To:
The Bartholomew County Drainage Board
Bartholomew County, Indiana

Subject:
Urgent Request for Construction of a Regulated Drain on Lots 38–42, Blair Thompson Addition

Petition Statement

We, the undersigned property owners within the Blair Thompson Addition, including Stephen and Sara Gillespie, respectfully petition the Bartholomew County Drainage Board to take immediate action to establish and construct a regulated drain on Lots 38–42 of the Blair Thompson Addition in Columbus, Indiana.

This request is made pursuant to the authority granted to the Drainage Board under Indiana Code Title 36, Article 9 (Drainage Systems), which empowers the Board to establish, construct, reconstruct, and maintain regulated drains when necessary to protect property, sanitation, environmental health, and the general welfare of affected landowners.

Statement of Need and Damages

The absence of a regulated drainage outlet serving this portion of the subdivision has resulted in substantial and ongoing damages. Stephen and Sara Gillespie have experienced significant financial, environmental, and health-related losses, including:

The loss of approximately one-third of their beehives, resulting in an estimated $5,000 in hardware losses and approximately $8,000 in honey harvest losses for the year
Destruction of planted trees and flowering plants
Severe land erosion and soil displacement
Ongoing septic field complications
Land conditions that make access to their apiary nearly impossible
Health concerns associated with prolonged standing water and unsanitary conditions
These impacts demonstrate that existing drainage is insufficient to protect land, improvements, and public health, a condition specifically contemplated under IC 36-9-27-33, which recognizes the need for regulated drains where inadequate drainage causes damage or risk to property and sanitation.

Public and Environmental Interest

The drainage issues affecting Lots 38–42 extend beyond individual property damage and present broader implications for the environmental integrity and community wellbeing of the Blair Thompson Addition. Proper drainage is fundamental to preventing landscape decay, protecting wildlife and pollinator habitats, and maintaining sanitary conditions necessary for residents’ health and safety.

Under IC 36-9-27-1, the Drainage Board is charged with oversight of drainage systems to promote sanitation, land preservation, and the welfare of the community. The current conditions within the Blair Thompson Addition clearly fall within this statutory responsibility.

Statutory Authority to Act

Indiana law further provides a mechanism for landowners to seek relief. Under IC 36-9-27-56, affected property owners may petition the Drainage Board for the construction of a regulated drain when inadequate drainage results in loss or damage. The documented erosion, infrastructure damage, environmental harm, and financial losses satisfy the criteria for drainage board review and action under Indiana law.

Benefits of a Regulated Drain

The construction of a regulated drain will:

Provide a sustainable and lawful drainage outlet for the subdivision
Prevent further erosion and property damage
Protect wildlife and pollinator ecosystems
Reduce health and sanitation risks
Preserve property values within the Blair Thompson Addition
Safeguard the long-term investments of all affected landowners
Request for Action

Pursuant to the authority granted under Indiana Code Title 36, Article 9, we respectfully request that the Bartholomew County Drainage Board:

Acknowledge the urgency and severity of the drainage deficiencies affecting Lots 38–42 of the Blair Thompson Addition
Approve and move forward with the establishment and construction of a regulated drain
Execute this project in a timely manner to prevent further environmental degradation, financial loss, and health concerns
Immediate action will not only correct existing conditions but will also prevent future complications related to inadequate drainage and environmental damage.

Call for Community Support

We urge fellow residents and all parties with a vested interest in the wellbeing of the Blair Thompson Addition to lend their support to this critical initiative. By signing this petition, you join us in calling upon the Bartholomew County Drainage Board to prioritize and implement a regulated drain that will make our neighborhood safer, healthier, and more sustainable.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen and Sara Gillespie
SarasHappyHives.com

Supporting Documentation and Exhibits
In support of this petition, and pursuant to the review authority of the Bartholomew County Drainage Board under Indiana Code Title 36, Article 9, the undersigned property owners submit and reference the following supporting materials, which are incorporated herein by reference:

Exhibit A – Location and Drainage Maps
A subdivision map of the Blair Thompson Addition, identifying Lots 38–42
Aerial imagery and/or topographic maps showing existing drainage patterns, water flow, pooling areas, and the absence of a regulated drainage outlet
Marked maps illustrating areas of erosion, standing water, and affected access routes
Exhibit B – Photographic Evidence
Photographs documenting flooding, standing water, soil erosion, damaged vegetation, and compromised land conditions
Images showing impaired access to the apiary and affected portions of the property
Visual documentation of septic field impacts and saturated soil conditions
Exhibit C – Loss and Damage Summary
A written summary of documented losses incurred by Stephen and Sara Gillespie, including:

Approximate loss of one-third of existing beehives
$5,000 in beekeeping equipment and hardware losses
Approximately $8,000 in honey harvest losses for the year
Destruction of planted trees, flowering plants, and landscaping
Land erosion and soil displacement
Septic system complications and related remediation concerns
Statements explaining how these losses are directly attributable to inadequate drainage and the absence of a regulated drain
Exhibit D – Environmental and Health Impact Statement
A brief narrative describing impacts to pollinators, wildlife habitat, soil stability, and water quality
Statements regarding health and sanitation concerns associated with prolonged standing water and drainage failure
Exhibit E – Additional Supporting Materials (If Applicable)
Contractor, agricultural, or professional estimates
Written statements from neighboring property owners
Any correspondence related to prior drainage concerns or attempted mitigation
Purpose of Exhibits
These exhibits are provided to assist the Drainage Board in:

Evaluating the severity and scope of the drainage deficiencies
Establishing the necessity of a regulated drain under IC 36-9-27
Determining public benefit, affected land area, and appropriate remedial action
The undersigned respectfully request that all submitted exhibits be entered into the record and considered as part of the Board’s review and decision-making process.