That flood, likely to come from a cloudburst during the monsoons that hunker over southwestern Utah in July and August, is the impetus behind the proposed $9 million Coal Creek Parkway project along about two miles of the stream that flows through Cedar City.

Residents had the opportunity this week to comment on the draft environmental impact statement's two preferred alternatives for the project, which also calls for a pedestrian parkway, erosion protection and improved irrigation diversions.

"If Cedar City were to experience the flood now, it would destroy a large portion of the city and industrial area to the west," Mayor Gerald Sherratt told about 50 residents at the meeting. "It's not a matter of if the flood will come, but when."

The project - to be paid for mostly with federal funds - will be designed to improve the stream channel to handle flows of 6,000 feet per second from Interstate 15 east to about a half-mile up Cedar Canyon. Work could begin as early as spring and take up to three years to complete.

Alex Shepherd, representing the Paiute Tribe's Cedar Band, which has a reservation in the city, asked planners to be sure to involve the tribe in discussions about parts of the project that cross Paiute land.

"We'll make sure there is a face-to-face meeting with the tribe," said Matt Petersen, who oversaw the environmental statement

When asked how the sandy, vertical stream banks would be protected from erosion, Craig Bagley, an engineer with Draper-based Bowen, Collins & Associates, said crews probably would use a combination of stone riprap and vegetation.

Impact to wildlife - especially black bears and mule deer - would be minimal, and construction would work around raptor-nesting seasons.

A historic truss bridge would have to be removed under one of the alternatives, and Martin Tyner, director of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation, would like to use it in a preserve being built at the bottom of the canyon.

"Let's not throw it away," Tyner said. "Let's use it."

Petersen credited earlier public input for helping to shift the design to improved diversion streams to meet the needs of irrigation companies.

"I was at the earlier meeting when they talked about building the pipeline that would cause the creek to run dry," resident Jim Case said. "But most of the [public] comments were that we need running water."

Sherratt said the project has the support of Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch. The mayor also expects volunteers to play a part in construction.

"Volunteer work will allow residents to take ownership of the parkway and appreciate it more."