748.9 Legal Aspects of Hydraulic Design - Revision history

Smithk: Per Bridge, revisions and renumbering due to moving EPG 748.7 to EPG 747

2014-12-09T13:31:34Z

Per Bridge, revisions and renumbering due to moving EPG 748.7 to EPG 747

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:31, 9 December 2014
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	[[image:748.10 Iron County Court House.jpg\|right]]		[[image:748.10 Iron County Court House.jpg\|right]]
	==748.10.1 Overview==		==748.9.1 Overview==
	An understanding of drainage law is essential to the responsible design of highway drainage facilities. In general, the following statements can be made about the legal aspects of hydraulic design:		An understanding of drainage law is essential to the responsible design of highway drainage facilities. In general, the following statements can be made about the legal aspects of hydraulic design:

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	*Drainage law standards are becoming more flexible and depending more on the circumstances of each particular case. The designer is advised to consult with the Chief Counsel's Office on any matters involving potential legal liability or litigation.		*Drainage law standards are becoming more flexible and depending more on the circumstances of each particular case. The designer is advised to consult with the Chief Counsel's Office on any matters involving potential legal liability or litigation.

	==748.10.2 Federal Laws==		==748.9.2 Federal Laws==
	The State is required to comply with all Federal Laws. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) includes all regulations in force at time of publication. The following federal laws significantly affect highway drainage design:		The State is required to comply with all Federal Laws. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) includes all regulations in force at time of publication. The following federal laws significantly affect highway drainage design:

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	*Fish and Wildlife regulations (endangered species, etc.)		*Fish and Wildlife regulations (endangered species, etc.)

	==748.10.3 State Laws==		==748.9.3 State Laws==
	===748.10.3.1 Reasonable Use Rule===		===748.9.3.1 Reasonable Use Rule===
	State law regarding surface waters and flood waters generally follows the Reasonable Use Rule, stated as follows:		State law regarding surface waters and flood waters generally follows the Reasonable Use Rule, stated as follows:

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	*The definition of reasonable is unclear, and will vary on a case by case basis. However, the test for reasonableness should consider such items as the amount of harm caused, the foreseeability of harm and the purpose or motive of altering surface flows.		*The definition of reasonable is unclear, and will vary on a case by case basis. However, the test for reasonableness should consider such items as the amount of harm caused, the foreseeability of harm and the purpose or motive of altering surface flows.

	===748.10.3.2 Stream Water Rules===		===748.9.3.2 Stream Water Rules===
	In addition to the reasonable use rule, interference with the flow of a natural watercourse causing damage to another party or diversion of flow from one watercourse to another will generally result in liability.		In addition to the reasonable use rule, interference with the flow of a natural watercourse causing damage to another party or diversion of flow from one watercourse to another will generally result in liability.

	===748.10.3.3 Eminent Domain/Inverse Condemnation===		===748.9.3.3 Eminent Domain/Inverse Condemnation===
	A structure that impacts either surface waters or stream waters is likely to result in liability to the adversely affected landowner. If the right to do so is not acquired by deed or condemnation, the landowner may institute an inverse condemnation suit, which, if successful, will result in award of damages and attorney's fees.		A structure that impacts either surface waters or stream waters is likely to result in liability to the adversely affected landowner. If the right to do so is not acquired by deed or condemnation, the landowner may institute an inverse condemnation suit, which, if successful, will result in award of damages and attorney's fees.

	==748.10.4 Local Laws==		==748.9.4 Local Laws==
	Generally, the State is not required to comply with local ordinances, except where compliance is required by State statute. The State may choose to comply as a matter of courtesy if no burden is imposed on the State.		Generally, the State is not required to comply with local ordinances, except where compliance is required by State statute. The State may choose to comply as a matter of courtesy if no burden is imposed on the State.

	==748.10.5 Common Drainage Complaints==		==748.9.5 Common Drainage Complaints==
	See [[748.1 Evaluation of Project Impacts#748.1.4 Common Drainage Complaints\|Evaluation of Project Impacts - Common Drainage Complaints]].		See [[748.1 Evaluation of Project Impacts#748.1.4 Common Drainage Complaints\|Evaluation of Project Impacts - Common Drainage Complaints]].

