§ 13-12-4-5 — Directives

Indiana § 13-12-4-5

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 12: GENERAL PROVISIONS
• Ch. 4: Environmental Impact Statements

Text

To the fullest extent possible:
(1) the policies, rules, and statutes of the state shall be interpreted
and administered in accordance with the policies set forth in this
chapter; and
(2) all state agencies shall do the following:
(A) Use a systematic, interdisciplinary approach that will
ensure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and
the environmental design arts in planning and decision making
that may have an impact on the environment.
(B) Identify and develop methods and procedures that will
ensure that unquantified environmental amenities and values
may be given appropriate consideration in decision making
along with economic and technical considerations.
(C) Include in every recommendation or report on proposals for
legislation and other major state actions significantly affecting
the quality of the human environment a detailed statement by
the responsible official on the following:
(i) The environmental impact of the proposed action.
(ii) Any adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided
should the proposal be implemented.
(iii) Alternatives to the proposed action.
(iv) The relationship between local short term uses of the
environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long
term productivity.
(v) Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of
resources that would be involved if the proposed action
should be implemented.
Before making a detailed statement, the responsible state
official shall consult with and obtain the comments of each
state agency that has jurisdiction by law or special expertise
with respect to any environmental impact involved. Copies of
the statement and the comments and views of the appropriate
federal, state, and local agencies that are authorized to develop
and enforce environmental standards shall be made available to
the governor and to the public and must accompany the
proposal through the agency review processes. The board shall
by rule define the actions that constitute a major state action
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
(D) Study, develop, and describe appropriate alternatives to
recommend courses of action in any proposal that involves
unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of available
resources.
(E) Recognize the long range character of environmental
problems and, where consistent with the policy of the state,
lend appropriate support to initiatives, resolutions, and
programs designed to maximize state cooperation in
anticipating and preventing a decline in the quality of the
environment.
(F) Make available to counties, municipalities, institutions, and
individuals advice and information useful in restoring,
maintaining, and enhancing the quality of the environment.
(G) Initiate and use ecological information in the planning and
development of resource oriented projects.
[Pre-1996 Recodification Citation: 13-1-10-3.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.133-2012, SEC.71.