Volunteers will NOT be in Beaver Creek today (Aug. 12) chopping out debris. Frequent rains have raised the creek to unsafe levels.
Enhance Powell, the volunteer group that organized two cleanups which never happened, has regrouped with a new plan. Lt. Jim Wright of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office is working with Roy Arthur, county watershed coordinator, to train inmate volunteers to clear debris two days a week until the work is done.
KCSO operates prison industries, which makes inmates available to nonprofit groups. Inmates helped Enhance Powell clear the land that is now the disc golf course at Powell Station Park.
Dennis Irwin floated Beaver Creek, identifying and mapping 27 obstructions from Central Avenue Pike to Clinton Highway. But Arthur says the largest obstructions are on the upper end. So inmates will be directed to the area from Brickyard Road to Clinton Highway, an area with fewer major obstructions.
Enhance Powell is committed to this project. Watch for updates here and at the Powell Business & Professional Association website at www.powellbusiness.com.
Note: This writer is co-chair of Enhance Powell.