FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) decided to approve a permit that will allow the developers of the Google Data Center in Fort Wayne to fill more protected wetlands.
IDEM granted the proposal filed by the developers of the data center, Hatchworks, LLC, on September 10, allowing an additional 2.13 acres of protected wetlands to be filled and the construction of three additional buildings. Hatchworks, LLC must purchase 4.26 acres of forested wetland mitigation credits to replace or relocate the wetlands the project impacts.
The approval lists several conditions that developers must comply with, including carrying out their mitigation plan as described in their application and providing proof of purchase for the wetland credits within the next year. Developers must use erosion and sediment control measures to minimize further disruption to wetlands and streams. Developers must not clear trees within the project boundaries from April through September to protect the federally endangered Indiana Bat and the federally threatened Northern Long-Eared Bat unless they obtain a special waiver…