The purpose of this post is to inform you that a public hearing has been scheduled on the proposed vacation of a portion of Kemper Ditch, Arm 18, a regulated drain currently under the jurisdiction and authority of the Porter Co. Drainage Board. Such public hearing will take place at a regular meeting of the Porter Co. Storm Water Advisory Board, to be held on Mon., Sep. 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. local time at the Porter Co. Administration Center, 155 Indiana Ave., Ste. 205, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383.
This exhibit identifies that portion of Kemper Ditch, Arm 18 which is proposed to be vacated, as well as the watershed that is served by such portion of the drain.
Kemper Ditch, Arm 18 is a drain tile that was constructed in 1914 for the purpose of draining wet and low lands to make them sufficiently dry and productive, fertile, and valuable for farming and agricultural purposes. A review of records associated with the regulated drain indicates that a minimal amount of maintenance and upkeep has taken place on the drain over the last 100+ years and, based on the Department’s investigation of the drain, the drain appears to no longer perform the functions for which it was designed and constructed. At this point, there would be significant difficultly and expense associated with any attempt to reconstruct the drain and the Department believes that adequate drainage and storm water management services can be provided to the watershed without the reconstruction of the drain. In addition, the vacation of that portion of Kemper Ditch, Arm 18 which is proposed to be vacated will allow for the restoration of some of the wetlands that were drained when the drain was originally constructed.
Written questions and/or comments regarding the proposed vacation may be filed with the Department, at the address below, prior to such public hearing. Such written statements and/or verbal questions and/or statements related thereto will be heard at such public hearing. Information related to the proposed vacation is available for viewing at the Porter Co. Department of Development & Storm Water Management, 155 Indiana Ave., Ste. 311, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383, as well as online at www.portercountystormwater.org.