TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION

Economic Impact Statement

LSA Document #08-295

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that no small businesses would be directly affected by the rule amendments. The amendments apply to waters of public freshwater lakes that are managed in support of the public trust established by IC 14-26-2.

The DNR estimates there will be no administrative costs to small businesses as a result of compliance with these amendments.

The amendments establish protected watercraft zones in Tippecanoe Lake and James Lake, Kosciusko County, for an area known as the Ball Wetlands. The amendments are established under IC 14-15-7-3(a)(4) for zones where boating restrictions can be implemented for public safety and under IC 14-15-7-3(a)(6) where boating restrictions can be implemented for fish, wildlife, or botanical resource management. The amendments prohibit boating other than with a trolling motor or paddle on the west side of the Ball Wetlands and establish zones on the other sides of the Ball Wetlands where boats cannot be operated in excess of idle speed. The impact high-speed boating can have on emergent vegetation, stirring up bottom sediments, and reintroducing nutrients to the water column has been well documented. The amendments would serve both public safety and aquatic environmental protection. There would be no requirement or cost to a small business.

The DNR does not proposed an alternative regulatory method since the amendments have no impact on small businesses. The DNR did not rely on any studies in its decision not to employ alternatives to the proposed amendments.

DIN: 20080716-IR-312080295EIA

Composed: May 03,2024 7:34:11PM EDT

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