Indiana lawmaker targets ‘destructive’ minnow fishing
An Indiana bill up for debate intends to crack down on what some Hoosiers called “destructive” fishing practices that wreak havoc on minnow populations in the state’s rivers and streams.
Department of Natural Resources
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Bill would require de novo judicial review of environmental agency decisions
A bill proposed in the 2022 Indiana legislative session would have required trial courts to try disputed issues of fact de novo in a judicial review of certain agency actions. Republican Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers, said he authored House Bill 1063 in an attempt to even the playing field between decision-making agencies and Hoosiers, and in response to an Indiana Supreme Court decision.
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Draining protection: Deregulation bill sends conservationists scrambling to save Indiana wetlands
A controversial bill that would do away with state regulation of Indiana’s wetlands is on the fast track to becoming law, throwing environmental agencies and conservation advocates into a frenzy. Farmers and land developers support the legislation, arguing wetland regulations are burdensome.
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Articles
State not responsible for compensating couple that built illegal dam on property, COA affirms
A Grant County couple cannot “rely on the state to bail them out” and are not entitled to compensation for damages related to the construction of a massive dam on their property, the Court of Appeals of Indiana affirmed Wednesday.
IN justices to hear arguments in 3 cases Thursday, including 2 with Duke Energy
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases that involve Duke Energy on Thursday, plus another involving the state’s Department of Natural Resources that hasn’t been granted transfer.
Hiker who died in fall from Wisconsin bluff is identified as a 42-year-old Indiana man
A man who died Tuesday after he fell from a bluff while hiking in a Wisconsin state park has been identified as a 42-year-old from Indiana.
Indiana search teams recover body of missing man from Lake Michigan
Search teams have recovered the body of an 18-year-old man who went missing Saturday in Lake Michigan off Indiana shore.
Justices invite amicus briefing in state employee indemnification rights case
The question of whether an Indiana Department of Natural Resources officer committed “criminal” conduct when he committed the act of false informing is pending a decision on transfer to the Indiana Supreme Court, which has invited amicus curiae briefing.
Reversal: DNR officer’s false informing was ‘criminal’ act under indemnification statute
A Department of Natural Resources officer did, in fact, commit “criminal” conduct when he committed the act of false informing against a motorist who struck and killed his dog, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled in a Wednesday reversal.
COA finds statute grants DNR immunity from claims over flooded fields
A family of farmers in Marshall County who claimed their fields flooded because of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ negligent operation of a nearby dam had their trial court victory washed away when the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled that a state statute grants the agency immunity from negligence claims.
New law will remove DNR oversight of dams near city of Peru
Homeowners in a lake-filled housing development in northern Indiana will no longer be on the hook for major repairs to six aging dams under a new state law.
Restorative justice resolves alleged assault at Indiana lake
A judge says restorative justice was successfully used for one of the first times in Indiana to remediate a confrontation in which a Black man said a group of white men assaulted him and threatened to “get a noose” while at a southern Indiana lake more than a year ago.
Girls discover hideaway of a convicted felon at Indiana cave
A group of girls discovered the hideaway of a convicted felon at an Indiana cave, authorities said.
NW Indiana man charged in taxidermy thefts from DNR office
A northwest Indiana man allegedly broke into a state office at a fish and wildlife area twice in 2018 and stole taxidermy animals, ammunition and other items, authorities said.
Holcomb asked to veto wetlands bill by environmental activists, Hoosiers
More than 100 activists and residents from across the state are pleading with Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill that would remove a large chunk of protections from Indiana’s wetlands, which were the target of a bill that opponents say could damage water supply, wildlife and vegetation.
Michelle Allen named Director of Office of Administrative Law Proceedings
Michelle Allen, deputy director and general counsel of the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings, has been selected as the office’s new director, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday.
ALJ attorney fees bill heading into opposition at Senate hearing
After sailing through the House without a single vote in opposition, a bill that would enable individuals to recoup attorney fees from state agencies could hit a stiff wind Wednesday as public interest organizations are aligning to try to block the legislation from moving any further through the Statehouse.
DNR studying coyote killing laws
A prominent animal welfare group is calling for more regulation – and even a ban – on wildlife killing contests in the state of Indiana.
Public warned to avoid Hammond lake where waterfowl died
State environmental officials are warning the public to avoid a northwestern Indiana lake while authorities investigate the deaths of dozens of ducks and other waterfowl in the area.
Finding consensus, struggling with conflict at legislative halfway mark
As Indiana lawmakers prepare for the second half of the session, several key issues are awaiting further review.
2 men charged in assault on Black man at Lake Monroe
Two men were charged Friday in an assault on a Black man during which he says someone threatened to “get a noose” after claiming that he and his friends were trespassing when they gathered at a southern Indiana lake over the July Fourth weekend.
Investigators list potential crimes in Monroe Co. assault case
State investigators identified six potential crimes Thursday in an incident report concerning the reported assault on a Black man at a southern Indiana lake.