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Environmental Quality Service Council Water Regulatory Program Consolidation October 30, 2012

Environmental Quality Service Council Water Regulatory Program Consolidation October 30, 2012. Thomas W. Easterly, P.E., BCEE, QEP Commissioner, Indiana Department of Environmental Management. 2011--2012 IDEM Challenges.

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Environmental Quality Service Council Water Regulatory Program Consolidation October 30, 2012

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  1. Environmental Quality Service CouncilWater Regulatory Program ConsolidationOctober 30, 2012 Thomas W. Easterly, P.E., BCEE, QEP Commissioner, Indiana Department of Environmental Management

  2. 2011--2012 IDEM Challenges • Administratively reissue NPDES General Permits and address antidegradation requirements. • Develop and implement plan for seamless implementation of water program responsibilities currently assigned to: IDEM, ISDH, IDNR, IDHS, and ISDA.

  3. Why Consider Changes? • The Report of the INDIANA AGRICULTURE REGULATORY STRUCTURE TASK FORCE Submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, January 7, 2009 made the following recommendations regarding the regulation of water issues in Indiana:

  4. Why Consider Changes? • Septic System Regulation • “The General Assembly should transfer authority of residential septic system regulation from ISDH to IDEM in order to eliminate duplication and to make implementation more efficient.” • “The General Assembly should require certification of septic system installers in order to make efficient use of state and local resources for oversight.”

  5. Why Consider Changes? • “The Governor should commission a study of combining water related programs into a ‘Department of Water Management’ to determine the long-term feasibility, efficiency and effectiveness of combining programs or altering program implementation in order to eliminate overlaps, plug gaps, and streamline permitting processes.”

  6. Why Consider Changes? • A recent draft of the report of the Sustainable Natural Resources Task Force recommended: “To optimize and manage conflicting goals and needs the state has regarding water we propose consolidating state authority for three distinct water-related tasks in one entity.” 1) Flood control; 2) Drainage; 3) Planning for water availability and distribution.

  7. Why Consider Changes? • The current regulatory system for granting water permits of all types is unclear to even the most experienced environmental professionals. • The current water organizational structure has both overlaps and missed opportunities: • Water quantity and water quality • Water withdrawals and movement of pollution

  8. Agency Responsibilities • Various aspects of water planning are conducted by: • IDEM • ISDH • DNR • ISDA • IDHS • U.S. Army Corp of Engineers

  9. Agency Responsibilities • Various aspects of water permitting are conducted by: • IDEM • ISDH • DNR • U.S. Army Corp of Engineers • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  10. Agency Responsibilities • Various aspects of water compliance activities are conducted by: • IDEM • U.S. Army Corp of Engineers • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  11. Agency Responsibilities • Various aspects of water supply activities are conducted by: • IDHS • DNR • IDEM • Various water related grants are issued by: • DNR • IDEM • ISDA

  12. Current Status • Five Indiana Agencies—IDEM, IDHS, ISDA, ISDH, and DNR are in the process of developing recommendations to the Governor on which programs are most appropriate for consolidation and the organizational structure that could accomplish that consolidation. • The process is focused on activities currently conducted primarily by state agencies.

  13. Role of EQSC • At this time no decision has been made on which, if any, programs may be consolidated; so it is too early to recommend statutory changes. • A joint resolution of the House and Senate endorsing the concept of considering appropriate consolidation of current state agency functions may be helpful.

  14. Questions?

  15. Brad Baughn Business & Legislative Liaison bbaughn@idem.in.gov 317-234-3386

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