SWCD outlines outreach and tools at county fair; residents press county on drainage and repeated flooding

Jim Hess of the Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District updated the board on summer outreach efforts, a new parcel-based web tool called "my land plan," participation at the 4-H fair (more than 250 participants in three days), and upcoming events including EnviroFest and a paydirt in-field demonstration on Aug. 27. Hess said the district has developed a stormwater assessment tool with University of Notre Dame and is planning an engineered wetlands pilot in Olive Township.

During privilege of the floor, Middlebury resident Gordon Henke described a drainage ditch beside his property that is filling with gravel and sediment coming from culverts and nearby facility operations; he said the town manager indicated it was not the town's responsibility and asked who maintains the ditch. County staff said they would check property records and follow up with Henke.

Timothy Klink recounted repeated flooding caused when a holding pond was drained in mid-May, which flooded his driveway and fields for days; he said bulky debris and culverting have increased erosion and asked who is responsible. County staff said the surveyor's office will contact Klink to arrange a meeting and site review.