NATCHEZ &8212; An idea to utilize historic and environmentally important St. Catherine Creek in new ways has caught fire again.

At least 20 years after the concept originated in the administration of Mayor Tony Byrne in the 1980s, the plan is in revival, with Mayor Phillip West its biggest proponent.

&8220;This is still a very good idea,&8221; West told a small group he assembled Friday to begin talks about converting the creek into a waterway used for recreation and enhancement of the environment.

&8220;This plan will increase land values and create the kinds of recreational opportunities that will transform Natchez and Adams County socially and commercially for many years to come,&8221; West said.

&8220;This is a very good time to come back to the idea. We probably have more clout in getting funding than we&8217;ve had in a while.&8221;

Byrne, who has continued in the last 20 years to bring up the idea and get support for it, said now indeed is the right time.

&8220;The best thing that could have happened is for Mayor West to make this project a function of the city,&8221; he said. &8220;And the presence of Alcorn is most important. They can be a tremendous asset for us.&8221;

Napoleon Moses, vice president for academic affairs, represented Alcorn State University at the meeting. He cited other similar projects in Mississippi that have had great success, such as the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Hinds County.

The small group that met will grow, West said. Adams County officials must be involved, along with Copiah-Lincoln Community College, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the National Park Service, among others.

The plan calls for dams and spillways at several points along the creek to provide more consistent depths for fishing and boating.

&8220;This would have a broad impact on the entire community,&8221; West said.

Moses said the plan fits into Alcorn State&8217;s desire for Natchez to be the most desirable place to live for the kinds of people the university wants to attract for faculty and staff in new programs.

&8220;This could be a major piece in the puzzle in getting people to move to Natchez,&8221; he said.

Brent Bourland, a Natchez attorney and outdoor enthusiast, has supported the plan for years. He said the idea is &8220;economic development with an environmental impact.&8221;

David Gardner, city engineer, said the material gathered years ago is still relevant but updates will be needed. &8220;This can be done,&8221; he said.

Moses suggested several initial steps that would lead to a short narrative describing the project &8212; a tool that could be used to get funding for a feasibility study.

Clearly define the scope of the project, create a cost-benefit analysis and identify the best practices of similar projects, he said.

Bourland, who recently canoed a long portion of the creek after a rain, said few people realize the natural beauty of the area.

&8220;Once you&8217;re down in there, you don&8217;t realize you&8217;re in a city environment. Right now, the only time you can canoe is after a rain.&8221;

The creek passes Historic Jefferson College, Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and the St. Catherine Wildlife Refuge. It meanders near several subdivisions and through industrial property near the port.

&8220;There is a lot of information in the studies already done,&8221; Gardner said. &8220;Maps, studies by Soil Conservation Service and Corps of Engineers, a lot of information on engineering, topography and hydrology that we can use.&8221;

Byrne said his idea came from a visit to San Antonio, Texas, where he was impressed with the Paseo Del Rio in the heart of the city.

&8220;I feel we can make St. Catherine Creek a tremendous asset for us.&8221;