Opinion ID: 513964
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Basins A & B and Ditches 1 & 5

Text: 31 Basins A and B are in the east central portion of the farm. Ditch 1 runs from B to A and Ditch 5 from A into another Basin. Water flows from B to A. 32 Judge Devitt found that excavations and alterations of Ditches 1 and 5 have affected Basins A and B. 33 Exhibit E (1966) showed that Basins A and B contained water. In May, 1976 the woods surrounding the basins had been cleared. In May, 1978 Basin A contained a large pile of debris and had a poorly-defined ditch (5) running from it. Basin B was filled with water at the time and had no ditch flowing from it. By November, 1978 both basins were poorly defined and worked up. Basin A had soil in it. In May, 1979 debris around Basin A included acquatic vegetation. In June of that year, McLaury requested restoration of Basin B, particularly that soil be removed to the basin's original depth. By May, 1980, McLaury no longer considered Basins A and B to be wetlands. In 1981, 18 inches of fill were found in A and both A and B were in standing crop in August of that year, although water was standing in other nearby wetland areas. 34 The 1966 photo did not show Ditch 1, but by November, 1978 the ditch was constructed. In May, 1979 exposed clay indicated that soil had been removed from the ditch. Jerome admitted that he veed out the ditch to allow farm machinery to pass. In May, 1978 Ditch 5, leading from Basin A, was poorly defined. A November, 1978 photo showed excavation in the ditch, and a May, 1979 photo showed exposed clay. Jerome admitted that he removed trees in the area and sloped out the ditch. 35 The finding of violation is not clearly erroneous and supports the order that defendant restore these ditches and basins. There was also evidence that there had been some filling of the basins, although there was a dispute over the extent. Judge Devitt made no specific finding on this point. If in the process of restoration, the parties are unable to agree on the amount and types of material to be removed from Basins A and B, it will be necessary for the court to make additional findings, hearing additional evidence, if necessary.