|
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES The Floodplain Management Section in the Division of Water of the Department of Natural Resources offers educational opportunities about floodplain issues and regulations. The section develops and conducts workshops for local building officials, insurance agents, and the general public to cover aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program, including flood insurance requirements and the requirements which must be met to participate in the NFIP. The section also publishes the newsletter, Waterlines, which targets an audience including local plan commissions, clerk treasurers, insurance agents, lenders, realtors, consulting firms, and the general public. Generally, the Floodplain Management Section coordinates the NFIP in Indiana. Staff of the section provide technical assistance to local building officials to assure the proper implementation of the community's floodplain management procedures. Staff also participate on interagency Hazard Mitigation Teams following a flood disaster. The section maintains for public viewing several maps including: Flood Insurance Rate Maps, Flood Hazard Boundary Maps, Flood Insurance Studies, and Flood Boundary Floodway maps. The Water Rights Section of the Department of Natural Resources provides education which is primarily geared toward water well drillers. As of January 1, 1989, any individual wanting to obtain an Indiana Water Well Driller License for the first time must pass a competency exam administered by the DNR and provide reference concerning their well drilling experience. The exam is used to test the applicant's knowledge of the well construction rules and drilling techniques. Water well drillers are periodically updated concerning the statutes and rules by The Drillers Bit newsletter produced by the Water Rights Section. Additionally, the section mails notices to licensed drillers which outline revisions or proposed revisions to the governing statutes and rules. Public presentations are also made by staff to provide information concerning drilling requirements, good maintenance, and proper abandonment of private wells. In September 1997 DNR became one of the first state agencies in the country to accept electronic permit applications. Homeowners and businesses who need permits to construct along Indiana's streams and lakes can now apply on-line through the Internet. A computer program helps people file the application correctly the first time, enabling DNR staff to reduce the permit processing time by up to one month. Applications can be filed by completing the form found on the agency's Division of Water homepage at http://www.ai.org/dnr/water/. Directions are included on the application form, and a 150-page on-line manual provides the applicant with definitions and examples. The web site also provides users with instant access to a database of more than 13,000 permit applications filed with DNR during the past ten years. The permit application database is updated at each phase of the application review process. Applicants can track their application by using a personal computer to tap into the database. The database is updated with available information every 24 hours. In July 1996, the Regulations Branch of the DNR's Division of Water developed a permit manual to assist applicants with the permit process for construction activities in a floodway. A video over viewing the permit process has been produced to accompany the manual. Materials required to be included with the permit application are outlined and explained. Staff have also included in the manual helpful hints as to what is considered during review procedures and how applications can be prepared to accelerate review time. The manual explains when a permit is needed and provides an application checklist to follow. The public notice process to be conducted by the applicant and the environmental review process, including the historic preservation review, conducted by the DNR are outlined. The manual is the first comprehensive manual to guide potential applicants through the construction in a floodway permitting process. 
|