Lomax homeowners press Grant County board for easement, wetlands and notification records

Homeowners in the Lomax/Lowmax area pressed the Grant County Drainage Board on March 31 for clearer public records, better notice of maintenance and precise easement lines after a lengthy public discussion about wetlands and past ditch relocation work.

Sarah Costello, who identified herself as the new president of the local homeowners association, told the board she and other residents want confirmation of whether easements run 75 feet from property lines or extend farther and requested written notice before any mowing, spraying or dredging. "We just want to get clarification before any work is being done," Costello said.

Residents said they could not find some older records that board members referenced, including minutes and legal descriptions from a 2007 relocation of the Lowmax ditch. Board members replied that portions of the historical record are on file and pointed attendees to minutes and large-format recorder maps; staff agreed to search for and provide the original materials where available. The board acknowledged some records appear to be missing from the recorder and surveyor offices and suggested additional searches of county files.

The exchange covered technical limits on maintenance near mitigation wetlands, where Army Corps flags mark vegetation-change lines. Board staff and the contractor said some maintenance (mowing and certain aquatic herbicide applications) is allowed outside flagged wetland areas but that placing soils or material in mitigation zones is restricted. Attendees and board members discussed access options — a culvert or pipe to reach west-side banks, use of causeways, and rock crossings — and agreed further study and a site visit are needed to identify durable access without violating wetland protections.

The board committed to provide maps and to work on better advance notification to individual landowners (not just the HOA) for future spray and maintenance operations. Members said more study and another meeting will likely be required before any large dredging or reconstruction starts.