State Senator J.D. Ford (D-Indianapolis) released a statement Tuesday regarding the controversial pipeline construction plan associated with the LEAP Lebanon Innovation District in Boone County.
Some reported designs for the project describe a pipeline diverting water from the Wabash River in West Lafayette to Lebanon for industrial use, and potentially to Eagle Creek Reservoir or the White River for disposal.
Senator Ford stated:
Ford
“I’ve been concerned about and monitoring this project for some time, especially the potential impacts at Eagle Creek. Earlier this month, Representative Pryor and I were able to meet for a productive conversation with folks from IEDC about the issue. I was also glad to see the Governor’s statement referring the project to IFA for further study. I agree that is what is needed.
“There is no need to rush full steam ahead on this pipeline without a full assessment of the downstream impacts – and I mean that literally. White River and the Eagle Creek Reservoir are vital to our local economy and ecosystem alike. I want to be certain any project potentially impacting our waterways and freshwater supply, especially at this scale, will benefit and not harm the communities like mine all along the 35-mile stretch of the proposed pipeline.
“Hoosiers are counting on us to get this right, not just for the here and now on a single project, but for the long-term environmental security of our state. We can afford to do our due diligence here – in fact, we can’t afford not to. I look forward to doing my part to make sure this is moving in the right direction.”
Sen. Ford represents Indiana Senate District 29, which encompasses Boone County’s Eagle Township, Hamilton County’s Clay Township, and Marion County’s Pike and Wayne townships. For more information on Sen. Ford’s legislative agenda or other State Senate business, call 1-800-382-9467 or visit indianasenatedemocrats.org/s29.