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What is the purpose of the canal right-of-way?

The canal rights-of-way are public property. The primary purpose of canal banks and channels is for providing flood control. LWDD requires clear unencumbered access for regular maintenance and emergencies. Response time is critical when trying to prevent flooding. It may appear that the District right-of-way is wider than it needs to be. This may be true if all the District did in this area was to mow the ground vegetation from the canal berms and the channel side slopes.  However, from time to time the District also needs access for much larger equipment for canal dredging and erosion repairs, and, more importantly, access to the channel for clean-up of debris during and after storm events.