The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is asking for the public’s input on a proposed change to a major infrastructure project.
NIPSCO has planned the construction of new transmission lines and the development of new substations to deliver energy more efficiently across the country. The changes are designed to bring energy service providers into compliance with federal legislation.
In the immediate area, White, Pulaski, Starke, Marshall, Koscuisko, Elkhart, and LaGrange counties are affected by the project.
In order to complete the project in Northern Indiana, NIPSCO applied for a Water Quality Certification. Plenty of land restoration was promised to landowners in exchange. The certificate was issued in August of 2014. Now the company has requested a modification to the certificate.
Instead of converting 13 acres of land to emergent wetland, only 12 acres will be impacted under the requested changes. Temporary culver placement would also take place in two streams with permanent culvert replacement in 23 streams.
IDEM is requesting that any in the area with concerns about the modification on water quality to write their offices. If a sufficient number of concerns are received, a public hearing will be held to gather additional information.
Comments are due by October 15th.
