Indiana
Indiana wetlands bill garners praise, criticism as it heads to governor’s desk
Supporters of wetland legislation approved 6 Feb. by the Indiana legislature say the regulations are fair to residents, property owners, agriculture and developers while those against it say the state has already weakened wetland protections and this will only serve to damage sensitive ecosystems, increase flooding and decrease water quality.
Now it will be up to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb whether he will sign the controversial bill into law.
The legislation was introduced by GOP state Sen. Rick Neimeyer, who said it pertains to state wetlands only, not federal. It takes some of the classifications and changes those that do not meet the definition of isolated wetlands.
He said IDEM and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will be responsible for reviewing and deciding whether a specific wetland can be declassified. The process will be transparent and the agencies will have to explain their decisions.
Niemeyer said the legislation is necessary because classifying some of these “wet holes” that do not meet the definition of isolated wetlands is unfair to property owners.
Living in south Lake County he has always had a concern about flooding but does not believe the legislation will have that big of an effect on flooding. Still, he said, like others he will be watching what happens if the measure becomes law.
Niemeyer said with his experience on the Lake County Plan Commission and drainage board, he worked with the bill and thinks it is where it needs to be to be fair to all parties.
“I understand the issues on both sides,” Niemeyer said.
State Sen. Dan Dernulc was among a group of eight Republicans to break rank and vote against the measure when it came before the Senate.
“I personally do not like the changes to the classes,” Dernulc said.
He describes himself as “a bit of an environmentalist” and would prefer to keep things the way they are. Dernulc said his is still for development.
“We have to do it with the way the good Lord made it,” Dernulc said.
Organizations like Audubon Great Lakes are urging Holcomb to veto the legislation.
“Two years ago, lawmakers rolled back protections for more than half of Indiana’s wetlands. Yesterday, the Indiana Legislature passed a bill that could leave more vital wetlands out to dry.
Despite its fast track through the legislature, HB 1383 has faced growing opposition from Hoosiers and conservation groups. Yesterday’s Senate vote demonstrated a lack of consensus among lawmakers. Governor Holcomb can protect Indiana’s natural resources by vetoing this problematic bill,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, organizations like the Indiana Builders Association have come out in support.
“We support clearly defined isolated wetlands classifications to provide regulatory relief for property owners and developers while ensuring protection of high-quality isolated wetlands,” according to the IBA website.
“In 2021, the Indiana General Assembly enacted legislation that protects high-quality isolated wetlands while reducing the regulatory costs and permitting requirements on low-quality Class I isolated wetlands in Indiana,” it continued.
“In the years since the law was passed, property owners and environmental consultants who conduct wetland delineations have found that the State Regulated Wetland Class Determination Worksheet utilized by the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management (IDEM) presented some implementation challenges as it related to the intent of SEA 389 and the classification of isolated wetlands in the state,” the statement read.
Lake County Surveyor Bill Emerson Jr. said losing any wetlands will increase flooding and decrease water quality.
“I view wetlands as a public resource just like our other waterways that need to be protected. I’m hoping our governor feels the same way,” Emerson said. Emerson was among those opposed to the legislation who spoke out against it in 2023.
“Changing those classifications means that more ecologically important wetlands will be categorized in a way they will not be protected,” Emerson said.
He said the state already has reduced protections for wetlands quite a bit.
“Once they are gone, they’re gone. They are expensive to recreate,” Emerson said.
Niemeyer said the legislation also contemplates recreating some wetlands lost to development through a credit system. Developers will pay credits to fill a wetland that can be used to create other wetlands or increase an existing wetland.
“It’s a two-way street. Everybody needs to be working together,” Niemeyer said.
2024 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Indiana wetlands bill garners praise, criticism as it heads to governor’s desk (2024, February 9)
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Indiana
Young male dead after shooting on Indy’s northeast side
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Police say one “young man” is dead after a shooting at the 1200 block of Rue Rabelais at about 7:19 p.m. according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
That is near the intersection of 56th Street and Binford Boulevard.
Police say the victim was taken to Riley Hospital where he later died. Investigators say they are still working to identify the victim.
There was no known information about a suspect. Police did say that they believe this is a targeted incident.
There was no other information immediately available.
This story has been updated with information from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Indiana
Mother and boyfriend accused in death of 4-year-old boy found in closet
This story contains descriptions of distressing circumstances involving children.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A mother and her boyfriend were accused of causing the death of a 4-year-old-boy found dead in a basement closet on Monday.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrested Angel Lovely, 37, and Nicholas Bergdoll, 36, on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent causing death. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office by Friday had not filed formal charges.
A sibling found the 4-year-old dead on Monday, according to investigators. Lovely and Bergdoll were in the home at the time but told police they were asleep when he died.
Born premature with cerebral palsy, the 4-year old couldn’t walk, was nonverbal, and ate through a feeding tube. Lovely claimed she would rarely put the child in the closet, only “when he won’t stop screaming” or when she “needed a break.”
But when investigators interviewed Lovely’s three other children, they said that the boy “stays in the closet all day,” and that “mom locks him in the closet” and “does not pay attention to him.”
An exact cause of death hasn’t been determined, but the child was found with blood in his mouth. Lovely said he’d been aspirating.
One of Lovely’s children told investigators they heard the 4-year-old gagging but didn’t say anything because it wasn’t unusual.
A neighbor living on Monticello Drive, Michelle Johnson, told News 8, “It’s horrible. It breaks my heart.”
Johnson had seen the other children outside the home but never knew there was a boy in a wheelchair living there. She said if she suspected they were being neglected, she would have called police or the Indiana Department of Child Services.
“We’re supposed to be a village and raise kids together,” Johnson said. “That’s really heartbreaking.”
Bergdoll told police, according to the investigators’ report, that he didn’t agree with putting the child in the closet: “I am not going to tell her how to f****** raise her kids.”
“I’m sickened,” IMPD Public Information Officer Tommy Thompson told News 8 in an interview.
“Think about putting yourself in that situation. Every day, do you want to be in a closet? Locked up, no light?”
Court records show the Department of Child Services had removed the boy from Lovely’s care because of medical neglect, but she regained custody last year against DCS recommendations.
Thompson, the neighbor, hopes the tragedy can be an opportunity for others to speak up when they see a child who can’t speak up for themselves. “Maybe you’ve got to make that tough phone call. Reach out. The city has resources.”
Johnson wishes she would have known what was happening so she could have said something. “Children don’t have a voice and we’re supposed to be their voice.”
Help is available for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Below is a list of suggested resources, both national and local:
Indiana
Police arrest suspect in Westfield homicide
WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Police have arrested someone in connection to a homicide earlier this month in the Hamilton County city.
In a Friday night social media post, the Westfield Police Department announced the arrest but gave no details, including who was arrested or what preliminary charges the person may face.
“Due to the active nature of this case, limited details are available for release at this time,” the post said.
As WISHTV.com previously reported, James “Matt” Lushin, 47, was found dead shortly after 7:25 p.m. March 12 with trauma at his home in the 3900 block of Westfield Road, also known as State Road 32.
Social media posts from the scene showed police tape and emergency vehicles at a red brick house between Shady Nook Road and Gray Road.
Lushin’s obituary said the Kokomo native was a key partner with the real estate investment company, FLF Property. The obituary also said, “Matt was also a respected and accomplished member of the international poker community. He traveled the world competing in tournaments and built an impressive and successful career.”
Police have previously said the death was believed to be isolated, posing no ongoing threat.
Officials have not released a specific cause or manner of death.
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