STATEHOUSE (Feb. 22, 2023) – The Indiana House of Representatives on Monday advanced legislation co-authored by State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) that would help counties partner up to tackle local flooding, drainage and water-quality issues.
Ledbetter said the bill would promote partnerships like the highly successful Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission between counties in Northwest Indiana 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. She said this is especially important in southwest Indiana because of recurring flooding and logjam issues from Pigeon Creek.
"Our creeks and rivers are extremely important because they provide water for drinking, recreation, industry and agriculture," Ledbetter said. "If this bill passes into law, I hope that counties in southwest Indiana are able to take advantage of this opportunity to partner up and tackle many of the longstanding flooding issues in our area."
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.
-30-
State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) represents House District 75,
which includes portions of Gibson, Pike and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
