The St. Joseph County Drainage Board approved a short-term dewatering discharge for a county park pond-construction project after members discussed a separate unauthorized dewatering incident on a nearby ranch project.

A board member reported that a contractor began dewatering without a permit on the ranch project but stopped shortly afterward; staff said sand entered the ditch and that the contractor (with Rick Gilman) will meet with staff to discuss clean-up. Separately, staff described a permit application for mission ponds at a county park on the east side of the county and explained technical controls such as filter bags and oxygenation measures for dewatering discharges.

The board moved to approve a discharge for the park project, not to exceed five days and subject to the applicant submitting the complete application and the county’s review and approval (John’s review, as recorded). Staff agreed to actively monitor the discharge while work is underway. The motion carried by voice vote.

Next steps: the applicant must submit the required application materials; county engineering will review and staff will monitor the dewatering during the permitted period.