File:Indiana Green Party Testimony opposing SB389 Eliminating Protections for Indiana's Isolated Wetlands.webm

Testimony Opposing Senate Bill 389 - Eliminating Protections for Indiana's Isolated Wetlands Dr. George Wolfe on behalf of the Indiana Green Party

Transcript:

According to a publication known as the Indiana Wetlands Conservation Plan published by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, over the past 200 years, Indiana has lost 85% of its wetlands. And, in a survey which asked opinions concerning the protection of wetlands, 80% of resident Hoosiers, 69% of whom were live in Republican dominated rural areas, said they strongly or moderately support efforts to protect Indiana wetlands.

Furthermore, 78% of respondents said they believe state regulations are necessary to protect our wetlands. These statistics alone should give you all great pause in voting to pass any legislation that is destructive to wetlands.

It has been found that restoring pre-existing wetlands is far better than creating new wetlands for a variety of reasons. Among the reasons are that created wetlands take years to develop, are usually small much less ecological diversity, are often not in areas where sportsman can fish or hunt, and do not provide adequate nutrition and safe-haven for fish and migrating waterfoul.

We are all aware of the difficulties that exist in striking a balance between environmental conservation management and economic growth, but there are other ways to provide for economic growth and job opportunities in Indiana without jeopardizing the precious wetlands we already have. These include tax breaks for private landowners who restore wetlands that have been drained, and tax breaks for home builders that design structures that utilize solar, wind and geothermal energy technologies, all of which are becoming more practical and economical.

In 2016, many republicans ran on the promise to drain the swamp. But with this legislation, you’re draining the wrong swamp. You need to be draining the political swamp, not our Indiana wetlands.

Indiana Green Party member, Dr. George Wolfe, testified against SB389 on behalf of the Indiana Green Party. Watch Dr. Wolfe's testimony here or on the in.gov website by selecting "Monday, Mar. 22 - 10:30am" from the "Meetings" drop down, then navigating to 58:08 in the video.

Senate Bill 389 - http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/senate/389/ Full Committee Video, March 22, 2021 - http://iga.in.gov/information/archives/2021/video/committee_environmental_affairs_0700/