Somewhere under a tangle of Thorn apple trees, green stagnated water and cattails lie miles of county drains’some more than 100 years old.
Originally designed to drain water from farmers? fields during spring rains, the ribbons of three-foot deep ditches through woods, fields, and meadows have for the most part blended into the topography of the rural countryside.
Recently, the drains have become a focal point for local officials, who say that the Oakland County Drain Commission have ignored maintenance and shrugged their responsibly with regard to upkeep on the drains.
‘The poor drainage effects the roads and property,? said Ron Lapp, Brandon Township supervisor. ‘Many of these county drains are full of trees and brush, with poor water flow.?
Lapp recently contacted John McCulloch, Oakland County Drain Commissioner with a list of Brandon Township drains and requested information regarding future plans for the maintenance. In addition, funding of any drain work was also questioned, ‘if we’re paying for these drains to be cleaned where’s the money going?? added Lapp.
Last week McCulloch responded to Lapp’s concerns regarding the 13 county drains in the 36 square miles of Brandon Township.
‘Cleaning these drains is very costly,? said McCulloch. ‘We just don’t have the financial resources to clean out every mile of drains in the township.?
McCulloch said that $1,500 per mile is assessed to those property owners within the drainage district. No administration fees are deducted from the assessment and each drain has its own specific account. If the money is not used then the assessment is not charged.
A maximum of $2,500 can be set aside for maintenance, far less than needed to do the job, which McCulloch estimates at $1,000 per day.
The drain code, established many years ago is outdated with regard to today’s need, said McCulloch, thus ‘any improvements needs to be done by the township, with the Oakland County Drain Commission as only a facilitator in the process. We’re just a service provider’if the township needs a drain cleaned we’ll help with the planning and environmental aspects.? Other communities use general funds or hold a public hearing to collect additional assessments for drain repair.
‘These drains? function has changed as the environment in which they exist has changed. It’s imperative that communities are proactive in their approach before building and development’a lot of headaches can be alleviated.?
McCulloch added that often the drains serve as wetlands in remote areas and function as a refuge for wildlife today.
Kathy Fraser, Environmental Planner and Public Education coordinator of Oakland County says the drains can have a big environmental impact that may effect many aspects of the community.
‘Since the drains were built the environment has changed’just digging out the ditch can effect water resources in a larger area. It can put the environment at risk, not to mention property.?