INDIANA
Indiana uses a portion of its section 319 money to fund staff in the
Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Nonpoint Source Program.
Section 319 funds are also used to fund NPS projects to alleviate NPS pollution
around the state. Currently, the approximately 45 active section 319 projects
include urban runoff demonstrations, cost-share programs, and wetland
restoration.
Project management entails soliciting proposals, generating and tracking
contracts, preparing reports and budgets, monitoring projects, and providing
technical and implementation assistance. The NPS staff also coordinates NPS
issues with other agencies, arranges and conducts public meetings on NPS
pollution, provides aid to local communities in deriving solutions, educates
and informs the public on issues, and provides technical training to agency
staff.
Bank Stabilization Protects Erodible Shoreline
Wolf Lake is a natural lake surrounded by dense urbanization. Urban runoff
from the surrounding areas carries sediment to the lake, severely eroding the
shoreline by 0.3 meters each year. Important because of its size and location
within a heavily urbanized area, Wolf Lake is primarily used for recreation
such as fishing, small boating, and swimming. In addition, Wolf Lake provides
one of the few remaining habitats for the silverweed (Potentilla Anserina), a
state endangered plant. Wolf Lake is located in the Grand Calumet River and
Indiana Harbor Ship Canal area--named one of the Great Lakes Basin's 43 areas
of concerns. As part of the Grand Calumet watershed in Northwest Indiana, the
area produces over 25 percent of U.S. steel and is one of the country's largest
oil refining facilities.
Studies show that the area's main nonpoint source problems are caused from
several sources. Urban runoff from city streets, interstate highways, and
adjacent domestic or commercial properties carries various pollutants into the
sewer systems and receiving streams. The entire area surrounding Wolf Lake, the
Indiana Harbor Ship Canal, and the Grand Calumet River is urbanized.
Contaminated sediments and atmospheric deposition-- additional pollution
sources--are particularly acute because of the many industries in the area.
Another pollution source is hydromodification, created by the alteration of
waterways. The Grand Calumet River has been channelized and dredged in some
sections, and the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal is entirely engineered. Streambank
erosion--which occurs naturally from weather, runoff, or stream flow--can be
intensified by land clearing practices related to farming, residential or
industrial development, road building, or timber cutting. The great quantity of
urban runoff in Northwest Indiana makes shoreline erosion a problem for Wolf
Lake.
The Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD) received
section 319 funds in FY 1990 and 1992 that total $145,000 to help install best
management practices to protect the highly erodible shoreline. The installation
of bedding stone and limestone riprap has protected more than 300 meters of
shoreline. In addition, the riprap has provided good habitat for silverweed,
which has expanded onto the riprap area. LCSWCD selected this BMP because of
its cost- effectiveness, ability to withstand wave energy, and compatibility
with the endangered silverweed. Although the bank stabilization project will
help to keep contaminated soil from eroding into Wolf Lake, this project does
not specifically address contaminated - sediments.
The project's success is indicated by the fact that bank erosion has
stopped in the riprap areas. Expansion of the endangered silverweed at Wolf
Lake is another sign of success. Based on these successes, the LCSWCD is using
this BMP in other areas with similar problems.
Field Day Lets Professionals See for Themselves
Concern about urban erosion control prompted Indiana agencies to give
professionals a chance to see for themselves how erosion and sediment control
can be incorporated into original project plans. The project consisted of 10
demonstrations around the state to show urban erosion control, primarily in
housing subdivision and commercial construction. The total cost was $130,000.
FY 1991 section 319 funds contributed $41,000; Indiana Department of Natural
Resources and the local SWCDs provided the remaining $89,000.
The Allen County I-469 Erosion Control Project field day and tour was the
first demonstration project entirely associated with highway construction
activities. Sponsored by the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD) in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and
other local entities, the field day was also strongly supported by the Federal
Highway Administration.
The field day and tour emphasized the importance of incorporating erosion
and sediment control early by discussing project phasing, timing of
installation, and erosion control practice placement. Participants saw
first-hand the impact of nonstructural erosion and sediment control and
observed a rain simulator illustrate the erosion process. They also saw how
practices such as timely seeding, erosion control blankets, mulching, and
sediment control barriers and basins can reduce sedimentation. Participants
learned the vital role of economics in the battle against erosion and sediment.
The tour emphasized that a developer or contractor is much more likely to adopt
erosion and sediment control practices that are proven to be cost
effective.
The I-469 tour attracted approximately 175 highway contractors,
consultants, and government representatives. Local news media promoted the
tour, and two television stations provided coverage, resulting in a local news
spot.
SCS and Allen County SWCD also hosted a seminar and tour at the I-469 site
for INDOT, SCS, SWCDs, and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of
Soil Conservation --and some 80 representatives attended. These events have
resulted in a closer working relationship between soil conservation agencies
and INDOT. More importantly, INDOT has incorporated control practices into its
highway projects and has revised highway project specifications manuals to
reflect conservation practices gleaned from the seminars and tours.
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