A disputed request to install a culvert beneath an approach near U.S. Highway 281 north of Aberdeen was tabled Tuesday by the Brown County Drainage Board because board members have liability concerns.
Mike and James Beadle want a culvert beneath the approach that leads to Beadle Floral and Nursery at 12850 N. U.S. Highway 281 and Mike Beadle's home. But county commissioners, who serve as members of the drainage board, want more information from the state before they proceed.
The culvert would allow water to flow south to a different culvert that goes beneath U.S. Highway 281. That culvert allows the water to drain to the east.
Mike Beadle, who lives on the west side of the highway, said water is pooling on his property, covering his drain field and threatening his home and the business. But neighbors on the east side of the highway, especially those who live in the Fisher Estates subdivision, are opposed to the culvert in the approach. They worry that extra water will threaten their homes near the intersection of 281 and County Road 13.
Beadle said that the state Department of Transportation has already approved the culvert contingent on county approval.
Commissioners and Brown County State's Attorney Kimberly Dorsett, though, want the state to determine the effect of the new culvert on the rest of the neighborhood. They don't want the responsibility of flooding out homeowners by OK'ing the culvert.
The Beadles, neighbors and county commissioners agree that if the east ditch of U.S. Highway 281 were reshaped, drainage would improve considerably for everybody in the area. But in the past, state officials have said that would require a hydrology study. Local residents said they would pay to improve the ditch, but not for the hydrology study.
Sutton said he will visit with state officials about the matter later this week during a meeting to discuss a similar drainage problem in a different part of the county.
Commissioner Mike Wiese said a controlled culvert in the approach and reshaping of the ditch are both needed. Commissioners approved the work, but tabled the issue for a week contingent upon hearing from the state. If the project proceeds, the county has agreed to lower a culvert on County Road 13 to further improve drainage in the area.
Dorsett said the drainage board gives the county a way to monitor drainage projects and serves as a forum for people who have concerns about proposed drainage work. But approval from the drainage board does not absolve those whose projects are OK'd from liability for the damage they cause.
In other action Tuesday, the drainage board:
·Approved a request from Steve Cutler to do a trenching project about a quarter mile north of Claremont.
The trench, through private land, will allow water to drain through culverts beneath County Road 20 and to another trenching project on private land approved last year. Work cannot start until the James River has the capacity to handle more water.
·Approved a request from Sutton to pump water on private property south of Richmond Road, also known as County Road 13 and 129th Street, near his home south to Foote Creek. The project should help septic systems in the area. Sutton lives at 38459 129th St.
Nobody objected to the project. Sutton abstained from voting.
·Approved a request from Oneota Township allowing two short trenches between sloughs on private property near the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 and 116th Street. The work will allow water to drain to the south into the Elm River and should lower the water level on part of 116th Street.
·Approved a request from the state Department of Game, Fish and Parks to allow pumping of water on land north of Youth Camp Road at Richmond Lake to the west into the lake. The pumping cannot start until water stops flowing over the Richmond Lake spillway.
John Bame of the state GFP said the pumping will move water off of trails and the disc golf course near Richmond Lake.
Commissioners can revoke their approval for any of the projects in the event they cause other drainage problems.
