By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Dakota City, IA – Local land owner is requesting improvements to nearby drainage district, needs neighboring farms approval.
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is discussing options on improvements to a drainage district. On Monday, July 13, the board was approached by local farmer and land owner Mark Daggy about issues of flooding in his fields during wetter seasons. Also present for the discussion was County Engineer Ben Loots.
The area in question is part of a district known as DD 88. Daggy is asking that the supervisors approve the installment of an enlarged tile under the road so the water can better flow away from his fields. However, after surveying other land owners and farmers along the district, Deputy Drainage Clerk Trish Erickson reports that 73% along that district were against the enlarged tile. With such high disapproval of the enlarged tile the supervisors informed Daggy they, due to code, are unable to approve an enlarged tile.
Erickson and the supervisors told Daggy it would be up to him to discuss the tile with his neighbors and convince them to approve the work. They say he needs to get that number under 70% to start the process and so the supervisors can hold a public hearing and discuss the possible approval. Erickson also says that it will require a 40 days’ notice of the public hearing so they can get the word out to the land owners and give them time to prepare to attend if they wish to plead their case.
There is already some work scheduled to occur along DD 88. Engineer Loots and Secondary Roads will be putting in a larger culvert with a 24 inch pipe under the road in September to help water flow. The current pipe is 15 inches and Loots says the large pipe will allow up to three times water flow. The road is also scheduled to be widened in the next couple years.
Daggy says he will continue to discuss the enlarged tile with his neighbors along the district. No action on the enlarged tile was taken by the board during their meeting.