Area designated as wetland could slow Corbin schools site development

A small area, declared a “wetland” by environmental specialists, is providing the first major hurdle to site development and construction of a new elementary school in the Corbin Independent School District.
Corbin Schools Assistant Superintendent Darrell Tremaine told Board of Education members last week that about only 2.3 acres of property the school district purchased off of Fifth Street Road, just outside of Corbin near Tatersall Trails subdivision, for new school development is affected. Though small, the wetland is tied to a surrounding ecosystem of about 11 or 12 acres – an area that, left as is, could constrict development of the site.
“It’s a wetlands, period. So we can’t get away from that,” he said.
The area sits just below a 4.5-acre pond on the property that site planners want to drain to make room for a varsity soccer field. A total of three new schools are planned for the property. But if the pond were emptied, the wetlands would disappear – a violation of federal law. Wetlands are protected because they foster growth of often threatened or endangered animals, insects and plant life.
Tremaine said the district has options though, including creating an artificial wetland somewhere else in Whitley County.
“If you trade out, you have to trade out three to one,” he said. “So, we’ve got to find 6.9 acres somewhere that is in the floodplain that will flood and will be real damp.”
Tremaine said the school district would not have to actually own the property where a new wetland is created. Currently, officials are in discussions with two “entities” that may be willing to donate land for the project.
“There are pieces of land we hope we will be able to work with people on,” he said. “It has to all be together … I think we will be able to come up with that.”
A shallow pond about six inches deep would be created to make a new wetland. Tremaine said the wetland would not have to be filled in with water immediately. That could happen naturally.
Original plans for the site showed an access road surrounding the pond that feeds the wetland, and school buildings and fields placed around it. Tremaine said the pond couldn’t simply remain in place because the loss of acreage makes plans for development too cramped.
Board members approved a contract with QORE Property Sciences for environmental work at the site. Tremaine said the company would oversee creation of a new wetland and file proper paperwork.
Once complete, he said the pond would be drained, and a broken dam between the pond and current wetland removed.
Board Chair Debbie Cook asked what would happen to the fish once the pond was drained. She said it was the “most asked” question in the community regarding the site.
Tremaine said about seven local residents have already expressed interest in taking the fish, and that others could be added to the list.