Ind. Senate OKs Little Calumet levee funding bill

INDIANAPOLIs — The Indiana Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would provide permanent funding to complete and maintain levees along northwestern Indiana’s flood-prone Little Calumet River.

The Times of Munster reports the Senate voted 50-0 for the plan Wednesday, sending it onto Gov. Mitch Daniels. A spokeswoman for Daniels said he has not yet reviewed the bill.

The measure requires Lake County property owners in the watersheds of the Little Calumet River and the Burns Waterway to pay an annual per-parcel fee for levee work. The annual fees range from $45 for residential parcels to $360 for industries and utilities.

Democratic State Sen. Frank Mrvan (MUR’-van) of Hammond says a completed and well-maintained levee system will help prevent disasters like a 2008 flood that damaged thousands of homes.