In the last century, 85% of Indiana's wetlands have been eliminated due to increasing commercial and infrastructural development. Our state once boasted expansive wetlands that provided a crucial habitat for countless species, but now, we have very few protected wetlands left to sustain our rich biodiversity.

These remaining wetlands are not just remnants of our historical landscape; they are vital ecosystems that house a wide array of wildlife, including several threatened species. Additionally, they play an essential role in providing natural flood control, improving water quality, and nurturing the fertile soil that supports our agriculture. Losing more of these lands would be of great detriment,  not only for the environment but also for local communities that rely on these natural ecological services.

Now, C G Roxane LLC /Crystal Geyser aims to build and operate a 200,000 SF water bottling facility on shared land that includes these protected wetlands in the heart of Warsaw and Kosciusko County. Such a facility threatens to further decimate our crucial wetlands through water extraction, potential chemical runoff, and land disruption. The environmental impacts of water bottling plants are well documented, including excessive water use, pollution from plastic waste, and habitat destruction, not to mention the increased carbon footprint from transportation.  This company has a history of law suits, including pleading guilty and having to pay a $5,000,000 criminal fine for illegal storage and transport of arsenic-laced waste in a man-made runoff pond.  

In 2024, a similar request was made in Noble County near Pisgah Marsh, which thankfully never came to fruition because of strong opposition in the community.  We hope that our community will follow suit in protecting our land and our neighbors.

This is why we urge our City of Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals to stand firm and protect Warsaw Indiana’s valuable wetlands from commercial exploitation by Crystal Geyser. We propose seeking alternative locations that do not encroach upon these delicate ecosystems and encouraging businesses to pursue sustainable practices that do not jeopardize our natural wetlands.

By signing this petition, we are not merely opposing a single profit-driven decision but advocating to prioritize the ecological health of our town, now and for future generations. Support our cause by signing this petition to safeguard our wetlands and the diverse wildlife they sustain.