By State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper)
Property owners know their land best, and in recent years, they have expressed frustrations to lawmakers about government micromanagement of drainage activities on land they own.
That's why I supported Senate Enrolled Act 140 this year, which will streamline drainage efforts across Indiana.
This new law will require the Indiana Department of Agriculture to oversee the publication of an updated drainage handbook, which will provide direction to property owners and government officials on how to best handle drainage activities in our state's streams and ditches.
The drainage handbook has not been updated in 25 years, and updating it will allow property owners – especially Hoosier farmers – to have an accurate overview of what they can do and can't do to deal with drainage issues on their land.
This law also requires the state to create a 15-member Drainage Handbook Advisory Board representing different stakeholders in Indiana's drainage laws. This will ensure all Hoosiers impacted by our drainage laws have a seat at the table.
With an updated handbook, some of the frustrations within the agriculture community across Indiana should be resolved regarding the regulation of drainage activities.
This law also clarifies what a property owner can do without a government permit to remove logjams from a river or stream on their property. This will allow a property owner to remove a log jam in a way that presents the lowest risk of physical injury, including the use of mechanical equipment.
Senate Enrolled Act 140 was signed into law in March and will go into effect on July 1.
As always, constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns they may have by filling out a "Contact Me" form on the IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Messmer website or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
