Scott County adopts order abandoning County Drainage Ditch 12

Scott County commissioners voted April 15 to adopt findings and an order abandoning Scott County Drainage Ditch Number 12 following staff presentations and a public hearing.

Staff reported that Ditch 12, constructed in 1956 and located in Newmarket Township, runs into Bridal Lake and is part of the headwaters for the Vermillion River. Staff said the system is fairly flat, drains into public waters and has limited repair history; past repair petitions were not approved because of anticipated wetland impacts. After a landowner meeting in 2023 and a mailing in October 2024, staff said the ditch-account balance is negative and that 52% of the owners of benefited acres voted to abandon the ditch.

During the hearing one written submission supporting abandonment was placed on the record. A public commenter expressed concern that losing county jurisdiction would increase the permitting burden for property owners and make private repairs harder; counsel and staff answered that abandonment would remove the county as drainage authority and that the DNR would retain a regulatory role over public waters inventory areas. Counsel noted that private remedies exist through common-law rights if parties obstruct flows after abandonment.

After closing the public comment period the board moved and seconded the item and approved the findings and order to abandon Ditch 12. Commissioners stated they were balancing owner ballots, the ditch’s limited utility and the cost and regulatory complexity of repairs when voting.