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Next CARE Event Held Remotely Due to COVID-19:

The Citizens Advisory for the Remediation of the Environment (CARE) will be holding a Workgroup Meeting remotely on June 23, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Central Time. This CARE Workgroup Meeting will be held as a Microsoft Teams meeting.

Members of the public may attend and observe the meeting.

  • Call-in Number (Long-distance charges may apply): (317) 552-1674
  • Meeting ID: 967 043 956#

About the CARE Committee:

The Citizens Advisory for the Remediation of the Environment (CARE) plays an active role in advising IDEM on the removal of the 12 remaining Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) that apply to the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern. The committee is comprised of members of local organizations, industries, and agencies who are dedicated to improving the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the area’s ecosystem.

Committee members are appointed by the IDEM commissioner and meet regularly to provide input to IDEM on the criteria (removal targets) and the tasks (management actions) necessary to remove the remaining BUIs and delist the AOC. CARE also educates the public about its progress and the status of the Grand Calumet River. Examples of CARE education and outreach have included Public Learning Events and AOC Seminars.

Current CARE Members:

CARE members are invited to the committee by letter from the commissioner of IDEM. Current invited members of the committee are:

  • Cleveland Cliffs, Indiana Harbor:
    • Tom Barnett
    • Mariya Trenkinshu
  • City of East Chicago:
    • Fernando Treviño
  • City of Gary:
    • Brenda Scott-Henry
  • Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant:
    • Leslie Dorworth
  • Indiana University Northwest:
    • Peter G. Avis
  • The Nature Conservancy:
    • Joel Perez-Castaneda
    • Susan MiHalo
  • NiSource:
    • Steve Barker
  • Northwest Indiana Forum:
    • Kay Nelson
  • Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission:
    • Jennifer Birchfield
  • Northwest Indiana Urban Waters Federal Partnership:
    • Victoria Wittig
  • Purdue University Northwest:
    • Dr. Stephen Turner
  • Save the Dunes Conservation Fund:
    • Betsy Maher

Affiliated State and Federal Agency Staff:

In addition, staff from several federal and state agencies actively participate in CARE. These agency staff provide critical technical support and advice to the committee.

  • Citizens Advisory for the Remediation of the Environment:
    • John Fekete
  • Indiana Department of Environmental Management:
    • Michael Spinar
    • Michelle Caldwell
    • Beth Admire
    • Anne Remek
    • James Bailey
  • Indiana Department of Natural Resources:
    • Jenny Orsburn
    • Emily Stork
    • Carl Wodrich
    • Ashley Sharkey
    • Lynn Riddle
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    • Natalie Mills
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
    • Caitie Nigrelli
    • Leah Medley
    • Peggy Donnelly
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
    • Dan Sparks
    • Will Tucker
  • U.S. Geological Survey:
    • Murulee Byappanahalli
    • David Lampe

CARE Workgroup Meetings:

The CARE Committee currently holds workgroup meetings approximately eight times per year. During the meetings, which are open to the public, CARE members discuss the development and status of various projects necessary to remove the remaining BUIs and delist the AOC. They also provide advice to IDEM on other tasks required to implement the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the AOC. IDEM provides notice of upcoming workgroup meetings through the Northwest Indiana Public Notices page and other outlets.

Summaries of previous meetings are provided below for public review:

CARE Public Learning Events:

Beginning in June 2018, the CARE Committee began hosting Public Learning Events for AOC residents. At these events, CARE shares information regarding the Grand Calumet River AOC program and associated projects. Members of the public are also given an opportunity to provide comments or ask questions at these events. IDEM publicizes the Public Learning Events through social media (Facebook and Twitter), local media, and other outlets.

Presentations from previous Public Learning Events:

CARE Seminar:

From 2013 through 2017, the CARE Committee hosted a Grand Calumet River Area of Concern Seminar to update the public about its accomplishments and discuss related topics.

How to Sign Up for CARE Updates:

Interested parties may register for CARE updates via text or email by using the State of Indiana’s GovDelivery service. Users may access this service while on this webpage by clicking the envelope icon under the Social Links portion of the navigation bar. The CARE subscription topic is found at the bottom of the IDEM Quick Subscribe page.

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