Northwest Indiana Earth Day April 22, 2007 Thomas W. Easterly, P.E., DEE, QEP Commissioner IN Department of Environmental Management

First Earth Day April 22, 1970 NO EPA—President Nixon announced the plan to create EPA on July 9, 1970 and EPA opened on December 2, 1970 NO IDEM—IDEM was established 16 years later in 1986 No Ambient Air Quality Standards—They were first established in 1971 with the intention that they be attained by Northwest Indiana did not meet those ambient air quality standards

Northwest Indiana Environmental Partnerships Northwest Indiana is unique in Indiana and probably in the United States in the number and effectiveness of its partnerships to address environmental issues: Grand Calumet Task Force NIRPC Environmental Management Policy Committee Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center Save the Dunes Shirley Heinz Fund

Northwest Indiana Environmental Partnerships Continued Northwest Indiana Forum Environmental Committee Steel and Refining Industry Community Advisory Committees Quality of Life Council Others The work completed by these Partnerships have really improved the environment in Northwest Indiana

Indicators of Improved Northwest Indiana Environment Visible return of animals Beavers Herons Coyotes Clean up of numerous superfund sites Dredging of historical contamination from rivers Improved Air Quality Improved Water Quality

Counties above AQ Standards January 10, 2005 Allen--Ozone Boone--Ozone Clark—PM & Ozone Dubois--PM Elkhart--Ozone Hamilton--Ozone Hancock--Ozone Madison--Ozone Marion—PM & Ozone Shelby--Ozone St. Joseph--Ozone January 1, 2007 Clark--PM Marion--PM

Northwest Indiana Air Quality Measured Air Quality in Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties meets all current air quality standards (which are much stricter than the original 1971 standards) IDEM is working to have EPA formally recognize that Northwest Indiana Air meets all standards— On April 18, EPA proposed to designate LaPorte County as attainment for all standards. The cleanest measured Particulate air quality in Indiana is at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Combined Sewer Overflows In Indiana 107 communities were originally constructed with sewer systems which overflow when it rains resulting in water pollution which makes the water unsafe for swimming and often causes beach closings Since January 10, of these communities have either solved the problem or agreed to an enforceable plan to solve this problem in a reasonable time frame

NWI Communities with Approved Sewer Overflow Plans Crown Point LaPorte Lowell Michigan City Valparaiso

How can each of us help address remaining Environmental Challenges? Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Reduce energy by: Walking or bicycling for short trips Using mass transit Buying energy star appliances Switching to compact fluorescent (or LED) lighting Buying higher gas mileage and alternative fuel vehicles

How can each of us help address remaining Environmental Challenges? Continued Use curbside recycling and recycling drop off containers for Paper, Metal, Glass, and Plastic Contact you solid waste management district for help with household hazardous wastes including used electronics, mercury, etc. Compost or mulch yard wastes Close the loop by buying recycled Learn from the organizations exhibiting and people speaking here today

IDEM’s Environmental Goal Increase the personal income of all Hoosiers from the current $0.88/$1.00 of the national average to at least $1.00/$1.00 of the national average while maintaining and improving Indiana’s Environmental Quality.

Pilot 2006 Environmental Performance Index Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy Yale University Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) Columbia University

How Does IDEM Protect the Environment? Measure the air, water and land to determine the existing state of the environment Compare the measured values to levels that protect human health and the environment Ambient Air Quality Standards Water Quality Standards Safe soil and ground water clean up levels Use modeling to determine how much of a substance can be added to the environment

How Does IDEM Protect the Environment? Develop regulations and issue permits to restrict discharges to the environment to safe levels Inspect and monitor permitted facilities to ensure compliance with the permits Enforce against people who exceed their permit levels or violate regulations Educate people on their environmental responsibilities

IDEM Makes Environmental Decisions, Not Land Use Decisions When an entity applies for an IDEM permit, the decision to approve or deny the permit is based upon the question: “Does this project meet the requirements designed to protect the environment?” This is different than deciding: Is this the best use of this land? or Is this the best location for this project? In Indiana, these are local land use decisions, not State decisions

Thank You—Any Questions? Tom Easterly 100 N. Senate Ave. IGCN 1301 Indianapolis, IN (317) Fax (317)