Ind. Code ch. 14-11-1

in effect

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-1 General powers of department

Sec. 1. The department may do the following: (1) Investigate, compile, and disseminate information and make recommendations concerning the natural resources of Indiana and their conservation, including the following: (A) The drainage and reclamation of land. (B) Flood prevention. (C) Development of water power. (D) Culture and preservation of forests, fish, and game. (E) The preservation of soils. (F) The prevention of the waste of mineral resources. (G) The prevention and methods of control of plant diseases, infections, and pests. (H) The prevention and methods of control of bee diseases, the increased production of honey, and the use of bee appliances. (I) Other questions or subjects that are contained in this title. (2) Cooperate with the appropriate departments of the federal government in conducting topographical and other surveys, experiments, or work of joint interest to the state and the federal government. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-3-1-3.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-2 Cooperation with public or private entities or individuals

Sec. 2. The department may cooperate with: (1) a public or private institution; or (2) individuals, societies, or associations of individuals; in making scientific investigations, compiling reports, or otherwise in the manner and to the extent that the commission considers necessary or advantageous in carrying out the purposes of this title. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-3-1-4.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-3 Powers regarding oaths and subpoenas

Sec. 3. (a) A member of the commission or a division director may do the following: (1) Administer oaths and certify to official acts. (2) Require information from any person for purposes of this title. (3) Issue subpoenas. (4) Require the attendance of witnesses. (5) Examine witnesses under oath. (b) If a person fails to comply with an order issued under this chapter or under IC 14-3-1 (before its repeal), the circuit court, superior court, or probate court having jurisdiction over the person shall, on request, require compliance with the order. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-3-1-5.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.84-2016, SEC.69; P.L.92-2025, SEC.20.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-4 Preparation and dissemination of literature and information

Sec. 4. (a) The commission may have prepared the technical and nontechnical literature and information relating to matters within the field of work of the department or a division of the department that the commission considers suitable and worthy of publication. The commission shall disseminate the literature and information through the public press and otherwise. The commission may, with the approval of the governor, publish the literature and information in bulletin form. (b) The literature and information shall be paid for out of money appropriated for the expenses of the department. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-3-1-7.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-5 Delegation of management and operation of property

Sec. 5. The department may, by contract, delegate the management and operation of any of the property held and managed by the department to an organization under the terms the department considers advisable. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-6-16-5.] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-6 Enforcement powers

Sec. 6. The department shall recommend and secure the enforcement of laws for the conservation and development of the natural resources of Indiana. [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-3-1-11(a).] As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-7 Payment by credit card

Sec. 7. (a) As used in this section, "credit card" includes a bank card, debit card, charge card, prepaid card, or other similar method of payment. (b) In addition to other methods of payment allowed by law, the department may accept payment by credit card for licenses, fees, or other amounts due the department. (c) The department may enter into appropriate agreements with banks or other organizations authorized to do business in Indiana to enable the department to accept payment by credit card. (d) The department may recognize net amounts remitted by the bank or other organization as deposit in full of amounts due the department. (e) The department may pay any applicable credit card service charge or fee. As added by P.L.95-1998, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-8 Limitation; sale or lease of water rights; Charlestown water wells

Sec. 8. The department of natural resources may not sell, lease, exchange, or transfer property or an interest in a property to another person for the purpose of allowing the selling of water out of Indiana from Charlestown Water Wells located on park property without the prior approval of River Ridge Development Authority. As added by P.L.234-2007, SEC.293.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-9 Flood control permit process; coordination with other state agencies

Sec. 9. The department shall coordinate with the department of environmental management and other state agencies to simplify the state permitting process with respect to the flood control activities of the Kankakee River basin and Yellow River basin development commission under IC 14-13-9. The department and other agencies shall assist each other in: (1) reducing the number of applications and other interactions required to obtain necessary permits; and (2) avoiding imposing conflicting requirements upon the commission in issuing permits to the commission. As added by P.L.282-2019, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 14-11-1-10 Coordinating with local authorities

Sec. 10. The department shall coordinate with local authorities (as defined in IC 36-7-4-1109) for purposes of the permit process described in IC 36-1-29-16. As added by P.L.191-2023, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.202-2025, SEC.2.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/14Fetched: 10/17/2026