Board adopts findings and order to abandon Benton County Ditch No. 4

The Benton County Ditch Authority continued its public hearing on the proposed abandonment of Benton County Ditch No. 4 and adopted a findings and order terminating county maintenance responsibility for the ditch.

Staff introduced the draft findings in order and emphasized that most of the ditch has ceased to function as originally designed. The findings say that only about 2,800 feet of the original 8,800‑foot open channel remains open and that reconstructing the remaining 6,000 feet would be impracticable. The report also notes numerous wetlands along the drainage system and that purchasing wetland mitigation credits would likely exceed the remaining benefits of the drainage system.

The adopted order approves the petition to abandon County Ditch No. 4, terminates the drainage authority’s maintenance responsibility for the abandoned portion, and directs that any excess funds in the ditch account be returned pro rata to benefiting property owners per the ditch benefits and damages statements. The order also preserves any liens filed on account of the drainage system for costs incurred prior to the order.

Why it matters: abandonment removes the county’s ongoing public‑maintenance obligations for the ditch and shifts responsibility for future repair petitions and any necessary restoration away from the county. The decision followed procedural hearings and a staff-prepared draft order presented at the continuation of the public hearing.

Ending: The board completed a roll-call-style affirmation of the order and noted the new county ditch inspector attended the meeting to observe proceedings.