, ” said project director Mike Watkins. “ There will be a lot more refinement in the next few days. ”

Watkins presented a PowerPoint presentation and explained the pros and cons of each design proposal for the neighborhood dubbed Ruskin Heights, which lies along Mission Boulevard, between downtown Fayetteville and the historical district. The project is anticipated to be mixed-use and open to a diverse range of residents. Preliminary plans call for dense housing as a means of preserving open space.

“ We’ve lived there for more than 50 years, ” said Ken Kvamme, a resident who lives next to the proposed land development. “ This is the last forest on Mount Sequoyah. I see lots of deer in my yard all the time — it’s a ripe habitat. ”

Kvamme also expressed his concerns over the effects the development could have on other residents.

“ They’re advertising for high density, but when the forest goes, we’ll have run-off problems, ” he said. “ My neighbor’s house got flooded when SWEPCO took just a few trees down. If they take down any more, we’ll all be in trouble. ”

Watkins said public input sessions give developers a chance to address residents ’ concerns.

“ I know a lot of you have concerns about building on a slope, and so do we, ” Watkins said. “ We’ve developed a model of the different slopes to measure the areas of trees and the width of slopes. We’ve used that model to develop footprints that show the way buildings will sit on the slopes. ”

Other concerns about the development centered on increased traffic along Mission Boulevard.

“ On 28 acres of land, we’re not going to solve all of Fayetteville’s traffic problems, ” Watkins said. “ But we can form an alliance with you to identify the problems and what needs to be done. ”

Watkins said creating a boulevard with trees would help slow traffic.

“ This is just one of the ideas we’ve taken into consideration, ” he said. “ We don’t take traffic speed and volume into mind. The concern we have is actually getting it from the state department. If we can’t even get a sidewalk, think about the time it would take to get a boulevard. If we could pay for one small section, maybe the state would be more inclined to pitch in. ”

Watkins went on to present a series of design schemes, the first of which included an extra turn on Mission Boulevard and a traffic light.

“ This is a radical proposal, ” he said. “ But if we were to add a light, you wouldn’t have to wait for someone to let you out. It also slows traffic down. Where the light occurs, we’re proposing a commercial venue that would allow drivers to look into store windows s they wait. ”

The plan calls for grouped housing that shares a common space.

“ We’d have a Ruskin Heights Bungalow with a garden, ” he said. “ It would include a lawn between them, so even the small houses would be able to have a big yard. ”

In the second design scheme, Watkins identified two main goals — locating commercial uses along Mission Boulevard and taking advantage of views.

“ It’s the most conventional of the commercial proposals, ” he said. “ The buffer between the commercial businesses and Mission Boulevard would be series of ponds that serve as storm water management. ”

The scheme also calls for scenic views accessible to all residents, rather than just those who live there.

“ We’d create a trail system to the hilltop, so it’s not sealed off from the appreciation of everyone else, ” Watkins said.

The plan includes an estimated 255 residential units — 40 percent single-family detached, 30 percent singlefamily attached and 30 percent multifamily housing.

“ The retail would be below the residential area, but on the same land, ” Watkins said.

The scheme suggests retail that can also be used for residential housing.

“ The mixed use could continue to the top of the hill, ” he said. “ We had the idea of adding a labyrinth as a public amenity. ”

The plan proposes attached buildings along high streets in order to capture the view for the greatest number of people. A loop around the development would create smooth traffic flow and a community center would stand at the peak of the property.

“ We also had the idea of adding a garden pavilion with garden plots that would be available to anyone in the community, ” he said.

The final scheme features an estimate of 330 units.

“ This scheme is interesting in how it addresses traffic, ” Watkins said. “ It would have an island with one way in and one way out. It would allow neighbors to visit the community center without having to battle the traffic on Mission. It still gives some of the retailers access to Mission and some of the units would be able to go from commercial to residential. ”

The plan calls for a pedestrian path over the ridge of the development, rather than a street.

“ This plan has the least amount of streets than the other schemes, ” he said. “ Essentially, it would just be one big loop around the whole site. In this case, everyone gets the views into the trees. At every turn, there would be some civic point of interest such as a space that a group of houses share.

“ Some people have said that they’d be open to the idea of having a slice of their yard made into a public space for a path. A lot of parents say their kids end up cutting through people’s yard when they walk to school. ”

Residents will have the opportunity add their own input during a closing presentation on Wednesday at the Fayetteville Town Center.

“ We’d like to zero in on one design by then, based on the feedback we’ve had so far, ” Watkins said. “ Nothing will be finalized, though. ”

Copyright © 2001-2008 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

Fayetteville's watershed issues ignored once again by newspaper writers

The people who didn't attend the Walker Park Neighborhood charette and the property at risk of being flooded and the potential damage to the watershed itself continue to be ignored by the newspaper reporters. Clearly, if the city administration doesn't believe those things are important enough to address, then the newspapers assume they are correct.
It reminds me of some of the newspaper stories I edited in the past when someone was beaten senseless in the process of what turned out to be a false arrest. The victim's mother's complaints were ignored and the sheriff's spin on the "mistake" was treated as gospel.
Experienced reporters go after the facts from all sources. The "official" view isn't always the important or accurate view.
Please see story below.

Walker Park neighborhood plan read once, discussed with more talk to come

http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/07/01/news/070208fzcouncil.txt
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas

Walker Park Rezoning Delays Neighborhood Master Plan
By Skip Descant
The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE - A change in the zoning for four parcels of property on South Street held up the approval of the Walker Park neighborhood master plan at Tuesday night's Fayetteville City Council meeting.
Fayetteville also became the seventh city in the local area to become part of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Mobility Authority.
The owner of the four parcels of land on South Street between College and Washington avenues petitioned the Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission to zone the property as "downtown general," a change from the "neighborhood conservation," the planning process had originally designated the area. Council members decided to delay approval of the plan until more input can be received.
The complete 304-acre master plan is expected to be approved by the council at the next meeting.
But the slight rezoning for South Street does not sit well with everyone.
"It's very narrow there," said resident Tony Wappel of the South Street and a move to allow a higher-density zoning.
"I'm all for revitalization, and making it more dense is going to be a problem," added Wappel, who expressed his endorsement of the overall master plan. The area already serves commercial uses.
And Fayetteville will join the ranks of Lowell, Rogers, Springdale and others by having a seat on the soon-to-be-formed Northwest Arkansas Regional Mobility Authority.
"What we are doing tonight is adding to our representation at the table," said Fayetteville Council Member Shirley Lucas. "We need to have our voice representing our citizens."
The council voted unanimously to join the Authority. The first meeting of the newly formed board is likely to be in August. The Authority will address transportation priorities and how to fund them by building consensus across the region.
A key concern for many residents has been the board's authority over levying taxes and other costs to fund road projects. Those decisions are left to voters, and the Authority then decides how best to use the money, said Scott Van Laningham, a vice president of the Northwest Arkansas Council.
Even decisions around building toll roads are left to voters.
"The initial toll has to be approved by the voters and then the subsequent increases are at the discretion of the RMA," said Jeff Hawkins, the director of the Northwest Regional Planning Commission.

Walker Park neighborhood rezoning plan to be considered by City Council tonight

Please click on image to ENLARGE.