July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Log jam broken
State Rep. Bill Davis' efforts to unclog the bureaucracy surrounding removing logjams in Indiana waterways met with success after passing both sides of the state legislature earlier this week.
House Bill 1232, which was authored by Davis (R-Portland), received overwhelming support to remove the requirement for a permit when removing logjams that can cause flooding.
It passed the House 93-1, the Senate 47-3 and then through the House again 77-1 to concur with amendments made by the Senate.
"It's not the total answer," he said. "But it is a step in the right direction.
"It's really kind of a victory to get the awareness," Davis said. "Most people don't realize the damage that's being done by these logjams. They end up caught under a bridge or snagged someplace and it starts to build. Next thing you know we've got water backed up on 100 acres."
Davis, who has spoken in favor of fixing the logjam removal process in past sessions, said that although the bill should make it easier for people to get into those waterways and remove debris, it doesn't remove protections for the beds of the state's navigable rivers and streams.
Jay County surveyor Brad Daniels said the bill should "make it a couple less steps for us to go through."
The logjam issue is especially pertinent at this time of year, since farmers will be soon be getting out in their fields and begin planting.
"Normally my guys walk the river every year especially this time of year," he said. "That way we're able to get it done before the spring."
Daniels said that logjams can cause streams and rivers to back up into ditches, which then in turn cause those ditches to back up into fields causing flooding.
"Just depends on where it's at," he said as to the severity of flooding logjams can cause, but stated that backups in the Salamonie near Portland can cause "major flooding" in town.
Davis said he hopes that this bill will open further discussion into the issue and that further progress on the topic can be made in future sessions.[[In-content Ad]]
House Bill 1232, which was authored by Davis (R-Portland), received overwhelming support to remove the requirement for a permit when removing logjams that can cause flooding.
It passed the House 93-1, the Senate 47-3 and then through the House again 77-1 to concur with amendments made by the Senate.
"It's not the total answer," he said. "But it is a step in the right direction.
"It's really kind of a victory to get the awareness," Davis said. "Most people don't realize the damage that's being done by these logjams. They end up caught under a bridge or snagged someplace and it starts to build. Next thing you know we've got water backed up on 100 acres."
Davis, who has spoken in favor of fixing the logjam removal process in past sessions, said that although the bill should make it easier for people to get into those waterways and remove debris, it doesn't remove protections for the beds of the state's navigable rivers and streams.
Jay County surveyor Brad Daniels said the bill should "make it a couple less steps for us to go through."
The logjam issue is especially pertinent at this time of year, since farmers will be soon be getting out in their fields and begin planting.
"Normally my guys walk the river every year especially this time of year," he said. "That way we're able to get it done before the spring."
Daniels said that logjams can cause streams and rivers to back up into ditches, which then in turn cause those ditches to back up into fields causing flooding.
"Just depends on where it's at," he said as to the severity of flooding logjams can cause, but stated that backups in the Salamonie near Portland can cause "major flooding" in town.
Davis said he hopes that this bill will open further discussion into the issue and that further progress on the topic can be made in future sessions.[[In-content Ad]]
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