Hoosier Environmental Council Defends Indiana Wetlands
Friends, we share your alarm about the Governor signing the anti-wetlands bill SEA 389 into law, despite his own environmental agencies opposing the bill and an unprecedented coalition of 100+ organizations calling on him to veto it.
The Hoosier Environmental Council will stay resilient in defending our wetlands. Here are five ways that we’re working to protect wetlands, and specific ways that you can help…
1.) Watchdogging the Upcoming Wetlands Task Force
As soon as the Governor appoints members, a new Wetlands Task Force will convene, aimed at taking a comprehensive look at our wetlands – their value, their diversity, and the state public policies that govern them. HEC will be actively engaged in weighing in on that Task Force’s proceedings and recommendations.
How you can help:
Please be on the lookout for calls-to-action on Facebook, Twitter, and via future e-newsletters
2.) Protecting Wetlands in the White River Watershed
HEC is tracking wetland and floodway development proposals in the Upper White River watershed, submitting technical comments on draft IDEM and DNR permits, and encouraging partners and members to weigh in to protect our natural ecosystems.
How you can help:
Do you have expertise in water science, hydrogeology, biology, or water policy? We are always seeking pro bono experts to help with our work.
3.) Restoring Wetlands in the Kankakee River Watershed
HEC is pursuing a federal Clean Water Act citizen suit against a massive factory farm with the aim of restoring wetlands in the Kankakee River Basin — to offset the loss of wetlands destroyed by the irresponsible siting of this factory farm.
How you can help:
Legal cases cost HEC tens of thousands of dollars in attorney, expert, and court reporter fees. Please support our legal efforts on behalf of all citizens.
4.) Preserving Wetlands in East Central Indiana
HEC has been the long-time leader of the Mounds Greenway, a proposed linear park along the White River that would permanently protect wetlands (and woodlands) in Delaware and Madison Counties. Our Mounds Greenway work is emblematic about our long-standing, broader efforts to secure greater levels of government & private funding to forever protect open spaces.
How you can help:
Email our Senior Special Projects Coordinator if you’d like to help with planning educational programming to build public support for the Mounds Greenway and broader open space protection efforts.
5.) Holding Lawmakers Accountable for their SEA 389 vote
Your state representative and state senator need to hear from you. If they voted “No” on SEA 389, please convey your gratitude. If they vote “Yes,” please let them know your alarm for supporting a bill that removes protections for ~70% of Indiana’s wetlands.
How you can help:
Visit our Bill Watch page to learn how your lawmakers voted on both SEA 389 and on the anti-local climate action bill HEA 1191. Please email your lawmakers, set up a Zoom meeting to speak with them, and/or convey your concerns in upcoming meet-your-legislator events.