Drainage board approves encroachments, orders ribbon-liner cleaning and issues notice of violation at St. Joe Industrial Park site

At its July 29 meeting the Vanderburgh County Drainage Board approved two applications affecting regulated drains, granted a drainage encroachment for a West Industries building, authorized cleaning of the Bonnie View concrete ribbon liner, and placed a property at 2000 West Mill Road on notice for drainage-plan deviations.

Board staff presented two separate applications from BSM Groups LLC (Barnett Ditch and Cypress Dale & Maddox). The board approved both applications and ordered the submitted drawings be added to the permanent record.

The board also approved a drainage-encroachment agreement for West Industries’ minor subdivision. Staff said the northwest corner of the planned building would encroach slightly—less than a foot—into an existing drainage easement and the developer submitted a signed encroachment agreement and fees. The board approved the encroachment and included the agreement in the record.

For the Bonnie View ditch, staff reported multiple complaints about sediment and vegetation buildup on the concrete ribbon liner. After reviewing two quotes, the board accepted the low bid from 3D Leasing LLC for $10,000 and authorized cleaning work to remove accumulated sediment and vegetation.

Board members heard a detailed staff briefing on compliance issues at the Saint Joe Industrial Park project at 2000 West Mill Road. Building Commission floodplain staff had issued a stop-work order (July 25) after finding work outside the approved zone, unauthorized boring under a rail line and missing primary/emergency spillways. Board staff said aerial imagery and site visits show the constructed basin shape and swales do not match approved plans and that the contractor has a prior pattern of noncompliance at a different industrial site. The Drainage Board voted to place the project on a notice-of-violation track and asked staff to draft a formal letter specifying deviations and requested corrections; the notice gives the contractor 30 days to respond.

In public comment, neighbors presented a separate landslide/drainage problem on Lydia Drive and asked permission to modify a six-foot easement to create a lined drainage swale with riprap and geotextile fabric. Board staff said they had inspected the slope failure, requested documentation and will review submitted records before deciding whether the drainage board must act or whether the matter is a private civil dispute among property owners.

Motions approved by the drainage board included: acceptance of drawings and approval for the Barnett and Cypress Dale & Maddox applications; approval of West Industries’ encroachment agreement; award of the Bonnie View ribbon-liner cleaning contract to 3D Leasing LLC ($10,000); retroactive approval of five ditch claims totaling $702.59 for routine maintenance; and issuance of a notice of violation for the Saint Joe Industrial Park site at 2000 West Mill Road to require plan compliance within 30 days.

The board also announced the Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission will meet Aug. 25; members discussed a recent presentation about woody debris in streams and emphasized the difference between legal drains (designed for rapid conveyance) and natural streams where limited woody debris can be acceptable unless it substantially blocks flow.

Votes at a glance: Barnett and Cypress Dale & Maddox applications approved; West Industries encroachment approved; Bonnie View ribbon liner cleaning contract awarded to 3D Leasing LLC ($10,000); notice of violation issued for 2000 West Mill Road.