Ziprick served on a committee more than a decade ago that included representatives of Bryn Mawr, Redlands and county flood control officials. They debated designs to protect property in Redlands and Loma Linda and to prevent build-up of silt in the channel that caused flooding as far away as Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino.

Residents of Bryn Mawr, a community since annexed to Loma Linda, pressed for a concrete-lined channel to provide maximum flood protection, he said. Redlands representatives wanted an earthen channel that would preserve wildlife habitat. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Under the compromise, a series of earthen retention dams were constructed along the southernmost, 2.5-mile stretch of the creek and a concrete channel was built north of Mountain View. The landscaping, including trees and shrubs, is to be installed along the concrete channel.

Loma Linda Public Works Director T. Jarb Thaipejr said, two nesting boxes, each of which could house a family of birds, will be put up in the greenbelt. Two 15-foot-high poles with arms attached to serve, as perches for owls, hawks and other raptors will be installed as well, he said.

The work is being financed with a $2 million grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, a portion of which has been used by Redlands to purchase open land south and east of Loma Linda, he said. Construction of the Loma Linda improvements should take about six weeks, Thaipejr said.