Driftwood remains topic at BCC meetings

  At  a recent meeting of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners, Alex Kish talked about the Driftwood Estates drainage problems. He said Driftwood had a drainage problem in 1996 and an MSBU was enacted. Later the residents informed the county of drainage problems. He said residents were told the county had easements for drainage, but this was wrong. The county accepted funds from a developer and agreed to fix problems. He said there are still many problems and the drainage situation is worse. Kish said the fix is not working. He asked the commissioners to enact the original Tetratech Plan to pipe water out of the neighborhood and consider an MSBU for the phase II part.

 Greg Graham with county engineering told commissioners his perception is that part of the fix is that the Edmond's outfall is to be opened up. He said this makes the recent storm water improvements look like they do not work. He said he is hopeful that when the outfall is opened then they should see relief in the ditches.

 Graham presented information on the drainage analysis. He said they modeled the entire watershed, looking at the interior and exterior drainage. Graham said he understands the desire to not have standing water in the ditches. He said the interior section does not have standing water because they optioned to use curb and gutters and retention. Graham gave an update on the work done in the interior section and what is still needed. Graham said they are not prepared to sign off yet, that there needs to be a wastewater certification.

 County attorney Burke said they have the agreement for the Edmond's property and the closing documents will be signed soon. Alan Brown with public works said the Edmond's outfall has been a point of contention and the blocked outfall holds back water. Brown said, according to Tetratech, until the outfall is opened, the ditches can not drain properly.

 One resident told commissioners she has not had a problem, but after the county dug a deep ditch as a retention pond, she now has problems.

 Alan Osborn took the podium and told commissioners they have the plan to fix the problem. He said the estimated $5 million cost is not needed because an ordinance will require the work to be done by property owners. He also agreed the Edmond's outfall is a problem. Osborn also pointed out the county is not in possession of the easements on the west side.