Long Beach Canal Expansion Project Brings Controversy

Long Beach residents met Wednesday night to discuss a drainage project that has been in the works for 15 years and has drawn controversy from residents who live along the project site.

The last meeting to discuss the expansion of Canal Number One happened back in October of 2014. The $4 million canal expansion would help ease flooding problems in the area, but some residents who live along the canal say they oppose the project because their property will be affected. In all, about 120 properties would be affected. The Long Beach Water Management is responsible for the project.

William Skellie, Mayor of Long Beach, says, “I think it’s the job of this drainage district to school them and let them know as they move along the process what it does to their property and I think that’s fair.”