NRC Approves New Nature Preserve in Greene County

Friday, November 18, 2022

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) approved the dedication of Clemens Place on Clifty Creek Nature Preserve in Greene County during its regular meeting this week at Fort Harrison State Park.

This 58-acre nature preserve includes a portion of the Clifty Creek canyon, which features towering sandstone bluffs and a karst sink.

The action increases the number of state-designated sites protected by the Nature Preserves Act to 297. Also regarding nature preserves, the NRC approved the dedication of a 207-acre addition to Bluffs of Beaver Bend Nature Preserve in Martin County, nearly doubling its size to approximately 412 acres.

In other action of note, the NRC:

- Granted preliminary adoption to amend 312 IAC 1-1-26 and 312 IAC 6-7-5, which governs the Ordinary High Watermark on the Lake Michigan Coastline, aligning the rule with the Lake Michigan ordinary high water mark statute at IC 14-26-2.1-1. Granted preliminary adoption to amend 312 IAC 5-6-3.5, Special Boating Zones, and Temporary Structure Standards on Clear Lake, to establish an idle zone on the Steuben County lake.

- Approved the following meeting dates for next year: Jan. 17, March 21, May 16, July 18, Sept. 19, and Nov. 21.

The NRC is an autonomous board that addresses topics pertaining to the DNR. More details on these and other actions are at nrc.IN.gov/meetings-and-minutes/current-meeting-agenda under "November Agenda."

The next regularly scheduled NRC meeting is Jan. 17, also at Fort Harrison State Park.

NRC members include the DNR director, heads of three other state agencies (Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, and the Indiana Department of Transportation), six citizens appointed by the governor on a bipartisan basis, the chair of the DNR's advisory council, and the president of the Indiana Academy of Science. The Academy of Science president and the agency heads, other than the DNR director, may appoint proxies to serve the commission in their absences.