Source: Eagle Times (N.H.)
Newport, N.H. -- The area around the Newport Golf Club (N.H.) has long been recognized as a flood hazard because of its proximity to the south branch of the Sugar River.
Now the golf club wants to do something about it.
Nick Catsam, sales and marketing representative for the club, approached Newport selectmen Monday night and asked about a federal grant program that would allow the construction of a flood retention pond near the 18th hole of the golf course.
The grant, if awarded, would provide 75 percent of the construction cost through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. Catsam said the golf club would pick up the remaining 25 percent, but can only apply for the FEMA grant through the town.
FEMA has already appropriated $ 255 million for the grant program, said golf club attorney David Campbell, so no local tax dollars would be needed.
Additionally, Campbell said, the proposal has the preliminary support of James Gallagher, chief engineer with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and about a dozen property owners near the golf course.
In a letter to the selectmen, Gallagher wrote, "The Sugar River and its branches have been the source of severe historical flooding in the town of Newport."
Gallagher went on to explain that in response to a 1982 study that showed flood damage from the river, plans for 10 flood control dams were developed by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. However, due to environmental concerns about building the dams, only one was built in Goshen.
"As a result, runoff from nearly 90 percent of the watershed remains uncontrolled and continues to cause flood damages to the Newport Golf Course and other structures in Newport," Gallagher wrote.
Newport's recently compiled Hazard Mitigation Plan pointed to the golf club as one of the primary areas for potential flooding in the town.
"The damage just gets constantly worse and worse," Catsam said.
Town Manager Dan O'Neill said he thought the retention pond was a great idea but he wants to make sure other town officials aren't applying for the same grant.
The selectmen showed enthusiasm for the proposal and called the golf course an asset to the town. However, at the suggestion of Selectman Gary Nichols, the board decided to hold a public hearing on the golf club's proposal during its Feb. 7 meeting.
