By: Susie
On September 16, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) issued an Isolated Wetland Individual Permit (IWIP) for the Project Zodiac data center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This wetland permit was the last needed to advance Phase II of the project. Despite calls for a public hearing, IDEM ultimately decided not to hold one. In an email statement, IDEM’s communication director, Allen Carter, provided the following reasoning on behalf on the agency:
“IDEM values public participation during the permitting process. Public comment periods provide important opportunities for community members to learn about proposed actions and share input. However, comments received during a public proceeding, such as a meeting or hearing, do not carry more weight than written correspondence submitted during the designated public comment period.
While public interest is one factor IDEM considers when evaluating whether to hold a public meeting or hearing, determinations are not based on volume of requests alone. Meetings and hearings are typically hosted when the nature of public questions suggests a need for clarification or dialogue. In this case, the tenor of the comments received did not warrant a public hearing, as the majority of correspondence focused on concerns outside the scope of IDEM’s regulatory authority for this permit.
IDEM issues permits based on an applicant’s ability to comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, including Indiana’s State Regulated Wetland Law. The agency does not have the legal authority to approve or deny a permit based on public opinion or discretionary factors beyond these regulations.
Where comments raise potential regulatory concerns, IDEM addresses them before making a final permit decision.
We appreciate the public’s engagement and remain committed to transparency and regulatory integrity throughout the permitting process.“
A public hearing is a critical step in providing a platform for community engagement, and HEC is disappointed in IDEM’s decision not to hold a public hearing. In addition, HEC brought up several regulatory concerns which were not addressed prior to the permit being issued. You can view IDEM’s response to HEC’s comments below, after the permit was issued.
September 15, 2025 — The Google data center in Fort Wayne, also known as Project Zodiac, is being built on over 1,400 acres of land. Roughly 33 acres, or 2 percent of that land, is wetlands. But due to fragmented permitting approaches, their current Isolated Wetland Permit does not truly capture the full scale of impacts. HEC submitted public comments to IDEM with the following concerns:
- Wetlands are being lost without effective replacements.
- The alternative analysis lacks the thoughtful consideration of total wetland avoidance.
- The Comprehensive Plan for Allen County and City of Fort Wayne recommends wetland preservation.
Read HEC’s full comments below.
Categories: Public Comments