Population: 5,942,901
Counties: 92
Governor Frank O'Bannon

Key Laws/Administrative Actions
Organizations/Media/Calendar

For detailed information on Indiana's planning and zoning statutes, please go to the Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Key Laws:
For an overview of Illinois's planning and zoning statutes, see a summary provided by the American Planning Association.

HEA 1909 Environmental Remediation Revolving Loan Fund (1999)
As part of Indiana’s Brownfields Initiative, Gov. Frank O’Bannon signed into law House Enrolled Act 1909. HEA 1909 allows for the Indiana Development Finance Authority (IDFA) to deposit appropriations or other money received under the Environmental Remediation Revolving Loan Fund Program into a subaccount of the Environmental Remediation Revolving Loan Fund.  If the project meets community determined economic development goals, it could be eligible to receive forgivable loans for up to 20 percent of the loaned amount.  This fund would be used to award forgivable loans to political subdivisions for remediation or other brownfield redevelopment activities:

• Involves an abandoned gas station or underground storage tank.
• Is located within one-half mile of a child care center, home or institution; a school age child care program; or an elementary or secondary school attended by students in kindergarten through grade 12.

For an overview of Indiana's brownfields programs, please go to http://www.state.in.us/idem/olq/brownfields/pdf_files/brownfields_redev_guide.pdf

Administrative Actions:
Executive Order 9727, Hoosier Farmland Preservation Task Force (1997)
The 19-member Task Force was initiated by Indiana Governor O'Bannon due to the public concern over the environmental, economic, and social effects of Indiana rapidly vanishing farmland.  Specifically the Task Force was responsible for the following:

• Examine historical trends, causes and consequences of the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. 
• Identify voluntary methods and incentives for preserving and maintaining land for agricultural production.
• Provide recommendations for enhancing the continued vitality of agricultural activity and for protecting constitutional private property rights.                 To read the final report of the Task Force (distributed in 1999) go to http://www.state.in.us/oca/press.htm

Organizations:
Hoosier Environmental Council
In 1983, the Hoosier Environmental Council was established by environmental leaders throughout Indiana to preserve and protect our state's water, land, air, plants and animals.  HEC has grown from a handful of members to Indiana's
largest environmental organization, with more than 40,000 members. The Council also has 67 organization members. 

The Great Lakes Information Network, or GLIN, is a partnership that provides one place online for people to find information relating to the binational Great Lakes region of North America. Thanks to its strong network of state, provincial, federal and regional partner agencies and organizations, GLIN has become a necessary component of  informed decision making, and a trusted and reliable source of information for those who live, work or have an interest in the Great Lakes region.  Respected across the Great Lakes region and around the world, GLIN offers a wealth of data and information about the region’s environment and economy, tourism, education and more.

The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, non-profit, and non-partisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states. Formed in the mid-1970's, it fulfills its mission by conducting research and analysis, developing and advancing innovative policy, providing evaluation of key federal programs, disseminating information, and highlighting sound economic and environmental technologies and practices.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS