SB0140: Natural resources.

Legislative Summary

Natural resources. Provides that a person may perform certain activities without obtaining a permit from the department of natural resources (department). Provides certain guidelines for cutting, relocating, or removing logs that are crossways in a channel. Provides that a person who removes a logjam from a river or stream: (1) is not required to cut a log or separate a tree from its root system if, in the opinion of the person, the cutting would create an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to the person; and (2) need not remove the dislodged logs from the floodplain if the logs are dried and burned so completely as to eliminate the potential for a new logjam. Permits a person to remove a logjam or mass of wood debris from a river or stream with mechanical equipment appropriate to the task of removing logjam or debris. Authorizes a person to remove debris from a stream under certain conditions without needing a permit from the department. Exempts the state and a county, city, or town from submitting various documents when applying for certain floodway permits. Requires the Indiana state department of agriculture to oversee and take all actions necessary to prepare and publish an updated version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook.