Introduced Version





SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. 9




DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION


    A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the governor to direct state agencies to review all the current lake management and lake protection programs and responsibilities, with the intent of consolidating programs, projects, and personnel, where appropriate, into one identifiable lake management unit within an existing agency of government.



Meeks R




    January 10, 2000, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.








Introduced

Second Regular Session 111th General Assembly (2000)


SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. 9



    A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the governor to direct state agencies to review all the current lake management and lake protection programs and responsibilities, with the intent of consolidating programs, projects, and personnel, where appropriate, into one identifiable lake management unit within an existing agency of government.

    Whereas, In the late 1940s, the general assembly determined that the state's public freshwater lakes were important natural resources to be preserved, protected, and enjoyed by the public and to be held in trust by the state, and the department of conservation (forerunner of the department of natural resources) was assigned or assumed the responsibility of protecting and managing Indiana's public freshwater lakes;

    Whereas, In ensuing years, numerous lake-related laws were enacted, numerous lake-related administrative rules were adopted, and other state agencies, such as the state board of health and the department of environmental management, as well as federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, became involved in varying degrees in lake-related matters;

    Whereas, To complicate matters further, there are currently many separate divisions within the department of natural resources, including the divisions of fish and wildlife, law enforcement, soil conservation, state parks and reservoirs, and water, that are involved in some phase of lake management or protection;



    Whereas, As a result of changes since the late 1940s and pressure on lake resources, lake management in Indiana has evolved into a complex and relatively uncoordinated array of responsible entities and programs, the resources have suffered, and the public is thoroughly confused when it comes to contacting the correct agency for important information and advice; and

    Whereas, Calls to contact appropriate government officers about lake-related matters are frequently answered by staff persons who do not know to whom the calls should be directed, either because the caller has not provided sufficient information or because the staff person does not use or lacks the training to transfer phone calls, or because the information provided to the staff person is outdated or insufficient; Therefore:

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly

of the State of Indiana, the House of Representatives concurring:


    SECTION 1. That the governor is urged to immediately issue an executive order or other appropriate directive instructing the appropriate state agencies to review thoroughly all the various lake management and lake protection programs and responsibilities, with the intent of consolidating programs, projects, and personnel, where appropriate, into one identifiable lake management unit within an existing agency of government.
    SECTION 2. That the governor is urged to invite a reasonable number of concerned citizens to participate in the review undertaken in response to the governor's order or directive.