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LRRWMO Meeting Minutes - 2nd Generation Watershed Plan Public Hearing • May 21, 1997 Page 2 damming up the ditches and asked how much changeover is allowable of water from the County ditches. Bonnie Dehn noted these aze agriculture sensitive creeks, and about 40 of their acres were flooded when the Rum River backed up this spring. As a result, they lost a large amount of perennial root stock from the wash-out effect. Mr. Dehn stated another concern is if Anoka County has jurisdiction over when the County ditches are cleaned. He explained some of the County ditches aze improperly installed in the roadway and this results in washing out their fields and eroding soil. Haas explained the LRRWMO requires permits for developments adjacent to a Class A or B water body. Mr. Dehn expressed some concern that upstream property owners may have created dams that blocked the ditches which has resulted in enlazging the ponding azea. Haas explained the County ditches aze under the jurisdiction of Anoka County who requires permits to work on their ditches. Ms. Dehn explained it is the actions of adjacent property owners who have dammed ditches which has resulted in other properties not draining properly. Since they own a farm, they have to clean the • ditches more often than the norm. Haas inquired regazding the source of the sand in the ditch. Mr. Dehn explained the majority of the sand resulted from upstream developments, not when the neighbors dammed the ditches. Ms. Dehn added the ditch sometimes contains fish and she believes it makes sense to leave this ditchway alone since it is aesthetically pleasing. Haas advised Anoka County is the ditch authority and, perhaps, they should contact the County regarding these activities and whether a permit has been issued. With regazd to cleaning ditches, the developer is responsible for cleaning if their action resulted in this problem. Haas explained the LRRWMO, at this point, is not interested in taking over jurisdiction of County ditches. Jankowski added that Anoka County is responsible for their ditches but it is up to individual communities to pursue maintaining County ditches within their boundaries. He further explained the groups that are responsible to assure sedimentation is not impacting properties off site. Ms. Dehn expressed concern with the lack of capillary action if next spring is not as dry as this year and stated it will impact their farm. She asked if the DNR has restrictions on this type of ponding activity on the creek. Mr. Dehn clarified the ponding work was not done by a developer, it was done by the actual homeowner. Haas stated the LRRWMO has issued permits for Hunter's Hollow located east of Round Lake Boulevazd as well as for Erhart's project west of Round lake Boulevazd. Ms. Dehn stated if a permit was issued, then the LRRWMO should take responsibility to assure the work does not impact other's property.