Minnesota | MNRRV - 6/15/2024 05:44
We have a main ditch that is not controlled (taxed) or maintained by watershed that has about 1800 acres of water that flows through it. The ditch is fed by 2 - 42” Culverts and one 24” culvert resulting in pretty significant flow on a 2-3” rain event. The absentee landowner enrolled this prime land into CRP about 5-6 years ago iand the ditch is now blocked preventing the flow of water to freely pass through his property consequently backing up water upstream and causing crop damage.
The absentee landowner has no reason to maintain his ditch as it’s not in crop production and the cost of maintaining it will just negatively affect his return on his investment.
How do we go about making him have his ditch cleaned and take responsibility for paying for the cleaning? Both up and down stream the individual landowners have maintained the ditch.
I have contacted the NRCS and waiting for an answer from them. Since it’s not a watershed taxed ditch system I don’t think they will assist.
Thanks for your input and this is in Minnesota so other states your drainage laws may differ.
Will the landowner let you clean it out if you don't charge him? If so that's what I would do. I cleaned out over a mile of ditch this last year that went through 2 separate land owners and didn't charge either, because it primarily benefitted my farm. I was just happy they agreed to letting me clean it out. |
Blocked ditch absentee landowner Minnesota?
