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Board approves amendment to Tetra Tech NRCS canal study; engineers push for focused, practical solutions
Summary
Supervisors approved Amendment No. 7 to the Tetra Tech Professional Services Agreement to continue an NRCS-funded study of off-site flows into the county canal system. Board members asked the consultant to prioritize alternatives that directly reduce town flooding and requested a pre-retirement work session for the county engineer.
The board approved Amendment No. 7 to the Tetra Tech professional services agreement to continue work under an NRCS grant studying off-site flows into the Graham County canal system and alternatives to reduce flooding in towns.
County Engineer Michael Bryce described the project as large in scope and long-running: "They're studying the flows that come into the canal from off-site and then flood the towns." He said the study area has been extensive and that the latest amendment uses NRCS funds to continue the work.
Supervisors voiced impatience with the timeline and urged the consulting team to select alternatives that would yield practical, affordable solutions rather than conceptual or overly complex ideas. One supervisor asked whether staff have the institutional knowledge in place as the county engineer approaches retirement; Bryce and other staff confirmed they would remain available and that a wrap-up work session was needed.
The board voted to approve the amendment and asked staff to schedule a work session before the county engineer’s retirement to "pass the torch" and review study progress and recommended alternatives.
Ending: The Tetra Tech amendment keeps the NRCS study moving; the board emphasized prioritizing alternatives that directly reduce flood risk to towns and requested a work session to transfer project knowledge before staff changes.
