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Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Environment - Peabody mine waste; Visclosky appropriation; South Bend settlement

"Peabody mine waste plan worries environmentalists" is the headline to an AP story today in the Evansville Courier& Press. The story begins:

MARISSA, Ill. - Peabody Energy Corp. wants to store on previously mined land coal-combustion waste from its planned $2 billion power plant near this Southern Illinois town, stoking worries among environmentalists that the waste could seep into local water supplies.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency plans to hold a hearing Wednesday night in this Washington County community over two Peabody permit requests - one to allow some runoff from the mine to flow into a Mud Creek tributary, the other to allow the disposal of coal combustion waste at an existing coal mine.

"Visclosky secures $24 million for flood protection, environmental projects" is the headline to this story today in the Munster (NW Indiana) Times:
WASHINGTON, D.C. | U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., announced Tuesday that Northwest Indiana will receive $24.275 million for flood control, infrastructure and environmental projects under the Energy and Water Appropriations Act that is set to pass both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Bush.

According to Visclosky, the projects, which will be directed at flood control projects, environmental cleanup efforts and investment in local infrastructure, are all part of improving the quality of life in Northwest Indiana.

In the legislation, Visclosky secured a total of $14.7 million for flood control projects in Northwest Indiana. $6.5 million will go toward the Little Calumet River Flood Control project, which includes 22 miles of levees and flood walls to protect citizens and businesses in Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Highland and Munster. To date, Visclosky has secured $105.2 million for this project.

In addition, Visclosky secured $8.2 million for the Cady Marsh Ditch project, which provides a necessary marsh-land offset for the Little Calumet Flood Control Project. This funding amount is $4.2 million higher than the originally budgeted $4 million as passed by the House in May of this year.

Visclosky also secured funding for several environmental projects in Northwest Indiana. The Indiana Shoreline Erosion Project will receive $275,000 to fund operations. For many years, the natural movement of sand along the lakeshore has been interrupted by harbor structures, causing accelerated erosion of the beach and dunes. The continuation of this project is necessary to slow the erosion and reverse its effects to protect the beaches for future generations.

Visclosky also secured $300,000 to continue the environmental restoration at Wolf Lake. These funds will assist with the reconstruction of wetlands and aquatic habitats.

In Whiting, Visclosky secured $100,000 for the Whiting Shoreline Protection project. This project will determine the best way to protect the Whiting shore from storm damage and reverse existing damage to the area.

Visclosky was also able to secure $300,000 for an ecosystem restoration project for Cedar Lake. The goal of the project is to deepen the lake and restore its natural ecosystem, which for decades has been affected by natural pollution.

Several infrastructure projects throughout Northwest Indiana will also receive funding. The Indiana Harbor in East Chicago will receive $8 million for a Confined Disposal Facility, $300,000 for operation, maintenance and dredging, and $300,000 for dredging along the Indiana Harbor and Grand Calumet River. Visclosky also secured $800,000 for operation, maintenance and dredging at the International Port of Indiana in Porter County.

"South Bend settles environmental case: Lawsuit against Studebaker's successor continues" is the headline to this story today in the South Bend Tribune. Some quotes from the story by Jamie Loo:
SOUTH BEND -- The city settled its environmental case with Allied Products Corp. but is still involved in a lawsuit with Studebaker's insurers.

City officials and the attorney for the two cases, Jeff Featherstun of Plews, Shadley, Racher and Braun, wouldn't disclose the amount awarded in the settlement. Featherstun said a confidentiality agreement with Allied bars them from discussing it. [my emphasis]

The Common Council approved transfer of the settlement money to Fund 209, a city Community and Economic Development fund. Fund 209 is for nontax revenue money such as federal grants and private donations, specifically related to the Studebaker/Oliver Revitalization Project. All money in the fund goes toward redevelopment for the corridor.

Public records for transactions in Fund 209 for the month of October show a "proceed settlement" of more than $600,000. Featherstun would not confirm or deny that amount.

In the early 1990s, the city found environmental contamination affecting the soil and groundwater at the former Studebaker facilities and surrounding area. Allied Products Corp. occupied some of the former Oliver Plow Works properties and a nearby stamping plant on South Franklin Street. Two separate lawsuits were filed to help the city recover costs for contamination cleanup and building demolition, according to Tribune archives. * * *

The other environmental case in the Studebaker/Oliver Corridor involving Studebaker's successors has taken many twists and turns. Studebaker Corp.'s alleged liability insurance company, McGraw-Edison Co., tried to claim it was not the legal successor to the Studebaker Corp. But in August, Marion County Superior Court ruled that McGraw-Edison is the legal successor. The court also denied McGraw-Edison's motion for a summary judgment on all claims.

Here is a 1/20/05 ILB entry relating to the Studebaker case.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 9, 2005 11:07 AM
Posted to Environment