70 likes | 164 Views
Status Update 2010. Redetermination of Ditch Benefits in the Minnesota River Basin. Statistics. 19 counties have done ROBs in last 5 years, 15 counties have not .
E N D
Status Update 2010 Redetermination of Ditch Benefits in the Minnesota River Basin
Statistics • 19 counties have done ROBs in last 5 years, 15 counties have not. • 5 counties have ordered all systems to be redetermined. Most counties only do redeterminations when petitioned for by landowners or ordered by drainage authority in conjunction with a major repair of the system. • Of the ROBs that have been done, officials indicated that 75% were completed with positive support from the public and 25% involved negative actions.
Statistics • Most ditches that “require” buffers have already been buffered. (appeared to be a lot of differences in perceptions about what systems were required to have buffers) • Most counties active in redeterminations are located in the southern portion of the basin where drainage greatly increases land value – northern and western portions of the basin largely did not view ROB as needed or beneficial.
Redetermination of Benefits Status Minnesota River Basin
Hindrances to ROB • Cost • Time • Process viewed as unnecessary • Political issues • Counterproductive landowners
Problems Encountered • Outdated ditch laws • Errors • Initiating the process • Buffers
Insight • Apparent need for additional clarification and consistency among all involved. • Order redeterminations rather than have them petitioned. • Increase/Improve communications between ditch authorities and landowners. • Allow landowners to meet with viewers prior to final meeting. • Remind option of buffer programs – make sure programs can be utilized prior to ROB.