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Wood Burning for Heating. True with the high heating bills more and more people are using alternate methods to stay warm.
However, as with everything, there are certain responsibilities.

Fugitive Particle Matter is a high concern.

Current U.S.A. Drought Status - graphic map

History to Current - Chart of Pine Lake water level 1980 - 9/2005
Chart of Pine Lake levels 2003 - 9/2005
 We are a total of 21.1 inches below normal for the period 2002 to present. Normal annual rainfall is 42 inches.
From the LaPorte Waste Water Department. Thank you Jerry

LPETAG has been asked to be part of a workgroup to present information to the Air Board for establishing a State Rule about Mercury Reduction. Primarily caused by burning coal to produce electricity.

More information about IDEM-Mercury (click here )

A proud group of individuals in La Porte, IN have decided it is about time for citizens to use our voice in environmental issues. In the past corporate lawyers would run off to ‘down state’ to get permits without the public being aware. Well a few of us say NO MORE!

We have had enough of being burdened with another’s gains.

In pursuing this virtuous outlook we found great support at Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR). So much support that we found it easily done to create this watchdog group.

We choose to be well informed and willing to participate in environmental issues. This is our backyard folks. Time to speak out early against certain situations that would cause more harm than good in our rural county. The hardest part of this is maintaining a prosperous territory at the same time. Quite the dilemma at times.

There are many ways to operate our task. The foremost being information. Information is power. Using it properly it can be an awesome weapon. Give me a typewriter, paper, envelope and a stamp. With these tools we can question those that in the past have supplied minimal information to get their job done.

There are many State laws and rules in effect to give us the tools to question corporate entities operations. Laws are general, broad statements. Rules detail the law. When in question of the Rules: follow the law.

Lets face it folks. La Porte County is the 2nd largest county in Indiana and is ranked 14th by population. We have only three County Commissioners and one County Engineer. By us using our eyes and ears we can help them do their job and make better, more sound decisions. We elect County Commissioners to take care of La Porte County. If we do not inform them of what we want taken care of. Give them legal and legitimate reasons to make a decision. We can not blame them for the decisions they make. Think of it this way. How would you like to be hired for a job. Be given a very small guide book. Told nothing else other than to run this for us. Then get yelled at for decisions you make. Speak UP, be heard, be factual!

La Porte is a non-attainment county. Meaning companies must reduce pollution by 15% and other mandates. Plus, their are new source restrictions.

La Porte Air Quality

Pollutant Status - LaPorte Co. PM-10 Non-attainment SO2 Non-attainment NO2 Non-attainment Ozone Non-attainment CO Non-attainment Lead Non-attainment

Marginal Status. Meaning we are just barely over the attainment limit.
This indicator level was set by EPA not IDEM. Commissioner Kaplan and Governor Kernan had many communications with EPA attempting to prevent this status. Now it is time for citizen outcry.

 One good thing. La Porte is no longer included in the Steel Counties.

IDEM 8 hour standard information and letters to EPA: Click Here

The problem with some laws is that they only effect us when they force us to conform to them now. If the action of another may effect us in the future many times we cannot react to them. These types of laws need to be searched out and set in front of Senators and Representatives in our State. A common example is someone runs a sewer line down our street to reach a public building. We cannot make comment about it because at the time we are not being forced to connect. What about the future? There will come a time, maybe 10 years from now, that we would be told to connect and be subject to the owners of the pipeline. This we believe to be not fair. We had no voice in the conception but will be forced to burden the cost in the future. This and many other issues we aren’t even aware of will be researched and made public.

No one in this group is paid, or funded by any private or governmental group. This is all volunteer and self funded. It only takes about $40 to goto Indianapolis and have a meeting with IDEM or DNR. That includes fuel, food and parking at Capital Parking.

We feel that our position is to help find alternatives to releasing pollutants into our air, land and water. We wish that brownfields never need occur again. Millions of dollars are spent on clean up of Brownfields. Sometimes at the expense of local tax payers. There are ways to prevent this from happening in the first place. It starts with the public watching what is going on in our own back yards. Then calling the correct governmental agency and asking the correct questions. Presenting facts to County Commissioners, City Councils, IDEM, and DNR. When you wish to oppose a pending permit you must offer an alternative. Instead of fighting with government and state agencies we attempt to help inform them of valid alternatives that may be used. It is up to the citizens to protect the land, air and water.

We have rights under laws and rules established by IDEM and the Indiana Constitution. IDEM has made great strides in providing information to the public so we are well informed with little effort on our part. Let us use that to protect the fawn and forma around us.

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