April 16, 2024

Indiana Farm Bureau seminar on drainage regulation to be held virtually

An attendee asks a question at last year’s in-person Drainage School event.

INDIANAPOLIS — Registration is now open for Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual Drainage School. To ensure the safety of attendees, this year’s event will be hosted virtually, via the online video conference platform, Zoom.

Farmers, public officials, agency personnel and attorneys are encouraged to attend from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 26. Because this year’s event is virtual, it will be free for all attendees.

Drainage School promotes an understanding of the laws and regulations impacting drainage decisions in Indiana. Attendees will gain a greater knowledge of drainage law and dispute resolution.

Speakers also will share relevant case studies and actionable steps for landowners and those working with landowners. The change in format for this year’s seminar will allow for more participants to attend.

“Drainage School is one of our most popular events each year and our attendees walk away better equipped to make fully informed drainage decisions for the future,” said INFB President Randy Kron. “If you’ve ever wanted to attend the seminar, but the distance, cost or time commitment made it difficult, this is a great opportunity to attend virtually.”

Speakers represent a variety of industries including agriculture, local and state government and law. The seminar schedule, with speakers and topics, is:

• 9 to 9:30 a.m. — Legislative Update (Stormwater Task Force and Joint Waterways Permitting), Jeff Cummins, INFB.

• 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. — River Basin Commission Update, state Sen. Rick Niemeyer; state Rep. Doug Gutwein; and Scott Pelath, executive director, Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin development commissioner.

• 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. — Interactions Among Overlapping Drainage Jurisdictions, Kendell Culp, INFB vice president and Jasper County commissioner; Vince Urbano, Jasper County surveyor; and Dan Blaney, Blaney & Walton — Iroquois conservancy district.

• 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. — WOTUS Update/Maui Case, Fred Andes, Barnes & Thornburg.

• 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. — Boucher and Swampbuster, Michael Cooley, Allen Wellman McNew Harvey, LLP.

Registration for the event is required. Attendees may register at www.infb.org/events through Aug. 20. Continuing education credits for attorneys are being sought.