IDEM Water Rule Process Ongoing

A story from the northwest corner of the state that involves our Lake Michigan smallmouth fishery: NWI Times report

Manchester College leads initiative to clean up Eel River

The Indiana Smallmouth Alliance (INSA) signed on back in September 2007 as a partner for a grant initiative to help enhance water quality, recreation and conservation on a middle portion of the Eel River in Northern Indiana. We have pledged $1,000 in cash as well as in-kind contributions to the project. For a news release detailing this project see the following links:   

Eel River Initiative

Grant Approved (details)

Article on IDEM Removal of Streams from 303(d) List

Here is a link to an interesting article in the Courier-Journal out of Louisville, KY concerning the possible removal of over 800 stream segments from Indiana's 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies. The public comment period has already closed on this issue, but it will be interesting to follow. 

Activists fear new methodology could harm river cleanup

Hamilton County Flooding

There is an interesting article in today's IndyStar about various local administrators opinions and explanations on the White River flooding. Read for yourself and decide, but we tend to side with Noblesville Planning Director Steve Huntley's position. Here is the article link:

Noblesville flooding trends will continue

Afterward, be sure and read our article Historical Overview of White River Flows.

Governor Signs Great Lakes Compact

INDIANAPOLIS (February 20, 2008) – Governor Mitch Daniels today signed the Great Lakes compact, SEA 45, making Indiana the first state to implement the added protections the interstate agreement provides.

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact was developed over five years with representatives of business, industry, agriculture, environmental and other interests, as well as state officials. Governors of eight states – New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana – reached agreement on the compact late in 2005. The eight states also reached a similar agreement with Ontario and Quebec in 2005.

“Today, we celebrate an achievement that groups who don’t always see eye-to-eye came together to support. With this action, we’re renewing our commitment to put in place new protections for one of our greatest resources,” said Daniels.

Daniels said Senator Bev Gard, R-Greenfield, and Representative Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, provided leadership that led to overwhelming support from legislators in both houses.

The compact ensures that authority over Great Lakes water uses stays in the region; that economic development will be fostered through sustainable use and responsible management of the waters; that states will development regional goals and objectives for water conservation and efficiency and collect and share technical data to improve decision-making; and continues a strong commitment to public involvement in implementation of the compact.

The state legislatures in each state must approve the compact and enact implementation language, and the Congress also must give its consent. Indiana is the first state to ratify and sign the compact with implementation language. Minnesota and Illinois signed the compact into law in 2007 but still need implementation language, the New York legislature recently approved the compact and it is awaiting signature, and bills are pending in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Introduction of the legislation is expected in Wisconsin soon.

Another Stream Gage Saved (for now)

If you've visited the USGS Indiana page for Real-Time streamflow data and clicked on the Big Walnut Cr. Roachdale gage you would have seen the following warning; "The USGS streamflow gaging station at Big Walnut Creek near Roachdale (03357330) will be discontinued on November 30, 2007 because of a lack of funding to operate and maintain the stations."

But I just received this update earlier in the week: "Good news for the stream gage at Big Walnut Creek at Roachdale! The USGS received an increase in some national stream gaging funds and Scott Morlock, our Hydrologic Network Chief, decided to use some of the funds for the Roachdale gage. This is good for the next two years. I am still looking for funds to make this a  long term research area but we have some breathing room for a couple of years."

IDEM Office of Water Quality Homepage

If you are looking for most anything water quality related, including permitting, assessment, watershed planning, TMDL's, 303(d) impaired waterbodies or CSO & Stormwater information, be sure and visit the IDEM website at the following link:

Office of Water Quality 

New Purdue CAFO Website Opened

Purdue University has started a website filled with a variety of information and research on all matters concerning CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). You can link to the website here:

Pudue Extension CAFO Website