Will sending water to the LEAP district hurt Eagle Creek Park? – Mirror Indy

Report on the Central Indiana Water Supply Project and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction and Executive Summary

A significant water infrastructure project is underway in Central Indiana, initiated by Citizens Energy Group to supply Lebanon Utilities and the LEAP Research and Innovation District. This report analyzes the project’s scope, stakeholder concerns, and environmental implications, with a specific focus on its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project highlights a critical tension between economic development objectives (SDG 8, SDG 9) and environmental stewardship commitments, particularly concerning water resource management (SDG 6), biodiversity (SDG 15), and sustainable communities (SDG 11).

2.0 Project Overview: The LEAP District Water Supply Plan

Citizens Energy Group has entered into an agreement to provide a substantial water supply to the 9,000-acre LEAP Research and Innovation District in Boone County, a hub for water-intensive industries such as medicine and microchip manufacturing. This initiative is central to achieving regional economic growth and industrial innovation, aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

2.1 Project Scope and Phasing

• Objective: To increase Citizens Energy’s water distribution capacity from 256 million to 300 million gallons per day.
• Infrastructure: The project requires over $500 million in funding for more than a dozen projects, including the construction of 52 miles of water pipelines and upgrades to the T.W. Moses Water Treatment Plant.
• Water Volume: The supply to Lebanon Utilities will be phased over six years, concluding in 2032.
  1. Years 1-2: Up to 2 million gallons per day.
  2. By Year 3: Increasing to 10 million gallons per day.
  3. By Year 6 (2032): Up to 25 million gallons per day.
• Future Demand: The LEAP district’s total projected water requirement is estimated at 100 million gallons per day upon full occupancy.

2.2 Water Sources and Management

The project will draw water from a network of ten surface water sources, including four primary reservoirs. A key source is the Eagle Creek Reservoir. Citizens Energy states that water will be drawn from the totality of its system to prevent deleterious impacts on any single source, a strategy intended to support SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through integrated water resources management.

3.0 Environmental and Community Concerns: A Challenge to Sustainability

Local stakeholders, particularly the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee, have raised significant concerns about the project’s potential impact on the Eagle Creek Park ecosystem. These concerns directly challenge the project’s alignment with several SDGs.

3.1 SDG 15: Life on Land

Eagle Creek Park is a critical habitat for hundreds of species, including state-endangered birds. The health of this ecosystem is intrinsically linked to the water levels of the Eagle Creek Reservoir.

• Biodiversity Risk: Excessive water withdrawal, especially during drought-like conditions exacerbated by climate change, could degrade habitats, reduce food availability for wildlife, and threaten breeding populations.
• Ecosystem Integrity: Stakeholders warn that altering the reservoir’s water levels could have cascading negative effects on the entire ecosystem, including fishing, boating, and the overall ecological balance, undermining efforts to halt biodiversity loss as outlined in SDG 15.

3.2 SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Concerns have been raised regarding the sustainable management of the Eagle Creek Reservoir, a vital community asset that attracts over 1.3 million visitors annually.

• Reservoir Health: There is a discrepancy between Citizens Energy’s stated reservoir capacity (8 billion gallons) and the committee’s estimate (5.5 billion gallons). The reservoir is currently at a 10-year low, raising questions about its ability to sustain increased withdrawals.
• Lack of Transparency: The Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee has requested more specific data from Citizens Energy regarding withdrawal amounts and contingency plans for low water levels. This lack of detailed information hinders effective multi-stakeholder partnerships, a key component of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Public Green Space: The potential degradation of the park and reservoir threatens a crucial green space that contributes to community well-being, a core tenet of SDG 11.