	==748.10.6 Significant Court Decisions==		==748.9.6 Significant Court Decisions==
	Hines Implement - Court decision imposes liability for upstream water damage caused by diverting surface water if use is deemed unreasonable. Reasonableness is determined on a case by case basis. This case represents the first use of the Reasonable Use Rule in a decision involving MoDOT.		Hines Implement - Court decision imposes liability for upstream water damage caused by diverting surface water if use is deemed unreasonable. Reasonableness is determined on a case by case basis. This case represents the first use of the Reasonable Use Rule in a decision involving MoDOT.

	The department can be held liable for downstream impacts. This has not been affected by the Hines Implement case.		The department can be held liable for downstream impacts. This has not been affected by the Hines Implement case.

	==748.10.7 Negligence and Liability==		==748.9.7 Negligence and Liability==
	No hydraulic design is without risk, and some degree of risk must be accepted in the final design. However, damages that were not anticipated in the design may be viewed as due to negligence. It is appropriate to have foreseen the possibility of damage, weighed it against other factors, and accepted that risk as a proper exercise of discretionary judgment. Use of sound engineering judgment, accepted design procedures and sufficient documentation is essential, and provides a defense against liability due to negligence.		No hydraulic design is without risk, and some degree of risk must be accepted in the final design. However, damages that were not anticipated in the design may be viewed as due to negligence. It is appropriate to have foreseen the possibility of damage, weighed it against other factors, and accepted that risk as a proper exercise of discretionary judgment. Use of sound engineering judgment, accepted design procedures and sufficient documentation is essential, and provides a defense against liability due to negligence.

	In theory, an engineer may be held personally liable for negligent design; however such suits have never been filed to date against a MoDOT engineer. If a suit is filed and the engineer cooperates with the CCO, the engineer will be provided a complete defense and MHTC will pay any damages awarded.		In theory, an engineer may be held personally liable for negligent design; however such suits have never been filed to date against a MoDOT engineer. If a suit is filed and the engineer cooperates with the CCO, the engineer will be provided a complete defense and MHTC will pay any damages awarded.

	==748.10.8 Levee Attachments==		==748.9.8 Levee Attachments==

	Information concerning levees on MHTC right of way and roadway embankments versus levees is located in [[:Category:203 Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction#203.2.5 Levee Attachments\|EPG 203 ~~Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction~~]].		Information concerning levees on MHTC right of way and roadway embankments versus levees is located in [[:Category:203 Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction#203.2.5 Levee Attachments\|EPG 203.2.5 Levee Attachments]].

	[[Category:748 Hydraulics and Drainage\|748.10]]		[[Category:748 Hydraulics and Drainage\|748.10]]

Smithk: 748.10 Legal Aspects of Hydraulic Design moved to 748.9 Legal Aspects of Hydraulic Design: Per Bridge, renumbering due to moving EPG 748.7 to EPG 747

2014-12-09T13:29:18Z

748.10 Legal Aspects of Hydraulic Design moved to 748.9 Legal Aspects of Hydraulic Design: Per Bridge, renumbering due to moving EPG 748.7 to EPG 747

← Older revision	Revision as of 08:29, 9 December 2014
(No difference)

Smithk: /* 748.10.8 Levee Attachments */ minor clarification

2010-04-05T14:13:51Z

748.10.8 Levee Attachments: minor clarification

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:13, 5 April 2010
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	==748.10.8 Levee Attachments==		==748.10.8 Levee Attachments==

	Information concerning levees on MHTC right of way and roadway embankments versus levees is located in [[:Category:203 Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction#203.2.5 Levee Attachments\|203 Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction]].		Information concerning levees on MHTC right of way and roadway embankments versus levees is located in [[:Category:203 Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction#203.2.5 Levee Attachments\|EPG 203 Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction]].

	[[Category:748 Hydraulics and Drainage\|748.10]]		[[Category:748 Hydraulics and Drainage\|748.10]]

EPG-Admin: add section concerning "levee attachments" with a link to 203.2.5 Levee Attachments

2009-06-01T19:52:22Z

add section concerning "levee attachments" with a link to 203.2.5 Levee Attachments

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:52, 1 June 2009
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	In theory, an engineer may be held personally liable for negligent design; however such suits have never been filed to date against a MoDOT engineer. If a suit is filed and the engineer cooperates with the CCO, the engineer will be provided a complete defense and MHTC will pay any damages awarded.		In theory, an engineer may be held personally liable for negligent design; however such suits have never been filed to date against a MoDOT engineer. If a suit is filed and the engineer cooperates with the CCO, the engineer will be provided a complete defense and MHTC will pay any damages awarded.

