Lower Fall Creek Watershed Management Plan
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
1:30 pm Thursday, May 31, 2007
held at
Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.
115 W. Washington St., Ste. 1368 Indianapolis
317-266-8000
MEETING SUMMARY

Steering Committee Members Present:
Chris Barnett, Near North Development Corporation
Crist Blassaras, Madison County SWCD
Victoria Cluck, Indianapolis DPW
Josh Goode, Watershed Resident
Tina Jones, Indy Parks
Lori Kaplan, City of Lawrence DPW
Ron Lauster, Marion County SWCD
Bob Masbaum, Indianapolis DPW
Donna Price, Indianapolis DMD
John South, Hamilton County SWCD
Others Present:
Paula Baldwin, Marion County SWCD
Bob Barr, IUPUI CEES
Lisa Bihl, Empower Results
Zach Bishton, CBBEL
Heather Buck, CBBEL
Jill Hoffman, UWRWA & Empower Results
Anna Jetmore-Vargas, Indy Parks
Sheila McKinley, CBBEL
Sky Shelle, IDEM
John Ulmer, Central Indiana Watersheds
Leanne Whitesell, IDEM

1. Welcome and Introductions

Paula Baldwin from the Marion County SWCD Board of Supervisors welcomed everyone
to the meeting. Paula provided background on the form and function of SWCDs in
Indiana and specifically Marion County. Paula provided an overview of the Districts
desire to prepare a Watershed Management Plan (WMP) for the 4-county Lower Fall
Creek Watershed and the IDEM 319 grant that is funding this planning effort. Everyone
followed by introducing themselves, who they were representing, and their interest in the
Lower Fall Creek Watershed.

2. Review Planning Grant Schedule and Requirements

Sheila McKinley from CBBEL and Project Manager for the Lower Fall Creek WMP
reviewed the WMP Checklist and Tasks that must be completed in order to fulfill the
IDEM WMP grant requirements. The Tasks include: A) Developing a WMP; B) Conduct
Water Quality Monitoring; C) Develop an Education and Outreach Program; and D)
Implement a BMP Demonstration Project. Sheila reviewed the 30-month project
Timeline and noted that the start of the project was delayed from December 2006 to May
2007 due to the time it took the SWCD to hire and negotiate the subcontract with
CBBEL. Fortunately IDEM has been flexible with the lack of progress made in the first
and second quarter. However, Sheila added that CBBEL staff will work diligently to get
the project on schedule as quickly as possible.

3. Benefits of Watershed Planning

Sheila McKinley from CBBEL presented watershed planning as a means to 1) maintain,
protect, and restore natural resources; 2) support environmental protection, quality of
life, and economic development; and 3) establish partnerships between government,
businesses, and citizens with a common goal. Comprehensive watershed planning
efforts can have significant environmental, community, financial, and administrative
benefits. Sheila reminded the Steering Committee that the impacts of clean water are
far reaching and necessary for drinking water, manufacturing processes, agriculture
production, economic development, recreation and tourism, and quality of life and that is
precisely why such a diverse group of local leaders and decision-makers has been
asked to serve on the Lower Fall Creek WMP Steering Committee.

4. Overview of Lower Fall Creek Watershed

Zach Bishton from CBBEL presented an overview of the current land use and known
water quality impairments in the Lower Fall Creek Watershed. More than 50% of the
Lower Fall Creek Watershed is developed for residential, commercial, industrial, and
institutional type uses. Zach noted that the majority of the developed portion of the
Lower Fall Creek Watershed is in Marion and Hamilton Counties. Zach presented data
from IDEM’s 2002 Fall Creek TMDL Report, IDEM’s Fixed Station Data along Fall Creek,
the Marion County Health Department from Fall Creek, Indianapolis DPW Combined
Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long Term Control Plan, and Indiana University’s 2003 Study of
Mud Creek/Sand Creek. All studies indicate elevated nutrient concentrations, elevated
bacteria concentrations, and impaired biological communities. Zach added that the
suspected sources listed in these reports include failing septic systems, illicit
connections, wildlife, stormwater, CSOs, and land application of pesticides. Zach
reminded the Steering Committee that this was just an initial overview of the known
water quality impairments and that an important part of developing the WMP is to identify
known and probable causes and sources of water quality impairments in the Lower Fall
Creek Watershed.

