Remediation
Environmental stewardship is a process of continual learning. We are only now learning the hazards of certain practices that once were considered acceptable. When releases or other impacts on the environment are discovered, a process of investigation is begun. If it appears that there is potential for a serious problem, we make a decision as to the best method for addressing it. That may range from simple excavation and disposal of affected media to the application of advanced technology.
The choice is not always a simple one. Local geology, the nature and extent of contamination and cultural features (such as utilities, buildings, or roads) play a part in deciding the appropriate method of remediation. In all cases we consult the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to verify compliance with regulations.
Any of the following numbers will put you in contact with a member of our staff.
Fort Wayne and Greenfield Districts 317-232-5112
LaPorte and Crawfordsville Districts 317-232-5113
Seymour and Vincennes Districts 317-233-2050
Special Projects
Salt
When an especially difficult or persistent environmental problem becomes apparent, the investigation and remediation can be very complex and time-consuming. Such was the case with one of our facilities in northwestern Indiana. Aided by several decades of rain, road salt which had been stored in an unprotected pile started dissolving into the local aquifer, threatening the local water supply. Although salt at our facilities is now stored and handled in a much more protected manner, the responsibility to remediate the mistakes of the past remained. The cleanup is expected to take anywhere from five to seven years.
For information on this project, please call 317-233-1164.
Brownfields
In some cases, contaminated sites can sit idle for years if the owner is unwilling or unable to begin a cleanup. These properties, called brownfields, represent damage to the environment which can spread to neighbors. They lower property values and are frequently eyesores, with distressed or nonexistent vegetation, soil staining or other obvious signs of environmental problems.
INDOT is assisting in the return of impacted land to productive use. The military recently closed a base in southern Indiana, and although they cleaned up the more exotic contamination, problems like lead-based paint and asbestos insulation remained in the facility buildings. INDOT decided to address the remaining problems and convert the buildings to highway use. Above and to the left are pictures from the remediation.
The New Madison Subdistrict went into full service in November 2002. Since the buildings were already in place, with cranes, lifts and other heavy vehicle maintenance infrastructure built in, it was much simpler than constructing a new garage. The larger facility is state of the art, fully accessible and offers a much larger work area for highway maintenance operations.
INDOT's reuse of the property is a win-win solution. A military property that would have remained idle was returned to productive use, and renovation of the existing structures provided the Department with a larger and better-equipped facility than would have been possible otherwise. For more information, visit the Indiana Brownsfields Program web site at: http://www.brownfields.in.gov/For information on this project in particular, please call 812-522-5649 X242.
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