Advocates say wetlands bill is flying through legislature to 'quiet public outcry'

Sarah Bowman, Indianapolis Star

A bill stripping more protections for Indiana's few remaining wetlands is being shoved through the Statehouse to quash public outcry, according to environmental advocates and some lawmakers who stand in opposition.

House Bill 1383 has moved at a blazing pace: It advanced after its second reading Monday in the Senate and third reading could come as early as today. If approved by the Senate, the bill would be the first to clear both houses and sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb this legislative session.

But the Hoosier Environmental Council and other environmental groups are continuing a fight to slow — if not outright stop — the momentum.

"This clearly seems to be an attempt to quiet opposition, limit discussion, and push through a bill that carries many flaws," HEC executive director Sam Carpenter told IndyStar. Lawmakers are trying to limit "bad publicity" and "public outcry," he added

Rep. Alan Morrison listens to speakers during a legislative hearing. Morrison, R-Brazil, is the author of House Bill 1383, a bill that would further strip protections for Indiana's few remaining wetlands. This bill has seen significant opposition but lawmakers are pushing this bill through, according to environmental advocates.
Rep. Alan Morrison listens to speakers during a legislative hearing. Morrison, R-Brazil, is the author of House Bill 1383, a bill that would further strip protections for Indiana's few remaining wetlands. This bill has seen significant opposition but lawmakers are pushing this bill through, according to environmental advocates.

The bill's author, Rep. Alan Morrison, R-Brazil, has not responded to repeated IndyStar requests for comment on the bill. Senate president Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, did not directly answer IndyStar's questions on why leadership is moving the bill so quickly.

He said in an emailed statement that there is a need to clarify Indiana's wetlands law after after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling left more wetlands regulations up to states.

"I'm pleased to have a bill before us that represents consensus reforms to Indiana's isolated wetlands laws that strike a balance between protecting our environment and property owners," Bray said in the statement.

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While such speed is not unheard or prohibited, advocates said it is unusual for a bill to land on Holcomb's desk before the official switchover of bills between the House and Senate has occurred. That deadline comes by the end of this week.

Hoosiers have sent more than 1,000 emails to Indiana lawmakers in recent days calling for more, not fewer, protections for wetlands — the result of HEC-led efforts. The group also is submitting to Holcomb's office a letter and petition, currently with upwards of 1,300 signatures, asking the governor to essentially kill the bill.

Construction is under way at the new LEAP Innovation and Research District Lebanon, Ind. This project has drawn significant scrutiny over plans to pump tens of millions of gallons from the Lafayette area dozens of miles for the development project.
Construction is under way at the new LEAP Innovation and Research District Lebanon, Ind. This project has drawn significant scrutiny over plans to pump tens of millions of gallons from the Lafayette area dozens of miles for the development project.

Holcomb did not respond to IndyStar's request for comment. He did oppose a 2021 bill that marked the first gutting of Indiana's wetlands law, previously considered one of the more protective programs in the U.S. Still, lawmakers passed that bill and Holcomb signed it into law.

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Indiana had already lost more than 85% of its wetlands in the last century, most drained for agriculture and development. And in the two years after the 2021 law, Senate Enrolled Act 389, more than 250 acres were completely lost due to the state no longer requiring mitigation.

Wetlands act like a sponge to absorb heavy rainfall and help recharge the state's groundwater resources. House Bill 1383 would further strip protections for Indiana's few remaining wetlands. This bill is being pushed through the Statehouse despite significant public outcry and opposition.
Wetlands act like a sponge to absorb heavy rainfall and help recharge the state's groundwater resources. House Bill 1383 would further strip protections for Indiana's few remaining wetlands. This bill is being pushed through the Statehouse despite significant public outcry and opposition.

For the last several years, the building industry has been leading the charge to strip wetlands safeguards, arguing they are frustrated with the regulations and need less red tape to meet Indiana’s housing needs.

The Hoosier Environmental Council plans to submit its petition to Holcomb on Tuesday morning, ahead of what is expected to be the Senate's third reading of HB 1383.

Call IndyStar reporter Sarah Bowman at 317-444-6129 or email at sarah.bowman@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @IndyStarSarah. Connect with IndyStar’s environmental reporters: Join The Scrub on Facebook.

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Critics: Wetlands bill 'shoved' through Statehouse

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