Heather Buck from CBBEL presented information on the ethnic, language, and
economic diversity in the Lower Fall Creek. According to the US Census, the Hispanic
population increased 300% in both Marion and Hamilton County between 1990 and
2000. During this same time, the Hispanic population decreased in Madison County.
The African-American population is very small in Hancock, Madison, and Hamilton
Counties but accounts for more than 20% of the population in Marion County. Similarly,
languages other than English spoken at home were also greatest in Marion County.
Median household income and owner occupied housing is considerably higher in
Hamilton, Hancock, and Madison County than in Marion County. Heather reminded the
Steering Committee that reaching the very diverse Stakeholders/Public in the Lower Fall
Creek Watershed will require creative partnering with existing neighborhood
associations, churches, and community-based organizations.

5. Desired Project Outcomes

Sheila McKinley opened the floor to the Steering Committee to 1) discuss what current
programs, policies, and projects in Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, and Madison Counties
would benefit the development of the Lower Fall Creek WMP and 2) to understand what
each Steering Committee member would like to see come out of this planning effort.
Tina Jones with Indy Parks discussed the historic value of Fall Creek from Emerson
Avenue to the White River, and that the promotion of the historic and cultural value of
the watershed could go along way towards creating long-term public interest. Tina
talked about the Indy Parks Land Stewardship program, public land holdings, and the
greenway along Fall Creek. Tina discussed potential partnering opportunities
associated with the annual Future Farmers of America (FFA) National Convention. The
FFA convention has a National Service Day. She also suggested coordinating with FFA
to conduct some restoration projects in the watershed as a part of their National Day of
Service.

Bob Massbaum with Indianapolis DPW discussed the importance of working with the
City in order to ensure that the watershed project is well coordinated with the City’s CSO
Long Term Control Plan implementation efforts. Bob stressed the importance that both
groups understand how these two projects merge together.

Victoria Cluck with Indy DPW added that the City’s CSO Long Term Control Plan is not
limited in scope to CSO’s and that it focuses on broader environmental efforts. She also
mentioned that coordination with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful would be beneficial, and
that illegal dumping issues are a problem in the watershed.

Lori Kaplan with Lawrence DPW discussed the new Fort Harrison Urban Village
Development and suggested that there might be opportunities to incorporate some
innovative stormwater BMPs into the project.

Donna Price with Indy DMD discussed her interest in developing incentive programs to
encourage developers to implement innovative stormwater BMPs. Donna also
discussed a need to heavily involve local schools and Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops.
Donna suggested coordinating with these groups to conduct volunteer sampling and
storm drain marking projects.

Crist Blassaras with the Madison County SWCD suggested promoting and soliciting
participation in an Adopt-A-River program along Fall Creek. Crist also suggest
coordinating with the Court system to utilize non-violent offenders for stream and open
space clean-up efforts. Crist also suggested partnering with local Universities to conduct
research studies in the watershed, as well as to promote local stewardship efforts.

Jill Hoffman with Empower Results discussed her organizations role with the Upper
White River Watershed Alliance (UWRWA), and the UWRWA’s support for the Lower
Fall Creek Watershed project. Jill also discussed her hope that this project will result in
tangible water quality improvement projects.

Chris Barnett with Near North Development Corporation discussed his hope that in the
future Fall Creek and water quality will be viewed as valuable amenities to individual and
businesses within the watershed. Chris also discussed that restoration and trail
expansion projects would be of benefit both in terms of economic development and
water quality. Chris is also the Vice Chair of the Marion County Wellfield Education
Corporation (MCWEC), and mentioned that it will be important to understand the
interplay between surface water and groundwater in the watershed.

