Statewide Initiatives Mesozoic eras. The bedrock under San Pierre and Railroad Township consists of Antrim Shale. Water is generally at a shallow depth in Starke County, especially in low-lying areas, at less than 25 feet below the surface. This contributes to drainage problems in these areas. There is a high potential for ground water contamination in the county due to the high water table and low relief. Also, the surficial materials are relatively coarse and permeable. The floodplains are especially susceptible to contamination due to their permeability and because surface water in floodplain depressions is in direct hydraulic contact with ground water. However, a sand and gravel
aquifer is located beneath a clayey subsurface till layer and is generally used for water supply. The subsurface till layer protects the water supply from fluctuations due to periods of heavy precipitation or drought and from surface contamination. Wells that are not below the subsurface till layer but instead are in the highly permeable, coarse surficial materials are much more susceptible to failure from drought conditions and to surface contamination. Due to the permeability and shallow water table in most of Starke County, the area is not considered suited for sanitary landfills. The ground water would be highly susceptible to contamination from the landfill leachate.
INDOT is planning a long-term initiative, Next Moves, which will create an underground network of utility corridors that can assist Indiana’s economic growth. These proposed underground pipelines will run underneath existing and former railroad beds, underneath Interstate and US highways, underneath Indiana trail systems, and will carry in separate pipelines: ethanol, fresh water, waste water and storm water, slurry, animal waste, and internet communication lines. A map of underground gas and oil pipelines already in place in Indiana is shown below. Indiana’s Department of Agriculture vision statement suggests: “Double hog production
by adopting breakthrough technologies in environmental and animal welfare management.” Pork production in the state is increasing given this encouragement. In addition, Indiana is the fastest growing dairy producing state in the nation. In addition to adding jobs in rural Indiana and helping rural economies, there are and will continue to be environmental challenges associated with rapid livestock production expansions. With just over 6 million residents and nearly that many hogs already in Indiana, any livestock expansion must be done thoughtfully. A map of the current locations of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) is shown below.
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