A petition for the creation of the Tippecanoe Lakes Conservancy District was filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday by David L. Hollenbeck, attorney, Valparaiso.

It seeks to establish the conservancy district and follows an effort to gain enough signatures from residents in the area to begin the process of establishing a sewer district that would serve the lake area.

It lists the 10 reasons for the establishment of the district. Those include:

• The existence of soils that are undesirable for installation of septic systems and incompatible with proper septic system operation.

• Many existing septic systems located in close proximity to water wells in violation of State Health Department criteria.

• Many septic systems reaching their useful life.

• Septic systems located at or below the lake water level.



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• Poor care and maintenance of existing septic systems during their estimated 20-year life cycle.

• Prevention of lake and ground water pollution from aging and malfunctioning septic systems.

• Preventing pollution via treatment systems that centralize treatment and deploy advanced technologies.

• Need for protection of ground water resources.

• Reduction in potential for public health issues associated with malfunctioning septic systems.

• Need for providing basic infrastructure for economic growth, revitalization of existing neighborhoods and sustainability of the environment.

The petition also states the establishment of the district will promote general good health, safety and welfare of the area, as well as surrounding communities.

The cost and damages of the district will be less than the beneficial value to the residents and territories involved, it states.

According to the document, it is anticipated that maintenance and operation of any works of improvement constructed and operated by the proposed conservancy district will be funded by a combination of user charges as well as a tax levy.

Five directors will be appointed to serve on the board of directors. After the initial appointment, the election will be by those individuals legally entitled to vote.

Upon creation of the district, the Circuit Court will be asked to divide it into subdistrict areas which must be equal to the number of members of the board of directors, the petition states.

The Kosciusko County Commissioners have expressed concerns with the plan because it would allow the district to establish a tax levy that would help pay for construction of the sewer system.