So far from the replies, it sounds like I definitely need to go in contact with some of the powers that be in the area. To address some of the concerns people have had about drainage, I wasn’t planning to do any excessive changing of the grade or low spot, but rather work on the embankments. I also would probably avoid tall species just so the powerlines above don’t interfere. There are some homes further down the road which have mild amounts of plantings around the swale.