By Pat Hammert/Staff Writer

Canadian County commissioners on Tuesday reversed a decision last week to deny spending $9,000 for aerial pictures of a flood-prone area along Purcell Creek.

Commission Chairman Grant Hedrick said he’s decided the photos were needed as an impartial “expert witness” in a lawsuit pending with a company that wants to develop a mobile home park in the Banner community area.

The vote was 2 to 1 to have the Austin, Texas-based aerial photography company complete the work. Commissioner Don Young, who cast the dissenting vote, said he fears the action will “set a precedent."

“You can probably find out more about that area by talking to people in the area. Flood plains change. A 100-year floodplain in five years won’t be the same because every time you build a house or street you get more water.”

The federal lawsuit claims an injunction the county filed last year to stop further development denied Glen Eagles of Canadian Valley LLC its rights. The Oklahoma City-based company seeks damages in an unspecified amount.

There is some urgency in getting the photographs since warmer weather will bring an overgrowth that will hamper the aerial view, said Amy Brandley, county floodplain manager.
She also said state Department of Transportation officials have indicated an interest in the study since ODOT plans to reconstruct the bridge at state Highway 66 over Purcell Creek.

In other business, commissioners recognized Brandley as the county floodplain manager with a certificate from the Oklahoma Flood-plain Managers Association, presented by Canadian County Assessor Ron Funck.

Brandley is also mapping the county using geographical information systems.