IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.


Mobile Site RSS Feeds

NRC > Rules > Current Rule Proposals Proposed Rules

Subscribe for e-mail updates

A "rule" is the whole or any part of a state agency statement of general applicability that: (1) has or is designated to have the effect of law; and (2) implements, interprets, or prescribes: (A) law or policy; or (B) the organization, procedure, or practice requirements of the state agency. (IC 4-22-2-3)

Public Comment on Proposed Rule Amendments

The Natural Resources Commission adopted nonrule policy document, Information Bulletin #55. The primary purpose of this bulletin is to encourage consistency, transparency and efficiency in the development of hearing officer reports by employees of the Division of Hearings to the Natural Resources Commission. Information Bulletin #55 clarifies that citizens must identify themselves when filing comments in order for those comments to be included in a report or to be considered by a hearing officer in an analysis.

Proposed Rules Open for Public Comment

The Commission's Division of Hearings uses an unofficial checklist to assist with rule adoptions.  An abbreviated form of the checklist is included as an informal reference.

NOTE 1: The link following each rule proposal entitled "Comment on Proposed Rule"  will take you to the comment form page; however, this form does not allow attachments.  If you wish to supplement your comment, please forward attachments to nrcrules@nrc.in.gov.  Include the corresponding rule title (as listed below) in your email's subject line.

NOTE 2: Personal, contact and any other information you provide on this comment form or in an attachment will be provided to the Natural Resources Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, and will be publicly disclosed and searchable on the Internet and in a paper docket.

  • Aerators on Public Freshwater Lakes (LSA #09-806) Amends 312 IAC 11 governing public freshwater lakes to define and establish standards for a general license to place an aerator [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]
  • Firearms - Consolidated DNR Property Use (LSA #09-470) Amends 312 IAC 8-2-3 governing the use of firearms, hunting, and trapping on DNR properties.  use of alternative targets is uathorized at supervised shooting ranges, if the Department of Natural Resources determines the use would not pose a hazard to public safety.  A possible ambiguity, which was occasioned by recent rule modifications to standards for the possession of firearms, is resolved regarding discharge of firearms. [COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED]
  • Fish Attractors on DNR Property (LSA #09-921) Adds 312 IAC 8-2-4.5 to require a license from a property manager before the placement of a fish attractor on a DNR property. Establishes standards for license review. [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]
  • Fish and Wildlife: Wild Animals, Mammals and Birds (LSA #09-479) (2nd Technical Rule Package) This proposal is the second package of proposed rule amendments making technical changes to rules governing fish wildlife: definitions, restrictions and standards governing wild animals, mammals (except deer), and birds. The rule amendments reorder language for improved clarity, simplicity, and continuity. [COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED]
  • Fish and Wildlife: Fish, Reptiles, Permits (LSA #09-616) (3rd Technical Rule Package) Amends 312 IAC 9-5, 312 IAC 9-6, 312 IAC 9-7, 312 IAC 9-8, 312 IAC 9-9, 312 IAC 9-10 and 312 IAC 9-11, which govern definitions, restrictions, standards, licensure and permits applicable to reptiles, amphibians, sport fishing, commerical fishing, and invertegrates to modify and reorder language for improved clarity, simplicity, and continuity [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]
  • Fishing Tournaments (LSA # Not Yet Assigned) Amends 312 IAC 2-4 that governs organized activities and tournaments on designated public waters. [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]
  • Game Breeder Licenses (LSA #09-486)  Amends 312 IAC 9-10-4 governing game breeder licenses to clarify requirements for the housing and sale of wild animals possessed under the license, including white-tailed deer. [COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED]  
  • Historic Preservation - Cemetery Activities (LSA # Not Yet Assigned) Amends 312 IAC 22.5-1-2, which defines "cemetery" for certain historic preservation purposes.  Adds 312 IAC 22.5-3 to govern licenses for activities in cemeteries to probe for fallen grave memorials, to recover grave memorials, and to restor them. [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]
  • Historic Preservation - Structure Alteration (LSA #10-42) Adds 312 IAC 20-4 to govern the alteration, demolition, or removal of historic sites and historic structures by a project funded, in whole or in part, by the state of Indiana [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]
  • Public Freshwater Lake Pier Amendments (LSA #09-856) Amends 312 IAC 11 governing the placement of structures on public freshwater lakes to provide new standards pertaining to the placement of group piers.  Incorporates by reference a nonrule policy document, which assists with the identification of riparian zones, for use as guidance in performing the functions of IC 14-26-2 (sometimes called the “Lakes Preservation Act”).  Requires written approval, and not mere acquiescence, from a riparian owner for a person who is not a riparian owner to place a structure.  Authorizes parties to elect, during a prehearing conference or similar stage of a proceeding, to opt out of mediation.  Makes technical and clerical changes. [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]
  • Ruffed Grouse & Wild Turkey Seasons (LSA # Not Yet Assigned) Amends 312 IAC 9-4-10 by reducing the length of the ruffed grouse hunting season on public land.  Amends 312 IAc 9-4-11 by modifying the dates of the fall season for hunting wild turkeys, adding counties where wild turkeys may be hunted during the fall season, and adding a hunter orange requirement for hunting during the fall season that coincides with deer muzzleloader season [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]
  • Surface Water Emergencies (LSA #09-876) Adds 312 IAC 11.5 to govern the emergency regulaton of surface water rights on freshwater lakes that contain at least ten acres.  Repeals 312 IAC 11-6, which currently governs this subject.  Provides that the director of the division of water may file with the Natural Resources Commission a complaint for a notice of violation under IC 14-10-2-6 [COMMENT ON PROPOSED RULE]

Petition for Rule Change

The Commission has developed a process by which a person may petition for a rule change for rules within the Commission's jurisdiction. Included is any rule proposal submitted by an individual, a corporation, an association, a local unit of government, another state agency, a federal agency, or another person. The person may seek the adoption of a new rule, an amended rule, a recodified rule, a rule repeal or a similar action with respect to a nonrule policy document.