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Engineers, board approve partial abandonment of County Ditch 28 branch 9 with wetland mitigation
Summary
Following an engineer’s review, the drainage authority found original branch 9 and a proposed reroute do not serve substantial useful purpose and approved a petition to partially abandon branch 9, subject to mitigation measures including a revised wetland design with a berm to protect nearby county infrastructure.
The Blue Earth County drainage authority on June 9 approved a petition to partially abandon branch 9 of County Ditch 28 after an appointed engineer concluded the tiles in the petition area do not serve a substantial useful purpose for remaining properties in the system.
Josh James, a graduate engineer with ISG representing the appointed reviewer, summarized system history and hydrology for CD28, noting a flat watershed with sandy, poorly drained soils and multiple historic improvements. The petition addressed two proposed privately managed wetlands tied to the abandonment. The engineer reported initial concern that Wetland No. 1 would inundate portions of nearby mainline tile during a modeled 100‑year storm, potentially complicating future maintenance. Engineers coordinated with the petitioner (Bowser) to revise the wetland design by adding a fill berm through the maintenance easement to prevent standing water over the county tile and preserve future access.
After reviewing the updated hydraulic information and the proposed mitigation, the appointed engineer concluded that both the original branch 9 and the Bowser reroute did not serve a substantial useful purpose for remaining system properties and were not of substantial public benefit or utility. The engineer also concluded the proposed privately managed wetlands could be adequately mitigated using the revised design, and recommended approval of the abandonment petition.
The board opened and closed a public comment period with no speakers and approved the drafted findings in order approving the partial abandonment under Minnesota Statute 103E.806. Staff said Bowser will work with county staff to ensure the wetland design protects county infrastructure and maintenance access as part of the abandonment order.
The order directs that the abandoned portion be removed from the public drainage system and that mitigation and maintenance easements be established as needed to protect county infrastructure.
