“Critics have long complained that IDEM is understaffed, underfunded and doesn’t do enough to protect the environment.” IDEM, is an “18-year-old state agency with a $161 million budget and more than 900 employees. (Associated Press, ‘Activists wonder where Daniels will lead state’s environment’ Nov. 22, 2004). _______________________________________________________ “The state issued more than $2 million in environmental fines in northeast Indiana from 2004 through 2006, but not all the money was actually collected. Indiana Department of Environmental Management records showed fines in northeast Indiana ranging from $300 to $382,725 during that period, according to The Journal Gazette review of the data published [December 2007] (Indy Star, “IDEM fails to collect fines in full” Dec. 10, 2007). _______________________________________________________ Now the latest report on Violations, Enforcement & Penalties: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120819/LOCAL10/308199948 Clean Water Act violations rising, seldom punished; State regulators dispute findings from EPA data Journal Gazette – Dan Stockman – 20 August 2012 Nearly three out of every four facilities in Indiana operating under the Clean Water Act broke that law in 2009, EPA data show, but of all those violators, only one-third faced any kind of sanctions. –
Read more →Dr. Jordan Marshall – IPFW Environmental Conservation Class Monday October 15, 2012 1:30– 2:30pm Location: St. Joseph and St. Marys converge into the headwaters of the Maumee River – .7 miles downstream easterly Hosey Dam (at N. Anthony Bridge) North bank of the Maumee River; (floodway/spillway- direct middle) sand, loam, clay, river sediment NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANTS – 24 Save Maumee Programing Project with IPFW Environmental Conservation Class In-kind student volunteers completed restoration project CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES In the floodway we planted 4 Pin Oak, 2 Mulberry, 2 River Birch, and one Hornbeam and 30 Oak Acorns into the stretch of river where Save Maumee conducts the majority of conservation projects. As a group today, we also planted native DNR approved seeds; Big Blue Stem, Indian Grass, Switchgrass, New England Aster, Grass Leaved Goldenrod, Prairie Dock, Virginia Mountain Mint, Ironweed, Purple Coneflower, Monarda, and Black Eyed Susan and a few unidentified sedges. We installed the seed blend under 19 feet of coconut mesh, called erosion-control-mats or GeoJute. GeoJute is made from coconut fiber that will completely disintegrate in approximately 5 years. The coconut mesh is to hold down new life as the water raises and flows over the floodway. Dr.
Read more →Where are all the trees? ~ It’s not JUST the Emerald ash borer destroying natural habitat. The Army Corp of Engineers follows the “Guidelines for landscape planting and vegetation management at levees, floodwalls, embankment dams and appurtenant structures (ETL 1110-2-571)” when deciding what trees and plants to remove [on levees]. Downtown Fort Wayne has 8 miles of “downtown river front development” and 10.5 miles of levees next to our rivers. If you have any questions or are concerned with the removal of our natural resources, trees and plants, please contact the following City of Fort Wayne and other government employees: FORT WAYNE, INDIANA ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEER LEVEES (Detroit District) – CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE 10.5 miles are maintained by a non-federal agency/municipality = City of Fort Wayne Board of Public Works #1 Tina Kowitz, P.E Levee Safety Program Manager Geotech & Structures Branch U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District ph: (313) 226-6719 cell: (313) 244-6283 #2 Board of Public Works Bob Kennedy – Manager (260) 427-2693 Shan Gunawardena – Engineer (260) 427-1172 City of Fort Wayne Citizens Square Bldg. 2nd Floor (260) 427-1112 #3 Federal Senator Dan Coats Legislative Assistants: Paige Hallen Casey Murphy Kate Taylor 493 Russell
Read more →2013 Earth Day Flier EARTH DAY is Sunday April 21st from 11am-4pm Map here for all the FUN on Earth Day! Our social media outreach and updates have been sparse since my loving father AND our webguy, Brad Frost is very ill with cancer. FIND ALL THE INFO ABOUT EARTH DAY HERE! For more updates on a regular basis….check out our FACEBOOK! Call if you need anything or would like to participate! Abby 260.417.2500 EMAIL: Abby@SaveMaumee.Org
Read more →