Google's Wetland Expansion Plans Spark Concerns in Indiana
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) hosted a public hearing regarding Google's application for a state wetland individual permit. The data center under construction on Adams Center Road in southeast Fort Wayne continues to expand its development and submitted another application two weeks ago, requesting an additional 2.13 acres of protected wetlands.
Google plans to fill about 2.13 acres of forested wetland with clean soil as part of the expansion. The project also impacts about 0.93 acres of wetlands that do not require a state permit under Indiana law.
IDEM requires applicants to purchase mitigation credits to replace or relocate the wetlands the project impacts if it affects a protected wetland. Google plans to offset the impacts by purchasing 4.26 acres of forested wetland credits from the Openings Mitigation Bank in Fort Wayne.