Board adopts amended viewers' report for County Ditch 64, subject to outlet acceptance to Ditch 49

The Blue Earth County Drainage Authority adopted an amended viewers’ report for County Ditch 64 at the May 26 meeting, approving updated benefit values while noting pending watershed transfers tied to County Ditch 49.

Drainage staff introduced the hearing and described notices and a May 11 landowner meeting. An appointed viewer summarized the redetermination background: ditch 64 was petitioned and established in 1920–21; the report matched benefiting acres used in past proceedings and proposed updated market values and benefit classifications. The viewer said the report originally proposed $2,220,440.26 in total benefits but, after accounting for parcels tiled directly into ditch 49 (and after landowner input), recommended amending the watershed and benefit totals and adopting the report subject to acceptance of those acres into ditch 49.

The viewer described proposed parcel-level adjustments for specific landowners (for example, recommended reducing benefits to certain acres where surface flows now go to ditch 49) and noted the recommended new total benefits of $2,096,229.19 and a benefited area of about 999.5 acres (per the viewers’ update). The viewer recommended no buffer-area damages because the system is all tile.

After opening public comment (no speakers), the board moved and seconded adoption of the amended report subject to acceptance of the petition to transfer outlet acres into ditch 49; the motion carried by voice vote.

Staff noted that if ditch 49 does not accept the proposed outlet acres, the board may need to continue the hearing or revisit the report. The board chair thanked landowners who attended the informational meeting.