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Tom J Bechman
WETLANDS ISSUE: This is a restored wetland built voluntarily on property in southern Indiana. A bill was introduced in the Indiana Legislature that would repeal the state’s ability to regulate isolated wetlands. Hoosier farmers should be able to manage their operations without undue outside regulation.
Mar 01, 2021
Three Indiana state senators are proposing bold legislation in the 2021 session. Sens. Chris Garten of Charlestown, Mark Messmer of Jasper and Linda Rogers of Granger wrote Senate Bill 389, which would repeal the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s authority to regulate isolated wetlands.
Wetlands that are regulated under Indiana’s current state law are called isolated wetlands. They are not directly connected at the surface level to lakes, rivers or streams. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t important or don’t contribute environmental benefits.
All we stand to lose:
Beverly Gard
Imagine an Indiana without the wetlands that play host to a vast variety of migrating waterfowl. Imagine an Indiana without the estimated 300 nesting pairs of our national symbol, the bald eagle. Imagine an Indiana without winding nature trails and nature parks built around isolated wetlands and the diverse ecosystems they support, providing unique educational and recreational benefits for Hoosiers.
Regrettably, this may likely be the Indiana we live in if Senate Bill 389 becomes law.
Today, wetlands cover less than 4% of Indiana. In addition to providing habitat to numerous threatened and endangered wildlife species, wetlands naturally store nutrients and filter sediments, enabling our lakes and waterways to be cleaner and our drinking water to be safer.
INDIANAPOLIS — To help Indiana schools and teachers celebrate Earth Day 2021, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is offering free virtual classroom presentations to students across the state.