During Mayor Allen's tenure, 1967 became the year that the Proctor Creek pollution issue reached a climax...

The Ivan Allen Digital Archive houses a variety of documents, including a heavy presence of those relating to civil rights and racism. Documents concerning the environment are scattered throughout the archive and difficult to find. This project concerns 14 documents related to the issue of Proctor Creek. These documents include letters to and from Mayor Ivan Allen, Community Relations notes, letters from the city Chief of Construction, information from the Public Works Committee, talks of federal funding, letters between the mayor's office and that of the State Water Quality Control Board, and most notably, the most shocking information of the group: "A Water Quality Study of Proctor Creek."

"A Water Quality Study of Proctor Creek"

The most egregious piece of evidence related to the pollution of Proctor Creek was a 24-page document from November 10th, 1967. This study conducted by biologists outlined a series of horrible conditions relating to the creek. The abstract of the report spoke of "grossly polluted conditions" and that Proctor Creek was "devoid of macroinvertebrate fauna" (fish). The report concluded that the source of the problem was that the creek ran through an urban area, receiving trash and runoff from "domestic and industrial" locations. The largest source of pollution seemed to come from an open manhole cover, leaking into a tributary that feeds into the creek.

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Responding to the Proctor Creek Study

The study of the creek should have been an immediate call to action from the City of Atlanta. And from the Ivan Allen Digital Archive, it would seem like there was a call to action, but from what we can tell of the conditions today, it was just bureaucratic jargon between policy makers. Through November and December of 1967, exchanges occur between various organizations in response to the study. The final piece of documentation in 1967 is from Mayor Ivan Allen. In basic terms, it is the final spin on the issue in 1967, as Allen outlines that there will be solutions to the issues when the are observed, not by his office, but by the Water Pollution Control Division.

Image Courtesy of EPA

Documentation of Response

The following documentation is from the Ivan Allen Digital Archive. Each reports the response from local and state government regarding the issue of Proctor Creek.

Click Here to View Table of Documents.

Descriptions and Copies of Text Provided by Ivan Allen Digital Archive

Letter from a Mrs. Hazel H. Brown to Mayor Ivan Allen - January 9, 1967

About polluted condition of Proctor Creek near Bankhead Avenue (now Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW) in Grove Park.

Argument: Mrs. Hazel H. Brown writes a letter to Mayor Ivan Allen in an attempt to receive funding for tending to Proctor Creek and its needs. She emphasizes that she has received no meaningful responses in regard to her issue by goverment agencies. She hopes to obtain his attention and sway him towards lending funds for the creek.

Letter from Mayor Ivan Allen to Mrs. Hazel H. Brown - January 17, 1967

Addressing her concerns about the pollution in Proctor Creek.

Argument: Mayor Ivan Allen acknowledges the letter and writes a response telling the actions the city is willing to take. Atlanta will fix the problem of one of the sewers, but will not remove the current pollution within the creek.

Minutes from City of Atlanta Community Relations Committee Public Hearing - February 16, 1967

On page 7 of the minutes, a Mrs. Nannie McCormick speaks about issues with Proctor Creek including flooding, property damage, and public health threats.

Argument: Mrs. Nannie Cormack speaks during a City of Atlanta Community Relations Committee Public Hearing and complains about the conditions Proctor Creek and its flooding as created in her area. She makes the claim that houses are being flooded, the air smells horrible and children are dying due to the creek.

Summary of Responses to Issues Brought up at First Community Relations Commission on February 16 - March 1967

See section D, numbers 2 and 4, which reference "sewage and drainage problems" and "Proctor Creek," respectively. The "Mr. Nixon" referenced in section D, number 4 is likely Ray A. Nixon, Chief of Construction for the City of Atlanta Department of Construction.

Argument: Mr. Nixon makes the statement that it is the responsibility of homeowners with property bordering the creek to properly fence off their houses from Proctor Creek and keep their children away. This takes blame off of creek and on to residents.

Minutes from meeting of Community Relations Commission for Perry Homes and Scotts Crossing area - May 4, 1967

Comments from residents labeled as numbers 3, 6, 10, 11, 13, and 21 directly reference Proctor Creek and related sewer and drainage issues.

Argument: Various members of the society complaining about different problems they encounter with Proctor Creek, especially relating to the sewers connected to them.

Letter from Assistant Chief of Construction at City of Atlanta Department of Construction to Administrative Assistant to Mayor Ivan Allen - May 26, 1967

Regarding ongoing issues with water and sewer management infrastucture and options for federal funding.

