Local News

Farmers Opposed to Flood Relief Project

(La Porte County, IN) - A group of farmers worried about more standing water in their fields has come out against a plan to alleviate major flooding problems at a LaPorte County subdivision.

 

Several property owners along Kingsbury Creek alleging their land will be flooded by stormwater discharges from the subdivision voiced their concerns during Monday night's LaPorte County Council meeting.

 

A contract for over $1 million to carry stormwater from Meadowview subdivision to Kingsbury Creek was approved in early February by the La Porte County Commissioners. The La Porte County Council later approved the funding.

 

Dairy farmer Andy Minich said their water quality from the spring-fed creek about three miles south of LaPorte would also be negatively impacted by stormwater discharges from the subdivision into the stream. Minich feels for the residents of Meadowview Estates subdivision and the significant flooding problems they've experienced over the years. Still, he believes there has to be another solution suitable for both sides.

 

"Decisions like this can vastly alter our water quality in our agricultural community. Until now, the county council has only really heard one side of the story. Tonight, several people are here to share the other side of the story on the other end of the drainage pipe," Minich said.

Harold Barr, whose farmland borders the creek, said he would have spoken up sooner but wasn't notified that the project was under consideration to lower the water table in the subdivision.  

 

The plan requires installing a 1,000 foot long and 36-inch wide drainage pipe to carry excess stormwater from the subdivision to the creek. However, adjacent landowners claim the stream is in a designated wetland that can't handle the discharges without spilling over further onto their property.  

 

"I'll lose tillable acres over that," Barr said.

Dennis Lantz said the creek running through the middle of his property is already susceptible to flooding during heavy rains. Lantz said the creek had overrun its banks by 300 feet on his land without accepting stormwater discharges.

 

"1.3 million gallons a day is going to be the minimum that's going to come down there and go through that ditch bank," Lantz said.

Sherry Banic said the creek floods about once per year into her yard on the north side. She also alleged that the application for a permit from the state to construct the drainage pipe has "numerous errors," such as describing the creek and its surrounding area as not wetlands.

 

"I think it really needs to be really looked at again," Banic said.

The project has been years in the making at Meadowview Estates, where basement flooding happened when sump pumps used continuously stopped running during power outages and when they needed replacing. Several residents in tears from their constant battle with flood-related damage and mopping up floors recently thanked elected officials for their support of the project.

 

LaPorte County Council President Randy Novak suggested property owners near the creek take their concerns to the April 6 commissioner's meeting. He said the commissioners have the authority to either continue with the project as planned or stop it and find another solution.

 

"There needs to be more questions answered," Novak said.

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