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Pine County board establishes joint drainage authority for Judicial Ditch 6
Summary
The board approved a resolution to form a joint drainage authority for Judicial Ditch 6 to manage maintenance and levy assessments to benefiting properties. Commissioners heard that the ditch lies in Royalton Township and that an impoundment on private property has created local complaints.
The Pine County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to establish a joint drainage authority for Judicial Ditch 6, creating a multi‑county body with authority to assess benefiting properties for maintenance and improvements.
County staff described the ditch as falling under the state’s public drainage statutes and said the authority would include representatives from the neighboring counties noted in the presentation. The ditch crosses into Royalton Township at the county’s southwest corner; staff said Pine County likely has “less than a handful” of benefiting properties in its portion and that most sections now border recreational rather than active agricultural land.
Presenters noted an impoundment on private Swanson property that county staff and a ditch inspector have been monitoring because it may be causing downstream impacts. The inspector is checking whether the impoundment was established under a permit. Commissioners discussed the age of the judicial ditches in the county (many established in the early 1900s), and the fact that most are not used for large-scale farming today.
After brief discussion, Commissioner Ludwig moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Holland seconded. The board passed the resolution by roll call with no recorded dissent. The resolution gives the joint drainage authority the statutory power to levy assessments against benefiting properties to fund maintenance or improvements.
