Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) must ensure that no one—based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability—is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations as listed below:

Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 USC 2000d), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 USC 1681), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794), Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 USC 6101), Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (33 USC 1251), Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12132), and all regulations related to these Acts; and all other applicable Federal non-discrimination laws.

Anyone who believes that the IDEM has discriminated against someone based on race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, age, or disability; that the IDEM has engaged in intimidation or retaliation prohibited by the U.S. EPA's non-discrimination regulation, or who has questions about this notice may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator at:

Non-Discrimination Coordinator:

Karla Frownfelter
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Indiana Government Center North
100 N Senate Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone: (800)-451-6027 Option 3
Email: info@idem.in.gov

Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Procedure for Non-Employee Discrimination Complaints Procedure Overview

This document outlines complaint procedures relating to the IDEM’s provision of programs, services, and activities. The IDEM’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator shall be responsible for the coordination and oversight of said procedures. The Non-Discrimination Coordinator will receive and review complaints, communicate with complainants, investigate or arrange for the investigation of complaints, issue letters and notices, and perform other actions necessary to fulfill IDEM’s obligations under nondiscrimination statutes.

Any individual who files a complaint or testifies, assists, or participates in a non-discrimination investigation, proceeding, or hearing may not be intimidated or retaliated against by the IDEM for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege guaranteed by nondiscrimination laws.

IDEM’s procedures for non-employee discrimination complaints and retaliation complaints are as follows:

1. Any person who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination may file a written complaint with the IDEM’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator. IDEM requires complaints be filed within ninety (90) calendar days of the last alleged incident. Complainants also have the right to file a written complaint directly to the appropriate Federal agency or the Indiana Civil Rights Commission; however, they must do so within one-hundred eighty (180) calendar days of the last alleged incident.
2. The complainant may submit a written statement to the Non-Discrimination Coordinator that contains all the information identified in Section 3 below. If the complainant is unable to submit a written complaint, the IDEM Non-Discrimination Coordinator should be contacted. IDEM will make reasonable accommodations in its policies and procedures, which are necessary to allow a person with limited English proficiency or disabilities full access to the complaint filing and investigative process.
3. The complaint must include the following information:
   1. Name, address, and telephone number of the complainant.
   2. The basis of the alleged discrimination (i.e., race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability).
   3. The date or dates on which the alleged discriminatory event or events occurred.
   4. Description of the alleged incident, including what led complainant to feel discrimination was a factor.
   5. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of persons who may have knowledge of the event.
   6. If a complaint has been filed with another agency or court, the agency or court where it was filed and contact name.
   7. Complainant's signature and date.
4. The complaint must be delivered to the Non-Discrimination Coordinator:

   Karla Frownfelter
   Indiana Department of Environmental Management
   Indiana Government Center North
   100 N Senate Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204

   Phone: (800)-451-6027 Option 3
   Email: info@idem.in.gov

5. Once a complaint is filed, an acknowledgement letter will be issued to the complainant within five (5) business days.
6. IDEM’s Office of Legal Counsel will review the complaint to determine whether IDEM has jurisdiction to investigate the issues presented. If IDEM does have jurisdiction, the complainant will be issued an acceptance letter for the complaint. If it is determined that IDEM does not have jurisdiction, the complainant will be issued a no jurisdiction letter.
7. If more information is needed to resolve the case, the Non-Discrimination Coordinator may contact the complainant. The complainant has thirty (30) days to send the requested information to the Non-Discrimination Coordinator assigned to the case.
8. If the IDEM requests additional information and the Non-Discrimination Coordinator is not contacted or does not receive the additional information within thirty (30) days, the IDEM may administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.
9. An appropriate, prompt, and impartial investigation of allegations filed will be conducted, and a preponderance of the evidence standard will be applied during the investigation of the complaint. The IDEM has up to one-hundred eighty (180) days from an acceptance to investigate and make a determination. After the IDEM’s investigation is complete, one of two letters will be issued to the complainant:
   1. A closure letter
   2. A letter of finding (LOF)
10. A closure letter summarizes the allegations, states that there was not a finding of violation, and states that the case will be closed. A LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, states what type of violation was found to have occurred, and explains what actions, if any, will be taken.

These procedures do not limit or deny the complainant’s right to file a formal complaint with an outside enforcement agency. In addition to the procedures above, any person who feels that he/she has been discriminated against with respect to a IDEM program or activity may contact the appropriate federal or State agency listed below:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of External Civil Rights Compliance
Mail Code 2310A
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460

Indiana Civil Rights Commission
100 North Senate Avenue, Room N300
Indianapolis, IN 46204