			==748.10.8 Levee Attachments==

			Information concerning levees on MHTC right of way and roadway embankments versus levees is located in [[:Category:203 Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction#203.2.5 Levee Attachments\|203 Roadway and Drainage Excavation, Embankment and Compaction]].

	[[Category:748 Hydraulics and Drainage\|748.10]]		[[Category:748 Hydraulics and Drainage\|748.10]]

EPG-Admin: New article from bridge manual.

2008-05-05T13:33:59Z

New article from bridge manual.

New page

[[image:748.10 Iron County Court House.jpg|right]]
==748.10.1 Overview==
An understanding of drainage law is essential to the responsible design of highway drainage facilities. In general, the following statements can be made about the legal aspects of hydraulic design:

*Natural drainage should be perpetuated as far as possible.
*Infliction of damage that could reasonably have been avoided is looked upon with disfavor by courts.
*Drainage law standards are becoming more flexible and depending more on the circumstances of each particular case. The designer is advised to consult with the Chief Counsel's Office on any matters involving potential legal liability or litigation.

==748.10.2 Federal Laws==
The State is required to comply with all Federal Laws. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) includes all regulations in force at time of publication. The following federal laws significantly affect highway drainage design:

*National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 USC 4321-4347) (23 CFR 771)
*National Flood Insurance Program (44 CFR 59-77)
*Navigable Waters (Section 404 Permits, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, etc.) (33 USC 1344)
*Fish and Wildlife regulations (endangered species, etc.)

==748.10.3 State Laws==
===748.10.3.1 Reasonable Use Rule===
State law regarding surface waters and flood waters generally follows the Reasonable Use Rule, stated as follows:

*Possessor is privileged to make reasonable use of his land even though alteration of flow of surface waters causes harm to others. Liability is incurred only when interference with flow of surface waters is deemed unreasonable.

*The definition of reasonable is unclear, and will vary on a case by case basis. However, the test for reasonableness should consider such items as the amount of harm caused, the foreseeability of harm and the purpose or motive of altering surface flows.

===748.10.3.2 Stream Water Rules===
In addition to the reasonable use rule, interference with the flow of a natural watercourse causing damage to another party or diversion of flow from one watercourse to another will generally result in liability.

===748.10.3.3 Eminent Domain/Inverse Condemnation===
A structure that impacts either surface waters or stream waters is likely to result in liability to the adversely affected landowner. If the right to do so is not acquired by deed or condemnation, the landowner may institute an inverse condemnation suit, which, if successful, will result in award of damages and attorney's fees.

==748.10.4 Local Laws==
Generally, the State is not required to comply with local ordinances, except where compliance is required by State statute. The State may choose to comply as a matter of courtesy if no burden is imposed on the State.

==748.10.5 Common Drainage Complaints==
See [[748.1 Evaluation of Project Impacts#748.1.4 Common Drainage Complaints|Evaluation of Project Impacts - Common Drainage Complaints]].

==748.10.6 Significant Court Decisions==
Hines Implement - Court decision imposes liability for upstream water damage caused by diverting surface water if use is deemed unreasonable. Reasonableness is determined on a case by case basis. This case represents the first use of the Reasonable Use Rule in a decision involving MoDOT.

The department can be held liable for downstream impacts. This has not been affected by the Hines Implement case.

==748.10.7 Negligence and Liability==
No hydraulic design is without risk, and some degree of risk must be accepted in the final design. However, damages that were not anticipated in the design may be viewed as due to negligence. It is appropriate to have foreseen the possibility of damage, weighed it against other factors, and accepted that risk as a proper exercise of discretionary judgment. Use of sound engineering judgment, accepted design procedures and sufficient documentation is essential, and provides a defense against liability due to negligence.

In theory, an engineer may be held personally liable for negligent design; however such suits have never been filed to date against a MoDOT engineer. If a suit is filed and the engineer cooperates with the CCO, the engineer will be provided a complete defense and MHTC will pay any damages awarded.

[[Category:748 Hydraulics and Drainage|748.10]]