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IDEM COVID-19 Actions
Effective June 1, 2021, masks are no longer required in state facilities except for anyone inside any of these state government congregate facilities – state prisons, state hospitals, Indiana Veterans Home, and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Visitors and staff should follow the CDC guidance for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people regarding mask wearing and other protective measures.
$500,000 Available for Community Recycling and Waste Management Projects
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has announced the availability of grant funding from the agency’s Community Recycling Grant Program (CRGP). Counties, municipalities, Solid Waste Management Districts, schools, and nonprofit organizations in Indiana are eligible to submit a Community Recycling Grant application requesting up to $100,000 in individual funding for project or program expenses related to the education and promotion of recycling, startup or expansion of recycling, material reuse, composting, household hazardous waste collection or disposal, and source/waste reduction efforts. Applications will be accepted now through 5:00 PM EST on October 15, 2021. Applicants should refer to the Community Recycling Grant Program and the CRGP Guidelines [PDF] for complete eligibility criteria, application requirements, submittal guidance, and program contact information. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to fund your community sustainability projects, apply today for a better tomorrow!
Draft Wetland Classification Form Presentation
On Friday, August 6th, 2021, IDEM gave a technical presentation on the new draft form [DOC] that the agency intends to use for wetland classification for State regulated wetlands. This draft form has been developed to reflect the changes to wetland definitions in IC 13-11-2 as a result of SEA 389 and to provide transparency and reproducibility in the classification processes for State regulated wetlands. IDEM is seeking feedback on the form using the Comment Form. Feedback we receive will be utilized to finalize the form and technical guidance documents. All comments are due on or before Friday, August 20, 2021. The presentation is available on IDEM’s YouTube channel: Wetlands Consultant Meeting August, 2021 [YouTube].
Extensions for Generators Due to Incinerator Capacity Limitations
IDEM is aware of issues with certain hazardous wastes that are destined for incineration and the impact this is having on Indiana generators. Generators who cannot ship their hazardous waste off site within the allowed timeframe (90, 180, or 270 days) should request a 30-day extension if they have not already exceeded their time limit. If the waste cannot be shipped off site before the extension expires or if the waste has already exceeded the time limit, the generator should self-disclose that they are in violation of the on-site accumulation standard for hazardous waste generators.
Indiana Recycling Infrastructure and Economic Impact Study
IDEM’s Office of Program Support (OPS) has released the Indiana Recycling Infrastructure and Economic Impact Study . The Study was commissioned by the Recycling Market Development Board (RMDB) and prepared by GT Environmental. It provides a comprehensive review and analysis of Indiana’s recycling infrastructure and the significant economic impact of recycling the state. The Study also includes specific recommendations to improve statewide recycling to maximize its impact in the circular economy.
The Study demonstrates that Indiana’s waste and recycling infrastructure for municipal solid waste collected approximately 8.8 million tons in 2019, of which 19% was diverted from landfills through recycling and composting. The Study details that although only 19% of MSW currently generated (the state has a goal of 50%), the impact in total jobs in the recycling industry, the economic impact, and the tax impacts are significant.
Indiana’s State Regulated Wetland Law
On July 1, 2021, amendments to Indiana’s State Regulated Wetland Law became effective. The changes are the result of SEA 389 (Public Law 160) which greatly reduced the number of non-federal wetlands regulated by the state. It is important to note the law did not eliminate protections of state wetlands; regulations governing wetlands remain at both the state and federal level. In order to confirm that a wetland is not regulated, a person seeking to impact the wetland must take certain steps.