County hears flood concerns (03/12/07)

A flooding problem near the curve on Ind. 67 at its intersection with Ind. 26 west of Portland has one owner in that area concerned.

Meeting as the Jay County Drainage Board, commissioners today reviewed a letter from Jan Koch who lives on the south side of Ind. 67 just east of a curve near the Ind. 26/67 intersection.

The county geographic information system (GIS) shows that surface water in that area flows to the north through a tile that eventually empties into the Wehrly Ditch.

After discussing the possibility of replacing the tile that extends under highway as well as the prospect that a tile may be plugged, commissioner Gary Theurer said, "There's no easy solution to this."

"If there was it would already been done," commissioner Milo Miller Jr. added. "It's been repaired many times, but it's not very deep."

Commissioners Miller, Theurer, and Faron Parr agreed to have county surveyor Brad Daniels take a look at the situation before the March 26 drainage board meeting.

Daniels was not present for today's meeting.

The increased construction of large animal feeding operations continues to be of concern to two county women.

"You went the wrong way on that study," Janet Walker said about a study recently completed by Ball State University's Office for Better Communities. "Did anyone tell them what they really wanted? We spent a lot of money."

Walker has regularly urged commissioners to change the county's zoning regulations in regards to large livestock operations over the past several months.

Results of the study consisted of the financial impact the industry has on the county, as well as offering a few recommendations for zoning changes, but essentially told local officials they are in charge of controlling those operations.

"What are two things to work toward to make this 80 percent more tolerable?" Parr asked Walker and Paula Confer, who have both regularly encouraged commissioners to take more control.

"Trees around them," Confer said. "It would control the smell, the dust, and insects."

"Our creeks and waterways need to be protected," Walker added.

"The commissioners could have done something a year and a half ago," Miller said about adopting recommendations offered by the planning commission, "but it still wouldn't be what you want. It's like JR (Jack Ronald publisher of The Commercial Review) said about the commissioners dragging their feet."

"We're just trying to give you more insight on how to do your job," Confer said.

Concerning the disposal of waste in the county, Dave Houck, Environmentalist/Administrator Jay County Health Department, updated commissioners on his concerns about a couple of Amish construction projects.

Houck said Adams County is struggling with some members of the Amish community not following county and state regulations concerning building laws and septic system laws.

Houck said at this time there are nine Amish properties in Adams County that are facing legal action if the problems are not corrected.

"We're starting to see this in Jay County," he said. "They're not getting the proper (sewage and related) permits."

He said Amish homes are approved for underground pits for human waste and those pits are regularly pumped.

"The Amish do not have to have a sewer system," Houck said. Houck said he will keep commissioners updated on the situation.[[In-content Ad]]