State officials are taking steps that could lead to a declaration of disaster emergency to address the eroding Lake Michigan shoreline.
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Feb. 20 signed an executive order directing state agencies to pursue collection of damage information along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The order also detailed steps state agencies will take to provide assistance along the shoreline.
Holcomb recently surveyed the Lake Michigan shoreline from an Indiana State Police helicopter, including the communities of Beverly Shores, Ogden Dunes, Portage and Long Beach.
“Our administration has been monitoring the erosion along the Lake Michigan shoreline but I wanted to see the damage firsthand,” Holcomb said. “I signed an executive order to initiate new action steps and further express our dedication to preserving one of our state’s crown jewels for all those who live, work and play along the shoreline.”
The executive order calls for:
- Indiana Department of Homeland Security to immediately notify the Office of the Governor if the damage criteria, set by the federal government, is met to allow the state to apply for federal disaster assistance so the governor can issue an executive order declaring a disaster emergency
- IDHS to seek other federal funding, programs or assistance that may be available for short-term and long-term mitigation projects
- IDHS and Indiana Department of Natural Resources to make every effort to identify additional means, methods and ways to provide necessary and appropriate assistance
- DNR to continue to expedite its review and granting of governmental permits requested by property owners so they can initiate projects to protect their properties along the shoreline as quickly as possible
- IDHS to develop and launch a webpage to share updates and new information
The state has already taken steps to address and respond to the situation with coordinated efforts between IDHS and DNR. State officials also have visited the affected areas on several occasions to observe the damage.
The DNR signed a letter of support for the Great Lakes Resiliency Study, which is an effort by Great Lakes states and federal partners to find strategies to improve the shoreline. DNR, DHS, local officials and members of
Indiana’s congressional delegation have participated in training with FEMA to ensure a proper understanding of the federal Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
