IMS to Enclose Dry Run Creek

(posted Aug 3)

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources' July 25 approval allows the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to enclose Dry Run Creek within the track. The surcharge from any of the pipes will remain on IMS property. The permit is valid for two years.

The approval was based on nine conditions that included items such as erosion control keeping the floodway clear of debris. In what was called an unusual condition by Larrisa Heller of DNR's technical services, the governmental agency required $25,000 in financial aid for future enclosures of the waterway as part of the Speedway Redevelopment plans south of the Speedway.

She said the condition "stemmed from a request from Fish & Wildlife to mitigate the stream enclosure at 2:1 ratio. A mitigation plan was developed for the site, but had a mitigation ratio of 1:1." According to Heller, the ratio represents linear feet, "so for every foot of enclosure Fish & Wildlife may request two feet of mitigation along the same stream or a different stream within the same 14-digit hydrologic unit."

Heller said no future plans have been submitted for enclosure outside of the track.