Google Data Center Project Sparks Wetland Destruction Fears

Fort Wayne, Indiana residents may soon see over four acres of federally protected wetland paved over to make way for Google's $2 billion hyperscale data center project, 'Project Zodiac.'

The land in question is a 4.26-acre forested wetland that Hatchworks LLC, a data center developer for the tech giant, wants to purchase. Of this, about 2.13 acres would be paved over to build three new buildings and a labyrinth of waste water pipes and electrical infrastructure.

Hatchworks claims it's impossible to avoid impacting the marshland, citing constraints on meeting the project's purpose and avoiding water resources. The proposal will go to a virtual public hearing before being approved, with an anticipated start date of September 14.