4.0 Legislative and Governance Context

The project operates within a complex legislative framework. A new state law, Senate Bill 4, was passed to regulate large-scale water transfers between basins. However, the Citizens-Lebanon deal was signed before the law took effect and is therefore exempt from its provisions. This exemption highlights a governance challenge in balancing long-term sustainable water management with pre-existing contractual obligations. State officials have acknowledged community concerns and have committed to monitoring the project’s impact, reflecting an ongoing effort to ensure responsible governance.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article’s central theme is the management and allocation of freshwater resources. It discusses a “water deal” to provide “up to 25 million gallons of water per day” for industrial use by drawing from the Eagle Creek Reservoir and other sources. This directly relates to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The potential environmental impact on Eagle Creek Park is a primary concern. The article highlights that excessive water withdrawal could “harm or kill the animals and plants that depend on it” and affect habitats for “hundreds of species,” including state-endangered birds. This connects to protecting terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article describes a large-scale industrial development, the “9,000-acre LEAP Research and Innovation District,” which requires significant infrastructure, including “52 miles of water pipelines” and an upgraded water treatment plant. The project aims to attract “water-intensive” businesses like medicine foundries and microchip manufacturers, linking directly to industrialization and infrastructure development.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Eagle Creek Park is presented as a vital public green space for the community, receiving “more than 1.3 million visitors every year.” The conflict between the park’s preservation and the industrial water supply plan touches upon the goal of providing access to safe and inclusive green spaces and ensuring sustainable urban planning.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article explicitly mentions that “Climate change effects, such as year-round drought-like conditions, have contributed to a 3-billion bird decline in North America.” This links the local environmental pressures on the reservoir and its biodiversity to broader climate-related hazards, highlighting the need for resilience.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The narrative revolves around the interactions and conflicts between different stakeholders: a private utility (Citizens Energy Group), a civil society group (Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee), and government bodies. The committee’s demand for more information and transparency reflects the need for effective public-private and civil society partnerships for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.4: “By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.” The plan to withdraw millions of gallons of water daily for “water-intensive” industries directly questions the sustainability of these withdrawals, especially when the reservoir is at a 10-year low.
   • Target 6.5: “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels.” The conflict between different counties (Tippecanoe County’s ban on water exports) and the multi-source plan by Citizens Energy highlights the challenge and necessity of integrated water management across different jurisdictions.
   • Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems.” The core concern of the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee is the protection of the reservoir’s ecosystem from the potential negative impacts of increased water withdrawal.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.” The article focuses on the conservation of Eagle Creek Park and its reservoir, an inland freshwater ecosystem whose sustainable use is being debated.
   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and… protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The potential harm to the habitat of “state-endangered birds such as the cerulean warbler, Virginia rail and the northern harrier” is a key issue raised.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development.” The project involves building extensive water pipelines and upgrading treatment plants. However, its sustainability is questioned by local advocates, who are concerned about the environmental impact on the reservoir.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.” The article emphasizes the park’s importance as a public space for over a million annual visitors, and the potential degradation of this space is a central point of conflict.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.” The lack of transparency and communication between Citizens Energy and the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee, who state “the company hasn’t revealed much about how the reservoir might be affected,” demonstrates a challenge in achieving an effective partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 6 (Water Management):
   • Volume of water withdrawal: The article specifies the planned withdrawal amounts, such as “up to 25 million gallons of water per day” for the LEAP district and an additional “1-3 million more gallons of water per day” from the reservoir. This is a direct measure of water extraction.
   • Level of water stress: The article states the reservoir level is “about 12 feet below normal,” which is the “lowest level it’s been in the last 10 years.” This measurement serves as a direct indicator of water stress on the ecosystem (Indicator 6.4.2).
2. For SDG 15 (Life on Land):
   • Status of threatened species: The article names specific “state-endangered birds” (cerulean warbler, Virginia rail, northern harrier). Monitoring the populations of these species within the park would be a key indicator of ecosystem health and progress towards Target 15.5.
   • Biodiversity count: The text mentions “hundreds of species of animals and plants” in the park. Regular biodiversity surveys could track changes over time as a result of the water project.
3. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities):
   • Public access and use of green space: The article quantifies the park’s usage at “more than 1.3 million visitors every year.” Tracking this number could indicate changes in the park’s appeal and accessibility resulting from environmental changes.
4. For SDG 9 (Industry and Infrastructure):
   • Water-use in industry: The article notes the total expected water demand for the LEAP district is “100 million gallons” per day. Measuring the actual water consumption against the economic output of the district would be an indicator of water-use efficiency.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mirrorindy.org