Park West Drain Update
March 22nd, 2010Park West Drain Update: March 22, 2010
The large drain project, known as the Park West Drain, has been under the jurisdiction of the Ottawa County Drain Commissioner since August of 2009. While Park Township studied the causes and solutions to high water, and recommended to the Drain Commissioner to construct a relief drain in the western portion of the township, the routing, financing and district boundary decisions are the responsibility of the Drain Commissioner. As per state law, Drain Commissioners are elected officials that operate independently from county, township or even state supervision. Once a drain has been “established” by the Commissioner, the Commissioner has complete control of the entire project. (For additional information please reference the attached graphic entitled “Drainage District and Drain Construction Procedures.”)
We at Park Township have made available to our residents the same information we have received from the Drain Commissioner.
The information we delivered to the Drain Commissioner back in August, 2009, suggested an enclosed drain that ran from the northern portion of the township south to Lake Macatawa, generally along 168th Avenue. That proposed route could change significantly as it was based on preliminary engineering studies. The Drain Commissioner is now having more detailed engineering studies completed, and he has the sole discretion to determine if a different design or route would better serve the public.
At this point, the Drain Commissioner has reported to us that the drain route and the final engineering have not yet been completed, although he is narrowing the alternatives. He has indicated that it appears that the final route will come very close to the route Park Township suggested back last August.
The Drain Commissioner has also told Park Township that he will provide copies of maps and other materials once the final engineering and route are complete. We will make that information available to you once it is received. Once the route is finalized, there will also be a final determination by the Drain Commissioner of the drainage district boundary. Those property owners within the final district will also be notified by the Drain Commissioner, via US MAIL, as to that fact and will also receive information as to any financial impacts.
For additional information, please keep watching this site for updated information, visit the website of the Ottawa County Drain Commissioner at www.miottawa.org/CoGov/Drain, or call his office at 616-994-4530
Attachment: Drainage District and Drain Construction Procedures
Resident Guide to the Park West Drain
Citizens Guide to the Drain Code
Environment & Energy Committee
