Eco Report – May 6, 2021

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To build an idea of what possibilities may come, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation and numerous utility and corporate partners collaborated  to sponsor a wide-ranging study called “Powering Indiana’s Economic Future.”

—Norm Holy

A bill that could significantly reduce protections for Indiana’s wetlands was signed by Gov. Holcomb. The Indiana Environmental Council hoped the governor would veto the bill because it will make most of Indiana’s state-protected wetlands vulnerable to development.

—Norm Holy

Over a hundred Indiana organizations, including major environmental ones, are vowing to continue the fight to preserve the state’s wetlands after Governor Holcomb signed a bill, SEA 389, rolling back wetland protections throughout the state.

—Linda Greene

The South Bend Tribune reports the company Unifrax plans to spend $13 million and add 20 jobs to start a new manufacturing line at its plant near New Carlisle, where the company will pilot a new technology for use in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other industries.

—Norm Holy

Janet McCabe, director of the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute and a professor of practice at the IU Robert H. McKinney School of law at IUPUI, has been confirmed by the U-S Senate as deputy administrator of the EPA.

—Linda Greene

Indiana should consider what Illinois is doing with its coal ash ponds. They are setting new rules for their cleanup. Environmentalists are cheering rules that Illinois regulators have adopted to govern toxic byproducts from burning coal.

—Norm Holy

Now, after fourteen years of legal battles, a federal court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, has ordered the EPA to issue a final regulation on chlorpyrifos within sixty days.

—Linda Greene

CNBC reports that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently described the climate crisis as one of the nation’s existential threats with the potential to profoundly destabilize global security.

—Norm Holy

The New York Times reported that the Senate voted on March 28th to effectively reinstate an Obama-era regulation designed to clamp down on emissions of methane, a powerful, climate-warming pollutant that will have to be controlled to meet President Biden’s ambitious climate change promises.

—Norm Holy

People living in eight of the eleven jails in the three largest county jail systems—New York, Chicago and Los Angeles—are in the 90th percentile or higher for cancer risk related to pollution, including diesel pollution, and respiratory hazards.

—Linda Greene

The Guardian reports Californians are bracing for another year of severe, destructive fires. The governor approved a half-a-billion dollar emergency funding plan to prepare for the looming wildfire season.

—Norm Holy

White-nose syndrome has killed over 90% of northern long-eared, little brown and tri-colored bat populations in fewer than 10 years, according to a new study published in Conservation Biology. Researchers also noted declines in Indiana bat and big brown bat populations.

—Norm Holy

A new report promoting urgent climate action in Australia has stirred debate for the claim that global temperatures will rise past 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next decade.

—Norm Holy

CALENDAR

 

The Central Indiana Wilderness Club is hosting a Beginner Backpacking Trip into the Hoosier National Forest on Friday, May 7th, and Saturday, May 8th.  You will be backpacking near Story, Indiana.  Dinner and breakfast will be provided.  Bring your own lunch, snacks and water bottle.  To register, go to cicwinfo.gmail.com

Spring Mill State Park is hosting a Cave River Valley Hike on Saturday, May 8th, from 10 am to noon.  If you haven’t seen the property that Spring Mill manages in Washington County, then this is the hike for you! Meet Tony at the Donaldson Cave parking lot and follow his car to the Cave River Valley.  This is a very primitive and rugged hike.  Bring waterproof shoes and bug spray.

Enjoy Mother’s Day with a Wildflower Hike at Spring Mill State Park on Sunday, May 9th, from 1 to 2 pm.  Meet Naturalist Emilie at the Lakeview Activity Center for a one mile hike around the lake to learn more about the spring wildflowers.  The hike is partially rugged. You must socially distance.

Take a Hike at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area on Saturday, May 15th, from 1 to 4 pm.  Meet Travis Dunn, the District Forester, at the Visitor Center.  You will hike and learn about Indiana’s native trees while enjoying nature.  You will also have the opportunity to see and take photos of a stand of bald cypress trees.  Social distancing is required.

Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area will be having a Survival Skills Workshop on Sunday, May 16th, from 5 to 6:30 pm.  Meet Bill Spurlin of Sullivan County Master Naturalists at the Visitor Center to learn safety tips for outdoor recreational activities and basic survival skills.  Topics will include exposure to elements, water purification, fire starting, essential gear and much more.  Social distancing and face masks are required.  You must register at https://survivalskills_goosepondfwa.eventbrite.com.