Democrats, activists call on governor to veto wetlands bill
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April 20, 2021
Calls are mounting for Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill that would remove some protections from Indiana’s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that it could damage waterways, wildlife and vegetation.
The wetlands measure passed out of the Legislature on April 14 and has sparked bipartisan opposition within the Republican-dominated Legislature. If enacted, it would eliminate a 2003 law that requires the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to issue permits for construction and development in state-regulated wetlands and end enforcement proceedings against landowners accused of violating current law.
Holcomb pushed to veto bill cutting wetland protections
Associated Press/Report for America
INDIANAPOLIS – Calls are mounting for Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill that would remove some protections from Indiana s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that it could damage waterways, wildlife and vegetation.
The wetlands measure passed out of the Legislature April 14 and has sparked bipartisan opposition. If enacted, it would eliminate a 2003 law that requires the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to issue permits for construction and development in state-regulated wetlands and end enforcement proceedings against landowners accused of violating current law.
All Democratic members of the General Assembly, as well as a member of the Senate Republican Caucus, urged the Republican governor to veto the bill.
AVILLA â The town of Avillaâs wastewater treatment plant needs an upgrade. A consultantâs report set the estimated price tag at $2.3 million.
For that kind of money, the Avilla Town Council said Wednesday it wanted to hear from the author of the report, which could happen as soon as the councilâs next meeting set for May 19.
According to Utilities Superintendent Brian Carroll, the sewage plant went online in February 2002.
âIt hasnât been touched in 20 years,â Carroll told the council.
Several upgrades need to be made to keep the town in compliance with discharge requirements set by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Among the issues is the amount of phosphorous being removed.
Fall and winter drought could cause challenges in crops msu.edu - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msu.edu Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Enrique Saenz April 20, 2021
A bill that would allow Indiana to oversee federal coal ash requirements in the state through a permitting program is now headed to the governor’s desk for final approval.
If signed into law, Senate Bill 271 would begin the process of establishing a state coal ash permitting program, officially known as coal combustion residuals, under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act passed in 2016.
The bill would allow the state to oversee the closure of many of the state’s coal ash ponds instead of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a change supported by coal-ash producing industries in the state.