A. General (Section 3. III) A. General (Section 3. III)

A. General

Determining the scope of preliminary and final surveys takes detailed consideration. Insufficient detail can lead to retracing work and extra costs, while too much detail in the preliminary survey can lead to work that is not used due to changes throughout the project.

The engineer must consider several factors when determining the relative scope of the preliminary and final surveys. If insufficient detail is taken during the preliminary survey, much of the previous work may be retraced during the final survey, resulting in extra costs. However, if the preliminary survey is too detailed, much of the work will not be utilized if substantial project changes are made during the hearing process. Likewise, regulatory and reviewing agencies may request additional field data during the preliminary survey stage. It is recommended that the preliminary survey be made as complete as possible, meaning that the work is completed close to the standards demanded during the final survey. It is the responsibility of the engineer to select the appropriate level of detail at the preliminary survey stage to provide accurate estimates of the proposed project's cost, to meet the needs of reviewing agencies, and at the same time minimize surveying costs of the project.

(Note: Caution must be exercised during the preliminary survey to ensure that costs do not exceed the petitioner's surety bond. As the preliminary survey becomes more detailed in nature, the engineer must keep the petitioners' attorney and the drainage authority informed about cumulative costs - including an estimate of costs yet to be incurred. Additional surety bonds may need to be provided as work progresses.)

Proposed drainage projects require a preliminary survey and investigation of site conditions and the study of historical data to determine project feasibility and practicality as required by Minn. Stat. § 103E.245. The extent of investigation required for each project depends on the engineer's experience in the area, project needs and objectives, environmental attributes of the area (wetlands, public waters, etc.) and the amount of data already available.

Where the project is small, and the problems and their solutions are obvious, the extent of the survey may be limited. Larger or complex projects and those involving more environmental attributes will require a more extensive survey and analysis. In either case, there is a specified minimum amount of information that needs to be collected under the drainage code (see Minn. Stat. § 103E.245, Subds. 1 and 2). However, the engineer and the drainage authority are ultimately responsible for deciding the type and intensity of surveys and investigations which are needed for planning, design, and evaluation of the drainage project to meet the objectives of the petitioners and requirements of laws and regulations.

The engineer's preliminary report is prepared in response to a petition for a “drainage project” which is defined in Minn. Stat. § 103E.005 as a new drainage system, an improvement of a drainage system, an improvement of an outlet, or a lateral. Regardless of the type of drainage authority (county, joint county, or watershed district), the preliminary survey and investigation requirements are equivalent.

Note:
Petitions for Minn. Stat. § 103E.227 Impounding, Rerouting, and Diverting Drainage System Waters generate different requirements for investigation and reporting. Those reports are discussed in Section VI of this chapter.

An engineer's repair report as required in Minn. Stat. § 103E.715 Procedure for Repair by Petition also generates different survey and report requirements and is discussed separately in the Section VII of this chapter relating to Repairs of drainage systems.

If a petition falls under the authority of an established watershed district as a drainage authority, Min. Stat. § 103D.625 stipulates that all proceedings must follow Drainage Law.