Drainage board OKs ditch vacation contingent on recorded replacement easement

Warrick County Drainage Board president (S1) and staff approved a motion to vacate an existing natural drain only after the developer builds a replacement ditch and records a replacement easement.

Stormwater staff (S2) and the developer’s representative (S3) told the board the existing ditch will remain in place until the new ditch is constructed and the easement recorded. As S3 said: “They're gonna leave the existing ditch there until they get the new ditch constructed, and then they'll turn around and go, as built it, turn in the new easement location, get it recorded, and then the old ditch will get filled in and hope easily get vacated.” The board added a 90‑day target for completing the replacement easement; S6, representing the property side, said, “I would say 3 months would be ample time.”

Board members and staff emphasized the need for clarity about where water will flow after vacationing the ditch. Staff asked that Cash Wagner submit a typical ditch cross section to the county surveyor’s office for the record so the new easement details are on file. The motion to vacate the ditch contingent on recording the replacement easement carried 3‑0.