Two petitions for wetland restoration and a petition for a pond construction were unanimously approved Thursday by the Kosciusko County Drainage Board.

Devon Faulkner's petition was to restore a shallow water wetland within a tile arm of the Wyland Drain. Water would be impounded by construction of an earthen levee and water level would be controlled by means of a box structure at the outlet.

The site is south of CR 450S and east of CR 400E in Monroe Township. All adjacent property owners were notified and had no objections.

Kosciusko County Surveyor Dick Kemper said he saw no adverse effects with the proposed water levels on the adjacent property owners' land. He has inspected the site.

Jeff Kiefer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, was present as Faulkner's agent. The wildlife agency assists landowners when they want to do a shallow wildlife restoration, often at no cost.

The other wetland restoration proposal was from Ken McIntosh. McIntosh petitioned to vacate Dahm drain and restore a shallow water wetland.

The property is south of Old Road 30E and west of Robinson Lake Road in Washington Township.

Dahm drain has never had a maintenance fund set up for it and has never been actively maintained. However, Kemper said, "To be on the safe side, that's why we want the vacation."

Kiefer, acting as an agent for McIntosh as well, said McIntosh wants to restore the wetland mainly for waterfowl. He said they anticipate no impact on the neighbors.

"My recommendation would be to approve it," said Kemper.

The petition to construct a pond through a 12-inch county-regulated tile drain was brought before the board by Ted Parker.

The drain is west of CR 500W and south of CR 1200S in Seward Township, southwest of Silver Lake.

The petition was not for a drain vacation but an approval for a project within a county-regulated drain. Kemper said he does not believe there will be any adverse drainage impact on adjacent properties and that the pond will actually provide some additional storm water detention before draining downstream to Silver Creek.

"I don't see anything wrong with it myself," said board member Eldon Watkins. He moved to approve the petition.

There is a procedure for petitioners to have ponds or shallow water wetlands constructions that affect county-regulated drains to be approved.

First, the petitioner must determine whether or not a county-regulated drain or drain easement is involved or affected. A county drain is affected if construction of levees, dams or other control structures is within the drainage maintenance easement or if impounded water will impact storm water drainage within the drain.

A plan must then be prepared that delineates the area to be a pond or shallow water wetland. It is suggested that a petitioner seek the assistance of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service or a private consultant in preparing the plans.

Third, the petition must be filed and forms are available in the county surveyor's office. The petition must be returned to the county surveyor's office who will then review the petition and plans.

Finally, the petition is scheduled by the surveyor's office to be heard before the drainage board.

The process requires the notification of adjacent landowners.

Any questions can be directed to the surveyor's office at 372-2367.

Members of the drainage board include: president Brad Jackson, Donald Goon, Eldon Watkins, Maurice McDaniel and Dorris Harrold.

The board meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 9:30 a.m. in the Kosciusko County courthouse. [[In-content Ad]]