Water quality should be fiercely protected

Dear Editor:

Your readers should be interested in legislation co-authored by our state senator that would repeal the law requiring a permit from the Department of Environmental Management for wetland activity in a state regulated wetland. I have sent him the following comments. I urge your readers to contact their representatives, too.

“Senator Doriot,

Please explain why you co-authored SB 389! How can you justify removing protections from Indiana wetlands. The Indiana Clean Lakes Program (2019-2020) problem statement includes this paragraph:

‘Indiana has many lakes and reservoirs, most have a variety of problems. Eutrophication, watershed runoff, boating impacts, shoreline erosion, septic system discharge and bacterial contamination are but some of the problems associated with nonpoint source pollution in these waterbodies. In the most recent lake water quality assessment report for Indiana covering the period 2012-2014, over 68% of lakes were classified as eutrophic or hypereutrophic using the Carlson Trophic State Index (TSI). During this 2009-2011 time period, 55% of lakes were classified as eutrophic or hypereutrophic.’

“I live on Lake Wawasee, which is 100% within your district. This lake, and others in your district, incur irreversible damage from runoff from agricultural practices. The regulations on wetlands should be increased not diminished.

“According to a 2016 study by the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, the lakes in Kosciusko County account for about 1/3 of the county economy — roughly the same as from agriculture.

“The quality of our water should be fiercely protected. Please reconsider having a study committee review the impact. Please do not vote to enact this legislation.”

Thanks and best regards,

Bill Morton