A few weeks ago, the town council began work on Happy Creek in Front Royal to clear vegetation and sediment accumulation and stabilize 1300 ft along the creek banks. This work resulted in a decimation of what was once a beautiful scenic area, where a trail followed the creek's bank of dense vegetation, where birds and other wildlife had homes, where local children were brought to learn about nature, where leafy trees had shaded the creek and its wildlife, and which had also provided a natural traffic noise buffer to houses along the road that ran by the creek.
This 1300ft stretch between two bridges was totally devastated. Where freshwater creatures had lived in peace were now huge bulldozers standing in the water, churning up the sediment and destroying the natural habitat, and killing whatever had been living there before. Large machinery hacked down trees along both banks, while the interim town manger, Matt Tederick, confirmed to the local newspaper, The Royal Examiner, that the plan was to not clear any trees with circumferences larger than 4" diameter and that the area would not be 'clearcut'. He told the reporter that, when completed, it would be 'beautiful'. By Prospect Street bridge, huge boulders, called riprap, had been dumped, to slow down any floodwater, although this area has not flooded in 20 years according to local residents, and he also added that no replanting was planned in the areas left bereft of any vegetation.
The photo above is the creek on the other side of the bridge, looking beautifully natural, with native trees and plants, and large boulders placed strategically to slow down any fast running water if a flood occurred. I often cycled along this trail, enjoying the different seasons and marveling at how healthy the creek appeared. I'd see wildlife scurrying along the banks, birds twittering in the trees and small fish darting between the rocks. This was also a stocked trout stream, yet now the fish have no habitat along this stretch.Years of beneficial and beautiful nature have been eradicated in just a few days, it will take years to regrow this and now every time I cycle past I will feel anger instead of tranquility.
The ravaged area is shown above. David Means, a local Tree Steward, and past Urban Forestry Commission member, had surveyed the destruction, stating that the Greenway, a recently completed 5 mile loop around town, for walkers and cyclists, was now exposed to noise and pollution from the busy Commerce Avenue, where it had previously been a scenic and quiet trail. Means also measured all the chopped trunks left on the banks, around 115 of them, marking their measurements on the crudely hacked stumps, and noted that many were over the 4" diameter maximum cut measurement, at 5", 7' and larger; I even saw one at 13"d. Over 87 percent had been native species, the oldest over 20 years old. Note, some of these stumps are still in place, but many other hacked down trees along the banks have already been removed, including the roots. These include trees that had been donated to the town to commemorate Arbor Day, trees given by organizations and individuals, including the willow above, which was apparently removed because it had 'died', a fact that can't be proved now since it has been completely eradicated...A stop order had been issued once town residents began complaining, but work continued for another day, adding to the destruction, before work finally ceased.
Local environmental groups quickly collaborated to join forces and organize a demonstration for Saturday, and Facebook pages were quickly set up:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/savehappycreek
https://www.facebook.com/events/1073705016390225
Riparian buffers are being planted over many states in the county. Local governments in Virginia have helped to implement over 625,000 acres, and here in Front Royal, the town council decided to rip them out. A riparian buffer comprises of plants and trees planted next to water to protect the soil from erosion with their roots and provide shade to keep the water and inhabitants cool. The roots also absorb excess water to help prevent flooding as well as absorbing pollutants from the water. Leaves and other organic matter dropped by the trees provide food and shelter to creatures living in or near the water. And of course, these buffers provide places of beauty and peace for human residents and visitors to enjoy.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ regarding riparian buffers, stated, “We recommend avoidance of (removing) as much established native vegetation, including trees, as possible as they provide streambank stabilization, stream shading, and leaf litter which are important aspects of aquatic habitat.”
The town's local paper, The Royal Examiner stated, "Recommendations from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources regarding riparian buffers appear to be ignored in the Town’s work and plans, most pointedly, “restoring original streambed and streambank contours, revegetating barren areas with native vegetation, and implementing strict erosion and sediment control measures. We recommend that instream work be designed and performed in a manner that minimizes impacts upon natural streamflow and movement of resident aquatic species … To minimize harm to the aquatic environment and its residents … We (VDWR) recommend adherence to erosion and sediment controls during ground disturbance. We recommend use of native species for all plantings. We recommend alternatives to the creation of a hardened shoreline as such areas can prohibit access to aquatic habitats along stream margins” (emphasis added)”.
Solid expert advice that our 'interim' town manger, Tederick, blatantly ignored.
There was a great turnout of around 100 people, although it looked like more to me. Elliott came up with a couple of excellent slogans which we wrote on boards and held aloft supporting many other messages on placards that folks were carrying. There were 3 groups of environmental preservationists along the creek, explaining the damage done and hopefully, what could be done to help restore it. Some of us stood along one of the main streets flanking the creek, holding up signs for drivers to see. Many slowed down to read them, at times causing backups, and we even had horns honking in support. I was glad we'd taken part, was glad that local residents wanted to save this beautiful part of town, and especially glad that so many environmental organizations had rallied round so quickly to support the protest.
A few hours later I cycled past the ravaged creek to look at the remaining tree stumps left jutting out of the now barren soil, all the vegetation having been ripped out. By South Street bridge, hacked stumps, all marked with measurements above 4" in pencil stood like grave markers, and I stopped, my head hanging in solemn silence, so saddened by this scene, which had once been a pretty little creek with lush plants and overhanging trees. And this is also the first view of the creek that visitors view as they drive over the bridge into town. Those trees had helped Front Royal proudly qualify for Tree City USA’ status, which may now be stripped from the town, unless some quick action is taken. Fortunately, since these stumps have been left, and if they are allowed to stay in place, their roots will hold the soil and prevent erosion, plus the trees should put out sprouts in the spring.
The protest worked. At the next town meeting a couple of days later, Vice-Mayor Bill Sealock, who actually attended Saturday's demonstration, stood up for the protesters' message and suggested changing course on what had been referred to as 'a misguided, counterproductive effort to repair the creek bank and
improve flood control and hard-surface stormwater distribution into the
creek.' He was the only member of the town council who appeared on Saturday, but was willing and keen to understand the environmental issues that were being discussed and explained. It seems the deadline to complete the project will be extended and environmental groups will be asked for advice. And further good news is that Tederick stated he would be stepping down as interim town manager as of December 7th, but not before he tried to put Happy Creek's destruction solely on the shoulders of the contractor employed for the task. Good riddance to this thorn in Front Royal's side.
Save Happy Creek Coalition comprises of: Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley,
Beautification of Front Royal Committee, Friends of the North Fork of
the Shenandoah River, Front Royal/Warren County Appalachian Trail
Community, Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards, Izaak Walton League,
Shenandoah Riverkeeper, Sustainability Matters – and our affiliate, the
Garden Club of Warren County.
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