MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Walden Pond development has come forward and requested work be done to Daniels drain. It runs along grand river and has condominiums and apartments built around it.

There are several issues with the drain.

Derek Perry Assistant Township Manger explains its issues, "The culvert that runs under grand river is failing and it needs to be addressed. Theres two culverts or inlets into the pond itself and it really was designed for one and the second one was added as development occurred to the south of the walden pond condominiums so there needs to be some analysis on whether the pond needs to be some analysis on whether the pond needs to be upsized or altered in some way to handle that additional flow."

Aside from the issues with the culvert, there are problems with its water quality from road run off as well as sediments in the pond that need to be removed.

The only way that improvements can be made is through the Ingham County drain commission where a petition process is required.

To take the first steps in this process the township board will be holding a special meeting on September 29 to inform those affecting by the drain.

If community members do decide to go forward with the project those involved will be required to pay for the improvements through a special assessment process.