Some 100,000 cubic yards of dirt dumped on the edge of Loma Alta Creek to elevate Sprinter light rail tracks could be costly for nearby residents and business owners.
Federal Emergency Management Agency flood planner Marshall Marik says the dirt will likely change the creek's flood plain and force more homes and businesses to have flood insurance.
The North County Transit District dumped the dirt over the last four years to raise Sprinter tracks above flood levels. During winter rains, some Oceanside businesses along the creek flooded.
The FEMA flood planner says he is now working with the city of Oceanside to resurvey Loma Alta's entire length to determine how the dirt could affect the flow of water.
Marik says the transit district failed to analyze how dumping so much dirt would change the flow of the creek. Transit district attorney Michael Cowett says he believes the district followed proper procedures.
