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Board approves abandonment of Scott County Drainage Ditch 8 after owner ballots
Summary
Scott County commissioners adopted findings and an order to abandon County Drainage Ditch Number 8 after staff reported 41 of 46 owners (89%) favored abandonment and multiple public commenters supported the change.
Scott County commissioners on April 15 adopted findings and an order granting a petition to abandon Scott County Drainage Ditch Number 8, following a staff presentation and a public hearing with multiple landowners and property owners testifying.
County staff told the board that Ditch 8, constructed in 1916 and located entirely in Cedar Lake Township, once served agricultural drainage but the area has largely transitioned to residential subdivisions. Staff said the system has seen limited maintenance — principally beaver-dam removals — and that of the 46 benefited owners contacted, "41 of those 46 people voted to abandon the ditch, which is 89%." Two owners asked for a redetermination of benefits and three did not respond, staff said.
During public comment several benefited owners and residents supported abandonment. Jake Helgason, speaking for the Knowles Homeowners Association, said the association voted unanimously to support abandonment and that association members were prepared to handle any routine maintenance themselves. Others, including landowners who harvest hay from the drainage area, said they use the area as productive farmland and warned they could lose income if maintenance were discontinued.
County counsel and staff described the consequences of abandonment: the county would be removed as drainage authority for the system, and subsequent work in the watercourse would be regulated under state public-waters laws and likely require permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Staff also explained that a positive balance in a ditch account would first be used for hearing expenses; any remaining funds would transfer to the county general fund, per counsel's guidance.
After closing the public comment period the board voted to adopt the findings and order presented by staff. The motion was moved and seconded; the minutes record the motion was moved by Commissioner Ullrich and seconded by Commissioner Brennan before the vote to approve the abandonment.
