Noon Edition airs on Fridays at noon on WFIU.

The Indiana House passed a bill last Tuesday that will reduce protections for Indiana’s wetlands.  

The bill authored by Representative Alan Morrison (R) lowers the number of wetlands that can be classified as Class 3 – Indiana’s most protected wetlands group. The bill also offers incentives to developers to protect some wetlands, though those incentives are unclear. The bill is now being reviewed by the Senate. 

READ MORE: House passes bill to reduce number of Indiana's most protected wetlands 

The proposed bill has drawn some concern from other members of the House and Senate. Some are concerned about the classification process for these wetlands and whether developers will try to capitalize on the bill’s incentives.  

Other concerns include how the wetlands will be impacted by the bill, as Indiana’s wetlands help with heavy rainfall and flood protection. Without these wetlands, infrastructure costs for surrounding cities will increase to monitor and control floods. 

The Senate is also reviewing a bill authored by Senator Sue Glick (R) which would classify some of the wetlands as “wildland.” This would provide tax breaks for homeowners and developers and retain current wetland protections. 

READ MORE: One state wetland bill would reduce protections, another gives tax breaks for preservation 

This week on Noon Edition, we will speak with experts about these bills and Indiana’s wetlands.  

You can follow us on X @WFIUWTIUNews or join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send questions for the show to news@indianapublicmedia.org. 

Guests

Will Ditzler - Chair of Indiana's Wetlands Task Force 

Rachele Baker - Professional Wetland Scientist and President and Founder of Little River Consultants