West Virginia Code Chapter 19. Agriculture § 19-21-38. Connection of ditches or drains; consent of supervisors thereto; circuit court to decide disputes

At the time of the construction in any district incorporated under this article of “the plan for reclamation” hereinbefore referred to, all ditches or systems of drainage already constructed in such district and all watercourses shall, if necessary to the drainage of any of the lands in such district, be connected with and made a part of the works and improvements of the plan of drainage of such district. But no ditches, drains or systems of drainage constructed in such district shall be connected therewith, unless the consent of the board of supervisors shall be first had and obtained, which consent shall be in writing and shall particularly describe the method, terms and conditions of such connection, and shall be approved by the chief engineer. Such connections, if made, shall be in strict accord with the method, terms and conditions laid down in such agreement. If the landowner or owners wishing to make such connection are refused by the board of supervisors or decline to accept the consent granted, such landowner or owners may file a petition for such connection in the circuit court having jurisdiction in such district, and the matter in dispute shall in a summary manner be decided by such court, which decision shall be final and binding on the district and landowner or owners. No connection with the works or improvements of such plan of drainage of such district or with any ditch, drain or artificial drainage wholly within such district shall be made, caused or affected by any landowner or owners, company or corporation, municipal or private, by means of any ditch, drain, cut, fill, roadbed, levee, embankment or artificial drainage, wholly without the limits of said district, unless such connection is consented to by the board of supervisors, or in the manner hereinbefore provided.