Local farmers say repeated maintenance failed; urge drain reconstruction

Speakers who farm land in the watershed argued reconstruction is needed because routine maintenance has repeatedly failed and significant acreage remains unproductive. Mandy Young, trustee of the Richard Squire Family Trust, said her family purchased the property in 2010 with the understanding reconstruction would occur and described crop acres that are unusable because of standing water.

"So, we are definitely in support of it," Young said, noting her trust owns about 105 acres that would bear a substantial portion of the reconstruction cost. Jacob Walker of Walker Farms said he is the third generation urging reconstruction and asked the board not to push the decision to the next generation.

Supporters described the recurring nature of the problem, the economic impact on farm productivity, and the sense that past maintenance (including work about 10 years earlier) was ineffective. The board heard these public comments before taking up motions on the written objections and the surveyor's findings.