Bob Barr with the Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) at IUPUI said
that they are very interested in this project and that the Fall Creek is very much in-line
with the types of projects CEES has been involved with in the past. Bob said that
naturalization projects along Fall Creek would be beneficial. Bob also stressed the fact
that he would like to see this project go beyond the typical 319 project, and result in
something that is tangible and around for the long-term.

John South with the Hamilton County SWCD mentioned that it would be good to have a
representative from the Town of Fishers and the Hamilton County Surveyor’s Office
involved in the project. John also discussed the Hamilton County SWCD’s Backyard
Conservation Program, which is targeting landowners in the Fishers/Geist areas of
Hamilton County.

6. Identify Key Stakeholders

Sheila McKinley from CBBEL noted that in order to be truly successful and develop a
WMP that local community leaders, decision-makers, and the public will embrace and
want to implement, there is a large number of people and organizations that need to be
included in the development of the Lower Fall Creek WMP. Sheila suggested forming 3
Working Committees that focus specifically on 1) Education & Outreach, 2) Water
Quality, and 3) Land Use & Economic Development. Participation in the Working
Committees would be open to those with expertise and interest in one or more of the 3
topics. The intent would be to thoroughly discuss each topic, identify critical areas in the
Lower Fall Creek Watershed, and recommend programs, policies, and projects to
improve water quality.

Tina Jones from Indy Parks suggested focusing the Working Committees on the Urban,
Suburban, and Rural land use and related issues. This idea generated much discussion
among the Steering Committee members. Sheila offered to work with the SWCD and
look into this idea further.

7. Next Steps

Ron Lauster from the Marion County SWCD commented that the planning process is
just getting started and that there are plans for a Lower Fall Creek Watershed webpage
complete with maps, meeting notes, meeting schedule, and a “blog” for discussion
Lower Fall Creek WMP – Steering Committee Meeting Summary (5-31-07) 4
purposes. Ron noted that the Stakeholder/Public Meeting has been tentatively
scheduled for the mid-July, followed by Working Committee meetings in mid-August, and
a Steering Committee meeting in late August. Ron asked for suggestion for meeting
locations that were somewhat centralized in the watershed. Several suggestions were
mentioned including the Neighborhood Resource Center at the State Fair Grounds, the
Julia Carson Center on Fall Creek Parkway, Fort Benjamin Harrison Park, and Lawrence
Community Building. To lessen confusion, Ron would like all meetings to be held in the
same location and will do some research to determine what facility would be best.

8. Closing and Adjournment

Paula Baldwin enthusiastically thanked everyone for their participation in a very
productive first Steering Committee meeting of the Lower Fall Creek WMP, wished
everyone well and looked forward to seeing them again in August.

 

Lower Fall Creek Watershed Management Plan
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
3:00 pm Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Lawrence Government Center
9001 East 59th Street
Meeting Summary

Steering Committee Members Present:
Ron Lauster, Marion County SWCD
Chris Barnett, Near North Development Corporation
Kelly Wood, City of Indianapolis Neighborhood Liaison
Crist Blassaras, Madison County SWCD
Gwen White, IDNR
Lori Kaplan, City of Lawrence DPW
Angie Dye, Veolia Water Company
Others Present:
Lisa Bihl, Empower Results
Heather Buck, CBBEL
Sheila McKinley, CBBEL
Sky Schelle, IDEM

1. Welcome and Introductions

Ron Lauster, Marion SWCD, welcomed everyone to the Steering Committee meeting
while a sign in sheet was distributed. Those in attendance introduced themselves and
indicated the agency or office which they represented. A Steering Committee contact list
was distributed and those in attendance were asked for their preference on the type and
amount of contact information they would like included on the Lower Fall Creek
Watershed website. Ron also provided attendees with several informational pieces
regarding the watershed activities, upcoming events, and newsletters.

