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Public Ditch Management
About the County's Drainage Ditches
Public ditches were constructed to drain land and to collect water quickly and efficiently to provide better soil conditions and increase land available for the production of crops. Chisago County has eleven (11) public ditches extending over 55 miles in length. In addition to these public ditches, countless private drainage tile and private lateral ditch and public waters connections are connected to the counties eleven public ditches.
Drainage Authority
Determining the Correct Drainage Authority
County Drainage Authority
In the case of a drainage project or repair for one of the Chisago Counties eleven public ditch systems that are physically located within a single county, benefits a watershed within a single county, and where no watershed district has been organized, the drainage authority for the drainage project or repair is the county board of commissioners. (Minnesota Statutes 103E.202, subd. 4 (2015)). The county board has authority to conduct drainage work and to levy assessments, charges or other taxes only within the geographic limits of the county.
Joint County Drainage Authority
In the case of a drainage project involving one of Chisago Counties eleven public ditch systems located in two or more counties, or which benefits a watershed in two or more counties, the drainage authority is a joint county drainage authority, consisting of representatives from each of the county boards. (Minnesota Statutes 103E.235 (2015)). When a petition for a proposed joint county drainage project is filed, the board where the petition is filed shall notify the board of each county where the property is affected by the drainage system and request the boards to meet jointly and consider the petition. The boards shall select five of their members at the joint meeting to serve as the joint county drainage authority. (Minnesota Statutes 103E.235, subd. 2 (2015)).
Chisago County Drainage Authority
The purpose of the Chisago County Drainage Authority is to discuss and approve matters related to public ditches and drainage. Chisago County's Drainage Authority is made up of five (5) Chisago County Commissioners. Other involved with ditch proceedings include:
- Public Ditch Inspector
- County Attorney
- County Engineer & Public Works
- Interested landowners & their representatives
- State and federal agencies
Contact Us
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FOR QUESTIONS ON:
Chisago County Public Ditches:
Jeff Fertig
Wetland Specialist / Public Ditch Inspector
Phone: 651-213-8378
Email Jeff Fertig
Maintenance & Care of Public Ditches
Public Works Department
Phone: 651-213-8708
Email Public Works
Assessments, Maintenance Levies & Records of Ditch Proceedings
Auditor-Treasurer's Office
Phone: 651-213-8509
Email the Auditor-Treasurer