Please consider signing to help protect wetlands in Indiana.
This is follow up to Senate Bill Sea389,
Environmental groups, Democrats blindsided by amendment further gutting wetland protection
“This amendment would bring our wetlands regulations back to how SEA389 was originally introduced (in 2021), not how it passed,” said Greg Ellis, director of environmental and energy policy for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Brian Vigue, Freshwater Policy director for Audubon Great Lakes, called it “a huge step backwards for Hoosiers, birds and other wildlife that depend on this vital natural resource.”Indianapolis Star
Before SEA 389, there were about 800,000 acres of wetlands across Indiana, according to the state. That’s just 4% of Indiana’s land. When the class 1 protections were removed in 2021, more than 400,000 acres were left unprotected, Ellis said. Now, the amendment makes it more difficult to classify a wetland as class 2 or 3 — thus making it harder to protect the high-quality resources.” Indianapolis Star
“Under current law, a wetland only has to meet one of a few factors to be classified as protected. It must support minimal wildlife, serve as an aquatic habitat, have hydrologic function, or be a rare wetland type. But with the new amendment, a wetland would have to meet all criteria to merit protection.” Indianapolis Star
“This amendment was authored by a builder: Rep. Doug Miller. The Elkhart Republican who owns a construction and home building company and also serves on the board of directors for the Indiana Builders Association.”
Indianapolis Star
Senate Bill 414
* Authored by Sen. Gary Byrne, Sen. Jack Sandlin, Sen. David Niezgodski.
* Co-Authored by Sen. Blake Doriot, Sen. James Tomes.
* Sponsored by Rep. Karen Engleman, Rep. Doug Miller, Rep. Joanna King.
Read more:
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/senate/414#digest-heading