CHAPTER 8. WATER AND GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES RESEARCH - Indiana Statutes

IC 14-25-8
     Chapter 8. Water and Geological Resources Research

IC 14-25-8-1
Legislative findings; research powers
     Sec. 1. (a) The continuing growth of the population and economy impose ever increasing demands upon the essentially fixed water resources of Indiana. It is necessary that the development, use, and management of these resources be based upon a sound and thorough knowledge and understanding of the location, extent, capabilities, limitations, and characteristics of the basic water resources of Indiana. The need for additional knowledge is urgent in areas such as the following:
        (1) Mapping of the location and availability of ground water.
        (2) The time of travel of water from point to point on the major streams.
        (3) The Indiana climatic factors affecting evaporation losses from impoundments.
        (4) The meandering characteristics of alluvial streams.
        (5) The drainage areas of streams at selected points.
    (b) To accomplish the objectives described in subsection (a), the department of environmental management and the department may conduct applied research in their respective areas of jurisdiction for the purpose of securing the scientific and technical data and information necessary for the solution of problems involving the wise beneficial development, use, and management of the water resources of Indiana. The research shall be accomplished through the use of the money that is made available for these purposes.
    (c) The department of environmental management and the department may conduct research under this section:
        (1) independently; or
        (2) in cooperation with agencies of the state or of the United States.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.18.

IC 14-25-8-2
Duties of department
     Sec. 2. (a) The department shall do the following:
        (1) Continue the geological, scientific, and topographical survey of Indiana and the work of discovering, developing, and preserving Indiana's natural resources.
        (2) Collect and disseminate information concerning the agricultural, mining, and manufacturing advantages of Indiana and give special attention to the following:
            (A) The discovery of minerals, stone, clay, or other natural substances useful in agriculture, road making, manufacture, or the mechanical arts.
            (B) The prevention of waste of minerals and mineral products and coal.
    (b) The commission:         (1) has charge of; and
        (2) shall, as practicable, periodically add specimens to;
the state geological cabinet, museums, apparatus, and library.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.18.

IC 14-25-8-3
Topographical survey map
     Sec. 3. (a) The department may contract and cooperate with the United States Geological Survey or any other appropriate federal agency in the preparation and completion of a topographical survey map of Indiana. For the purpose of making the survey provided in this section:
        (1) the department may use any means available to complete the work, including base control and aerial photography; and
        (2) the persons employed in making the survey may enter upon any property within Indiana if the entry does not unreasonably interfere with private rights.
    (b) There is appropriated out of any money in the state general fund not otherwise appropriated fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) annually to be expended in carrying on the work provided for in this section. However, the department may not expend more annually for the work than the United States government expends in carrying on the cooperative project with regard to Indiana. The money appropriated is available to reimburse the United States Geological Survey for Indiana's share of the costs of the topographic mapping, upon the presentation of certified bills for the expenses that are initially incurred by the United States Geological Survey or other cooperative agency.
    (c) Money accruing to the use of the department under this section constitutes a revolving fund for the sole use of topographic mapping of Indiana. Money in the fund does not revert to the state general fund at the close of a state fiscal year until:
        (1) the topographic mapping of Indiana has been completed; and
        (2) obsolete or inadequate maps have been revised or remapped.
At the conclusion of the work the unexpended money in the fund reverts to the state general fund.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.18.