2. Overview of Public Meeting

An overview of the Public Meeting held in the Lawrence Government Building on July 24
was provided by CBBEL staff. Bulleted highlights were also provided in a packet
distributed. This information can be found in the rear of this meeting summary.

3. Issues Discussed in the Working Groups and Next Steps

An overview of the three Working Group meetings (Water Quality – 8/07/07, Land
Use/Economic Development – 8/14/07, and Education & Outreach 8/16/07) was
provided by CBBEL staff. Bulleted highlights were also provided in a packet distributed.

This information can be found in the rear of this meeting summary. Several of the
Steering Committee members informed the group of additional informational outlets that
could be utilized throughout the planning effort and their willingness to assist in making
those contacts.

4. Identify Topics for Steering Committee Meetings

Much time was spent discussing the topics of the upcoming quarterly Steering
Committee meetings. Sky Schelle with IDEM noted that the intent of the planning
process was to produce a document through the leadership of local figures that can take
the plan and move into the implementation phase. It is important that this plan not be
placed on a shelf.

Crist Blassaras noted that while in the planning phase, the Steering Committee and
Working Groups should use the knowledge available such as IUPUI/CEES. Several
other groups have completed monitoring, planning, and have implemented projects that
can and should be used to further this planning effort.

Chris Barnett of the Near North Development Corporation noted that local ordinances
and regulations should be reviewed to determine what impacts they have on water
quality and quantity, noting that several ordinances may be in place that aren’t typically
thought of as having an effect on water (i.e. sidewalk ordinances). Chris also mentioned
the need to align both the ground and surface water policies for the protection of the
entire watershed.

Throughout the discussion several key topics such as changes in land use, drinking
water, wellhead protection efforts, water quantity, stream management, Geist Reservoir,
and stakeholder involvement were mentioned. Steering Committee members expressed
the need to continue to gather information from stakeholders regarding watershed
issues, provide that information to the Working Groups, and have the Working Groups
formulate recommendations based on that information.

The group came to a consensus on the topics for the next several Steering Committee
meetings: January 2008 – Land Use change in the Lower Fall Creek Watershed; March
2008 – Stream morphology and water quantity issues; and May 2008 – Drinking water
quality and policies.

5. Closing and Adjournment

Ron Lauster provided the closing comments by reiterating the need to sign in and
thanking everyone for their participation. Ron also mentioned that he would be meeting
with a soils class from IUPUI and would like suggestions on possible student projects
that can be completed within the watershed for the benefit of the students as well as the
planning effort. The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2008
at the Lawrence Government Center to begin at 3:00 pm.

Lower Fall Creek WMP – Pubic Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE

BACKGROUND:
· 25 interested stakeholders met on 7/24/07
· Ron Lauster discussed the 319 grant
· CBBEL staff presented anticipated outcomes, grant requirements, and water
quality data
· Brochures were provided

DECISIONS & DISCUSSION:
· Issues in the watershed.
o Excessive sediment and debris build up: Emerson/Fall Creek Bridge
o Standing water after small rain events: Millersville Rd/Mallard Lake
o Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) successes in
Upper Fall Creek Watershed
o Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation & Development (HH RC&D)
program success throughout Central Indiana
o Health hazard warning signs below 46th St
o Invasive species management
o Concerns over management of Geist Spillway
o Windridge Condominiums - severe erosion, main access closed
· Existing water quality data also presented.

