Citation for New Carlisle’s Amazon data center raises environmental concerns

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management ordered Amazon to stop all activity in state waters until it obtains proper clearance to build over wetlands — something the state has already lost about 85% of. The company has since withdrawn its initial application and will need to reapply with revisions.

Wildlife advocates, such as Dan Borrit from the Indiana Wildlife Federation, say the project highlights the need to balance Indiana’s growing tech economy with environmental protections.

“Unfortunately, very few states, and Indiana specifically, aren’t requiring some of these mitigation methods that would make the situation better. The implications of the water usage, the energy usage and the land acquisition have the potential of really significant impacts on our natural environment.”

Amazon told ABC57 that construction hasn’t completely stopped, but contractors are prohibited from working in wetlands. If the company violates the order, IDEM says it will be treated as a willful violation of the Clean Water Act.