The Miami Conservancy District (MCD) has ownership and easements over land that is necessary for the flood protection system. In addition, MCD has rights on certain lands as part of the trail system.

MCD may issue a permit for use of this land if certain requirements are met. The permit holder is responsible for complying with all federal, state and local regulations and obtaining all other necessary permits as a condition for receiving an MCD permit.

For information regarding use of MCD land or to apply for a permit, please contact Rick Doran, Property Administrator, (937) 223-1278 ext. 3219.

There are two common types of permits for use of MCD land:

Land Use Permit

MCD may issue a Land Use Permit when an applicant has requested long-term or annual use of MCD owned land, and MCD staff has determined that the use would not conflict with the operation and maintenance of the flood protection system and/or trail system. Typical permitted uses include but are not limited to farming, gravel removal, pipeline and utility cable installation, fences, wells and roadways. All applications must include detailed plans for the proposed use. MCD may require additional information such as a hydraulic analysis of the river channel or a land survey. The permit holder must agree to the terms and conditions in the permit and pay the permit fee, if applicable.

Temporary Permit

MCD may issue a Temporary Permit when an applicant has requested a short-term or one-time use of MCD owned land, and MCD staff has determined that the use would not conflict with the operation and maintenance of the flood protection system and/or trail system. Typical permitted uses include but are not limited to events such as festivals, farming, gravel removal, and access for bridge construction. All applications must include detailed plans and time requirements for the proposed use. MCD may require additional information such as a hydraulic analysis of the river channel or a land survey. The permit holder must agree to the terms and conditions in the permit and pay the permit fee, if applicable.

There are three common types of permits for use of property within a retarding basin:

Retarding Basin Permit

MCD holds easements on more than 35,000 acres of land in the five retarding basins — the land upstream of the dams and below the dams' spillway elevation. The easements allow MCD to flood the land during high-water events, control development, and enter the property for inspection.

MCD may issue a Retarding Basin Permit when an applicant wants to build certain structures — such as agricultural buildings — within the retarding basin. All permit appliations must include detailed plans for the proposed use. MCD may require additional information such as an elevation survey of the property. The permit holder must agree to the terms and conditions in the permit and pay the permit fee, if applicable.

Storage Compensation Agreement

MCD may issue a Storage Compensation Agreement when an applicant wants to place fill material within the retarding basin. No fill may be placed in the retarding basins without an agreement, and the agreement holder would be required to remove an equal amount of material from the retarding basin to compensate for the lost flood storage. All agreement applications must include detailed plans for the proposed project. MCD may require additional information such as an elevation survey of the property and storage calculations. The agreement holder must agree to the terms and conditions in the agreement and pay the agreement fee, if applicable.

 

Recreational Vehicle Permit

MCD may issue a Recreational Vehicle Permit when an application wants to temporarily place a trailer — recreational or commercial — within the retarding basin. All permit applications must include proposed location and purpose for the trailer. MCD may require additional information such as an elevation survey of the property. The permit holder must agree to the terms and conditions in the permit and pay the permit fee, if applicable.