Drainage for agricultural purposes shall be consistent with those practices identified as appropriate for "good husbandry" given the soil types, slopes and crops. An agricultural drainage system may consist of both subsurface drainage systems and surface drainage systems. Where active Drainage Districts maintain drainage systems, they shall be consulted on surface and subsurface drainage within the district boundaries. Requirements applying to subsurface and surface drainage system shall be as follows:
(A) Subsurface drainage systems. Drain tile systems shall be maintained and constructed in accordance with subsurface drainage recommendations for the appropriate soil drainage group as specified by The Illinois Drainage Guide, University of Illinois Extension Service Circular No. 1226. Surface inlets into the subsurface drainage system shall be allowed only to maintain good husbandry. Where their use cannot be practicably avoided due to topography, they shall be installed using flow controls such as orifices and perforated risers with gravel filters and/or vegetative filters.
(B) Surface drainage systems. Surface drainage systems shall be maintained and constructed in accordance with surface drainage recommendations for the appropriate soil drainage group as specified by the Illinois Drainage Guide, University of Illinois Extension Service No. 1226. Surface drainage systems shall be built with geotechnically stable slopes and the surface when applicable shall be further stabilized utilizing the establishment of cool and warm season grass mixes as identified in Field Office Technical Guide (Illinois 108).
(C) Buffer strips. Open channels with a definable bed and banks shall use buffer strips in order to reduce the amount of erosion occurring from the conveyed flows as well as to help filter the runoff from the site into the waterway. Buffer strips shall be a minimum of 15 feet wide from the top of bank except where smaller widths are necessary due to site limitations and when approved by the Administrator.
(D) Agricultural drainage systems shall also comply with all regulations regarding wetlands as enforced by federal, state, and local agencies.
(Ord. 06-0383, passed 3-15-06)