NEXT STEPS:
· Those present were encouraged to participate in Working Groups
· Follow ups to those stakeholders wishing to include watershed updates in
individual newsletters, websites, etc.
· Information discussed during the public meeting will be utilized during the
upcoming Working Group meetings.
· Next Public Meeting will be in the 8th quarter of the grant (Sept – Nov 2008)

Lower Fall Creek WMP – Water Quality Working Group
STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE

BACKGROUND:
· 16 interested participants met on 8/7/07
· Outlined role of Working Group:
o Identify water resource problems
o Assist in the analysis and synthesis of existing water quality data
o Establish pollutant load reduction targets
o Identify critical areas within the watershed
o Propose best management practices to improve water quality

DECISIONS & DISCUSSION
· Discussed water quality monitoring requirements of the grant: collection of no
less than eight (8) water chemistry samples from no less than ten (10) sites in the
watershed.
o existing water chemistry data seems sufficient
· Discussed collecting macroinvertebrate samples, habitat assessments, and
geomorphic measurements from 10 sites in the watershed
· Future meeting topics:
o Streambank erosion and effects on watershed
o Rule 5 enforcement
o Improved coordination and management of data collection
o Geomorphic changes in Fall Creek
o Identify Critical Areas and BMPs

NEXT STEPS:
· Water monitoring scope change
· Develop Quality Assurance Protection Plan (QAPP)
· Next meeting 3pm 11/13/07 at the Lawrence Government Center.

Lower Fall Creek WMP – Land Use & Economic Development Working Group
STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE

BACKGROUND:
· 13 local land use planners/economic development staff and interested public met
on 8/14/07
· Outlined role of Working Group:
o Define land use categories (affecting water quality)
o Identify where and how development/redevelopment is occurring
o Identify Critical Areas and best management practices (BMPs)
o Discuss standards for development/redevelopment
o Determine if standards are good/bad for water quality and/or economic
development

DECISIONS & DISCUSSION:
· Presented existing land use data 1992 satellite Multi-Resolution Land
Characteristic data and State Land Use Codes – both dismissed
· Group developed land use categories to better reflect impact on water quality
o Agriculture (cropland or pasture)
o Woodland/Park/Preserves/Wetlands/Floodplains/Cemeteries
o Golf Courses
o Commercial/Industrial/Apartment Complexes (non-pollutant generating,
non-NPDES)
o Commercial/Industrial (pollutant generator, NPDES permit, CRTK, CAFO,
auto salvage, landfill, private WWTP)
o Active Rule 5 (land cleared for construction)
· Future meeting topics:
o Determine rate of growth and land uses in transition
o Identify Critical Areas and BMPs to improve water quality
o Review Development Standards and impact on water quality and
economic development

NEXT STEPS:
· Create land use map
· Review historic aerials to document rate of growth
· Document land uses in transition (economic development/Rule 5)
· Representation from all County and Community planners and economic
development departments
· Next meeting 9 am 11/13/07 at Lawrence Government Center

Lower Fall Creek WMP – Education & Outreach Working Group
STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE

BACKGROUND:
· 5 interested participants met on 8/16/07
· Outlined role of Working Group:
o Provide educational opportunities to the stakeholders
o Utilize existing sources to inform watershed stakeholders
o Receive recommendations from other Working Groups

DECISIONS & DISCUSSION:
· Discussed existing education and outreach outlets
o Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations
o Hamilton, Hancock, Madison, and Marion SWCD contacts
o Alternative media contacts: 107.1 Spanish radio; Amos Brown; etc.
o Recreation and Service Clubs: Boy/Girl Scouts, Canoe Club, Fishing Club
o Eagle Creek and Upper White River Watershed groups
o Utility bill inserts
o Dick Wolfsie, WISH TV 8 (or other local news programming)
o Locations for information distribution: Fall Creek Bait & Tackle, golf
courses, Indy Parks
o Area High School Science Teachers, Clubs, FFA, etc.
· Need to engage elected officials (Fed, State, City, and County levels)

NEXT STEPS:
· Review school district ethnicities
· Map legislative boundaries and identify representatives
· Receive guidance from other Working Groups
· Discuss workshop topics
· Next meeting 3 pm 12-13-07 at the Lawrence Government Center.