Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1934-08-23
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy
District News Notes

District News Notes
Approximately 10000 parcels of
land will be acquired by outright
purchase or by easement in proc
ess of completing the $35,290,00o
flood control and water conserva-
tion project of the Muskingum Wa
tershed Conservancy district. But
there will be no csiseling on the
part of the district. according to an
Official statement issued By Charles
III. Spencer of Newark, chairman of
the board of appraisers. Mr.. Spen-
Ger also made it clear that values
are not being established at the
present time.
'No arrangements for purchase of
land or easement C mpensation will
be made until the conservancy court
approves the general plan," Mr..
Spencer said. Between now and
September 10 property owners are
privileged to inspect the plans and
are entitled by law to file objection
in writing to these plans. Objec-
tions will be heard by the board Of
directors starting September 21.
But no one is authorized even to
discuss values at this time" Fair
ness in establishing values is our
prime object said Mr.. Spencer.
"There will be no disposition to beat
down prices. Reports that we will
seek to take undue advantage of the
property owner are wholly untrue"
Mr. Spencer and G. w. Ullon, ap-
praisal engineer, explained that as
soon as the conservancy court ap-
proves the plan, appraisers will
make detailed Investigations of all
property - approximately $4,000
rural and 5000 urban pieces-in-
volved in the reservoir program.
A number of churches and several
cemeteries are located in reservoir
areas. In one instance, a cemetery
of 500 graves will be moved.
In the case Of rural property, the
appraisal data to be collected as a
basis for purchase and easement
will include the classification of
or tillable; pasture, timber, orchard,
waste; type and condition of soil;
topography, drainage, availability
to markets, schools, churches; i'm
provements; kind Of buildings, age,
construction, stories, rooms, foun-
dations, etc. Flood data will de-
scribe the area within the maximum
flow line, and the frequency, depth
and duration of foods.
For urban property the appraisal
data will be about the same In
each instance, the property owner,
will be consulted. The appraisal in
spectors will then make recon-
mendations as to values, damages,
etc, and turn the complete picture
over to the board of appraisers for
final determination. The district
will bend every effort to reach an
agreement with the property owner.
If an agreement is impossible, the
district will then institute legal
| proceedings to acquire the property.
Such action will be taken before a
! jury in common pleas court in the
county in which the property is To-
Gated. "Let us not forget that this
| is a government project" said Mr..
Spencer. "The property owner has
every possible reason to expect
and get-fair treatment"
Property within the permanent
lake areas will be purchased out
right for cash. Property outside Of
the lake limits, but within the
reservoir basin, will be purchased
outright or an easement taken, Civ
ing the district the right to provide
flood control on the land. In each
case the district will undertake to
make an arrangement fully satisfac-
tory to the land owner.
The amount of easement COM
pensation paid to the owner will
depend upon the frequency, depth
and duration of floods on his prop
erty. Easement rights will be paid
for in cash, the owner reserving the
right to cultivate all or part of the
acreage under easement. All build
ings, however, will be removed at
the districts expense.