Argument: Ray A. Nixon, Chief of Construction for Atlanta writes a letter for Earl Landers, the Administrative Assistant to the Mayor, regarding the flooding and inadequate draining problems that exist. He complains that many of these problems are not being addressed by the city.

Memorandum to Public Works Committee Regarding "Local Storm Water Facilities" - Referenced in Letter of May 26

Letter by Assistant Chief of Construction to office of Mayor Ivan Allen. This memo identifies the nature and scope of the issues facing the city's management of its storm sewers and drainage systems, presents a timeline for addressing these issues, identifies a list of current problem areas, and suggests a staff roster that should be created to manage these issues.

Argument: This memorandum is made reference to in order to argue the needs and expanse of the project to reduce pollution in the Atlanta Area, including the funding and locations that need revitalization, along with time period that it needs to be done within.

Outline of Federal Funding via Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, Department of the Interior - Referenced in Letter of May 26 by Ivan Allen

Dated May 1967, the document describes the national scope of storm and combined sewer pollution issues and outlines relevant projects and improvements that would be supported by the grants.

Argument: This outline is referenced by Mayor Allen and addresses many of the issues faced by the Proctor Creek area.

Letter from Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the State Water Quality Control Board to Mayor Ivan Allen - August 28, 1967

Notifying the city about the lack of availability of federal funding via the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Argument: Mayor Ivan Allen attempts to secure a federal grant to assist Proctor Creek, but he is denied, turned to ask for help from the Georgia Water Quality Control Board for the State.

Letter from Mayor Ivan Allen to Assistant to Executive Secretary of State Water Quality Control Board - September 12, 1967

Acknowledging lack of federal funding via the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Argument: Mayor Ivan Allen argues that funds, federal or state, are unavailable to help Proctor Creek, but he would like to stay advised if funding comes available.

Letter from Executive Secretary of the State Water Quality Control Board to Mayor Ivan Allen - November 17, 1967

Notifying office of complaints about Proctor Creek and enclosing copy of "A Water Quality Study of Proctor Creek."

Argument: The State Water Quality Control Board urges Ivan Allen to look into the complaints and reports on Proctor Creek's pollution.

Letter from the Director of Water Pollution Control at the City of Atlanta Department of Construction to Mayor Ivan Allen - November 22, 1967

Concerning "A Water Quality Study of Proctor Creek" and the issues the city faces in addressing the findings of the study.

Argument: Proctor Creek is facing many problems, involving both pollution and housing, and there are major issues in implementing relief programs when it comes to time and funding.

Letter from Mayor Ivan Allen to Executive Secretary of the State Water Quality Control Board - December 19, 1967

Acknowledging receipt of "A Water Quality Report of Proctor Creek" and outlining his administration's response to these issues.

Argument: Mayor Ivan Allen finds the report of the "A Water Quality Study of Proctor Creek" helpful, decides it will be useful for the Water Pollution Control Division, and outlines a very general plan to assist the area.

Click Below to Go Back to a Document

Letter from a Mrs. Hazel H. Brown to Mayor Ivan Allen - January 9, 1967

Letter from Mayor Ivan Allen to Mrs. Hazel H. Brown - January 17, 1967

Minutes from City of Atlanta Community Relations Committee Public Hearing - February 16, 1967

Summary of Responses to Issues Brought up at First Community Relations Commission on February 16 - March 1967

Minutes from meeting of Community Relations Commission for Perry Homes and Scotts Crossing area - May 4, 1967

Letter from Assistant Chief of Construction at City of Atlanta Department of Construction to Administrative Assistant to Mayor Ivan Allen - May 26, 1967

Memorandum to Public Works Committee regarding "Local Storm Water Facilities" - Referenced in Letter of May 26

Outline of Federal Funding via Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, Department of the Interior - Referenced in Letter of May 26 by Ivan Allen

Letter from Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the State Water Quality Control Board to Mayor Ivan Allen - August 28, 1967

Letter from Mayor Ivan Allen to Assistant to Executive Secretary of State Water Quality Control Board - September 12, 1967

Letter from Executive Secretary of the State Water Quality Control Board to Mayor Ivan Allen - November 17, 1967

Letter from the Director of Water Pollution Control at the City of Atlanta Department of Construction to Mayor Ivan Allen - November 22, 1967

Letter from Mayor Ivan Allen to Executive Secretary of the State Water Quality Control Board - December 19, 1967

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