POSTED: Thursday, July 22, 2010 - 6:23pm
UPDATED: Friday, July 23, 2010 - 7:07pm
El Paso- Jim Tolbert isn't happy with the view on Scenic Drive. "Why should we come walking around enjoying scenic drive on scenic Sunday and what we see is this mess?"
He's talking about an old dam, right near the police academy. The area was once filled with plants. But recent repairs to the utility have left it barren and brown.
Tolbert says, "It may very well be unnecessary. When you look around, you see all the beautiful native plants...and suddenly its gone from this dam area."
The pond slows rainwater on its descent into the city. The utilities board says controlling water flow is essential to public safety, especially during monsoon season.
Spokeswoman Christina Montoya says "Because it's able to hold the water and then have it flow out at a slow, controlled rate, it prevents the flooding below it."
A plugged drainage pipe forced El Paso Water Utilities to makes repairs. The utilities board says the pond might look bad now, but it won't last forever.
Montoya says "We are planning on planting some grass seed...and eventually over time, some of the vegetation will grow back and we just ask for people's patience and understanding."
Jim Tolbert says he understands that public safety trumps beauty, but says the mountain is too nice for repairs last too long.