County staff move to formalize Erickson Dike and Woodson Road dedications; drainage district urges removal of private gates

Columbia County staff told commissioners June 18 they have identified sections of Erickson Dike Road that appear to be public roads and are working with the Beaver Drainage District and landowners to complete legal dedications and address gates placed by private owners.

Mike Russell, Public Works staff, said staff reviewed records provided by Truett Stultzberg, a member of the Beaver Drainage District board, and ‘‘agree with him that that appears that portions of Erickson Dike Road are public. They’re not county roads, but public roads.’’ Russell said the county will need a short description of a section currently owned by the drainage district so that the district can sign a dedication deed to create a continuous public connection.

County staff said some gates along the roadway were erected by private property owners who believed the routes were private; because staff now consider portions of the route public, the gates will either need to be opened or permitted under existing processes. Truett Stultzberg told the board…