STATEHOUSE (Feb. 15, 2023) – The Indiana House of Representatives today advanced legislation authored by State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) that would help counties partner up to tackle local flooding, drainage and water-quality issues.
Aylesworth said due to the success of the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission, his bill would promote similar partnerships between counties that share a watershed. House Bill 1639, which now moves to the Indiana Senate for consideration, would allow Indiana counties to address water issues by forming a local watershed commission, if approved by the Natural Resources Commission.
"The Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission has done tremendous work over the years to improve and revitalize the river system, and the state could benefit from seeing more counties partner to address flooding and drainage issues," Aylesworth said. "No two river basins are identical, and that's why locals are in the best position to identify problems and solutions for moving forward."
The Indiana General Assembly passed legislation to form the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission in 2019. The commission directly serves the water resource planning and development of Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Newton, Porter, St. Joseph and Starke counties. The powers of this commission include bank stabilization, tree removal, construction and operation of sand traps, channel reconstruction, sediment removal, acquisition, construction and maintenance of access roads to levees and the channel of each river, and other flood control actions.
Under the bill, newly formed commissions would develop a flood damage reduction and drainage plan, and work together to address the issues. Groups could also create a water-quality improvement plan with approval by the Natural Resources Commission. The new commissions could also enter into agreements with cities or towns to boost efforts and funding support. A commission would be governed by a board made up of one member from each participating county and a representative from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
For more information on HB 1639 and to follow legislative proceedings, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
