Flood victims ask for future help
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Residents affected by recent flooding still have many questions swirling about. Many wonder what exactly caused the floods, how it could have been avoided or minimized and how to prevent future problems.

Those and other questions were broached during a public forum Friday in Delphi. Sponsored by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the forum was an opportunity for government and private entities to explain rules and processes which dictated their actions. It also provided residents a chance to voice their opinions about those rules.

Representatives from DHS, Carroll County Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and NIPSCO were present. Flood victims were provided information about FEMA's role in disaster assistance, floodplain management and mitigation efforts designed to lessen future disasters.

Flood victims asked repeatedly throughout the forum about what NIPSCO, the company which operates Oakdale and Norway dams, planned to do about future floods. NIPSCO spokesperson Jim Fitzer, not listed on the forum agenda, was last to be introduced.

Fitzer said the dams were licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as "run-of-the-river" facilities. He said NIPSCO was not allowed to raise or lower lake water levels by more than three inches in either direction, except up to six inches both ways in an emergency.

Residents argued that despite current regulations, changes should be made to allow water out in advance of potentially hazardous situations. Some stated they believed floods occurred more often and were more severe after the DNR relinquished control of the facilities and FERC rules were put in place in 2003.

Speakers remained available after the forum to answer individual questions. DHS Director J. Eric Dietz said residents' concerns and suggestions would be directed to the proper departments. Senate bill may change rebuilding rules

Senate Bill 104, authored by Sen. Brandt Hershman, was scheduled for discussion on the senate floor for today, Wednesday.

In a telephone interview with the Comet, Hershman said he believed the bill would be approved and passed on to be signed by the governor. He explained changes outlined in the bill would help align state and federal policies.

"The bill will bring some of the state's rules into harmony with federal guidelines," Hershman said. "That will help simplify the overall process."

According to www.in.gov, the bill would protect homes from repetitive flood damage.

Under current law a damaged home located in a floodway may be rebuilt at or above the 100-year flood level. The bill would require homes to be rebuilt at least two feet above that mark.

Additionally the bill would give control of the Flood Control Revolving Fund to the Indiana Natural Resources Commission in place of the State Board of Finance. The switch in authority would help streamline the process for residents who attempt to obtain a loan from the fund according to the state Web site.

Those interested can track the bill's progress online at http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/ses sion/billwatch/billinfo.