STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis Council approved what’s called a Consideration of Corrective Action Alternatives Monday night for FEMA compliance violations on two Bear Butte Creek crossings. Sturgis Public Works Director Rick Bush says the violation is associated with culverts previously installed at the Blanche Street and Sly Street crossings over Bear Butte Creek following devastating flooding in He says they were installed without the required floodplain permitting and supporting hydraulic analysis. “But what it comes down to is when we originally put those in several decades ago, we didn’t go through the proper channels and get them permitted properly, and anytime you put something in the waterway, in that floodway, you have to ensure that there’s an absolute zero rise to any structures,” Bush told the council. Bush says Avid4 Engineering is helping to identify acceptable mitigation measures. He says they have come up with a relatively straightforward, corrective approach for the Sly Street crossing. However, the Blanche Street crossing presents additional challenges due to its proximity to two existing city-owned structures. Of several options that are on the table, Bush recommended the council approve the modification of the existing Blanche Street roadway elevation south of the crossing to create a controlled overflow location during significant flooding events. “Essentially, what we would do is we would lower a high spot in the roadway by less than a foot, and it’s to the south side of the creek crossing, Bush says. “And by doing that, the work would involve approximately 1,000 square yards of asphalt removal, about 500 to 600 square feet of the bike path, and 150 cubic yards of excavation.” The anticipated construction cost for the Blanche Street roadway mitigation improvements is approximately $125,000 to $150,000 and Bush says upon receiving the necessary FEMA concurrence and regulatory approvals, the Sly Street improvements be completed utilizing City Public Works personnel and equipment to minimize project expenditures. The Blanche Street improvements would be brought back to the City Council for final construction authorization, cost and funding approval following FEMA’s review. Share via: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More