Recodification of all rules governing oil and gas is implemented.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announces launch of Next Level Trails program, which dedicates $90 million to connect communities through more hiking, biking and riding trails.
DNR Law Enforcement becomes first such entity from inland/noncoastal state and seventh state overall to be accredited through the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Visit Boating Education & Safety for more information on boating in Indiana.
Gov. Mitch Daniels announces Healthy Rivers INitiative to permanently protect more than 43,000 acres along Wabash River and Sugar Creek in west-central Indiana, and more than 26,000 acres of Muscatatuck River bottomlands in southeast Indiana. (Photo)
Federal Office of Surface Mining recognizes three mine operations as most successful reclamation in a quarter-century of the Surface Mining Law. The Solar Sources, Inc. Sky Point Mine in Lynnville was Gold Award Winner, as best reclamation in the U.S. Its mining and reclamation was overseen by Division of Reclamation.
Division of Law Enforcement's K-9 Resource Protection Program begins with two canine units attending Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission K-9 School.
Two new state parks, Fort Harrison, in Indianapolis, and Charlestown, on the Ohio River, are created as a result of Defense Base Realignment And Closure Act, aka BRAC.
Divisions of State Parks and Reservoir Management merge to form the Division of State Parks & Reservoirs. That name was later shortened to the current Division of State Parks, but the division still manages the recreation at reservoirs built for flood control by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (Photo)
First deer reduction is held at a state park (Brown County), launching division's policies of resource management and restoration, which later expanded to include prescribed fire, invasive-species management and more.
Five fish ladders are dedicated on St. Joseph River between Lake Michigan and Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka. This joint project between Indiana, Michigan and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was 15 years in making, and allows passage around dams for salmon and steelhead trout.
Indiana Heritage Trust (IHT) is established, as is Indiana's first specialty license plate, the Environmental License Plate. IHT's purpose is to acquire and protect land that represents outstanding natural resources and habitats, or has recreational, historical or archaeological significance. (Photo)
Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology expands spongy moth survey to cover entire state and launches Slow the Spread concept of spongy moth management.
Federal Office of Surface Mining makes the Division of Reclamation the primary regulatory authority over coal mining. The division's Abandoned Mine Land program has since used approximately $170 million to reclaim 1,144 eligible sites.
General Assembly establishes Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology to carry out federal-state partnership of Historic Preservation Act. (Museums & Memorials becomes separate division).
State's first survey of historic sites and structures is conducted, and General Assembly authorizes DNR to participate in National Register program, launching what would become Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology. (Photo)
Pine Hills Nature Preserve at Shades State Park becomes Indiana's first state-dedicated nature preserve.
Natural Resources Act passed by General Assembly and signed by Governor Branigan, creating the Department of Natural Resources. The following agencies were included under the DNR umbrella:
Department of Conservation (including a Water Resources Division)
Flood Control and Water Resources Commission
State Soil and Water Conservation Committee
Outdoor Recreation Council
At the creation of the DNR, the Department of Conservation's Water Resources Division merged with the Flood Control and Water Resources Commission.
On May 17, Jennings County turned over a portion of Muscatatuck Valley named Vinegar Mills to the state for use as a state park. Vinegar Mills was later re-named "Muscatatuck" because of the historic significance of that Indian name, meaning "winding waters." A brick house was converted into a small inn, and tents with wooden floors built for additional accommodations. Just 86 acres, this finely forested park became a popular picnic area and stopover between Madison and Indianapolis, but never was developed further. Several years down the road, Muscatatuck was reclassified as a state game farm, then became a county park. Muscatatuck State Park was the first state park that required no financial assistance of any kind.
The Indiana Classified Forest Act set in motion a voluntary program to conserve and protect hundreds of thousands of acres of private forestland.
Governor Goodrich signed into law a bill creating the Department of Conservation. Col. Richard Lieber (Photo), whose efforts over many years culminated in this legislation, was named the first director of the department. It included five divisions:
Richard Lieber began work to procure three areas of Indiana (in Brown County, at Turkey Run and at Indiana Dunes) to become state parks in celebration of the 100 anniversary of Indiana's statehood. Lieber's committee attempted to purchase what is now Turkey Run State Park at an auction conducted by the family, but was out-bid by the Hoosier Veneer (lumber) Company. (Photo)
The Owen County newspaper editor suggested McCormick's Creek to his legislator as a possible state park.
On behalf of the state park committee, Lieber purchased McCormick's Creek State Park (as a celebration of the state's centennial) with his bid of $5,250.
Charles C. Deam was appointed Secretary of the State Board of Forestry. In his first three years, he created a forestry-related curriculum for schoolchildren.
State Entomologist established in through Purdue University. It becomes a state office in 1907 in order to control San Jose scale, which threatened Indiana orchards.
