Liaison-Key to Highway and Agricultural Drainage Programs

The solution of highway and agricultural drainage problems require knowledge of engineering practices and laws enacted by a particular jurisdiction. However, many of the problems that exist today have been the result of a lack of understanding or willingness of the various interests to accept their legal responsibilities rather than a lack of technical knowledge. Communication or the exchange of ideas and information is essential so that the highway authority can acquaint the landowners with proposed highway improvements at an early stage of planning and also learn their plans for conservation and drainage improvements. The development of a memorandum of understanding between the various agencies, organizations and landowners involved is the first step in solving mutual problems. Then the outlining of specific lines of communication is necessary if each agency is to fulfill its responsibilities. This paper presents some experience and suggests some procedures to follow to meet the challenge for better solutions to highway and agricultural drainage problems.