§ 156-25. Protection of canals, ditches, and natural drains. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 156‑25. Protection of canals, ditches, and natural drains.

If any person shall fell any tree in any ditch, canal, or naturaldrainway of any farm, unless he shall remove the same and put such ditch,canal, or natural drainway in as good condition as it was before such tree wasso felled; or if any person shall stop up or fill in such ditch, canal, ordrainway and thereby obstruct the free passage of water along the said ditch,canal, or drainway, unless the said person shall first secure the written consentof the landowner, and those damaged by such obstruction in said ditch, canal,or drainway, or unless such person so filling in and stopping up such ditch,canal, or drainway shall, upon the demand of the person so damaged, clean outand put the said ditch, canal, or drainway in as good condition as the same wasbefore such filling in and stopping up of the said ditch, canal, or drainwayhappened, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1901, c. 478; Rev., s. 3382; C.S., s. 5283; 1993, c.539, s. 1072; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)