Washington Indiana Sparkles as newest CLEAN community

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The City of Washington is ringing in 2010 with a new designation. Washington is the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's (IDEM's) newest "CLEAN" community.

IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly presented a plaque and commemorative road sign to Mayor Larry Haag to officially induct Washington into the CLEAN (Comprehensive Local Environmental Action Network) Community Challenge at the Washington Mayor's Office today.

CLEAN is a voluntary recognition program for local Indiana government entities that make significant commitments to environmental management. CLEAN helps communities take steps to plan, develop and implement a Quality of Life Plan, which focuses on reducing the potential environmental impacts associated with municipal operations.

"Washington's commitment to environmental stewardship is a shining example for other communities to follow," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "I applaud the entire community for its good work in protecting Hoosiers and our environment." 

As part of the CLEAN Community Challenge, Washington has committed to achieving several environmental goals over the next three years. By December 2010, the city has committed to reducing electricity usage by 10 percent; by September 2012, the city has committed to completing a feasibility study to reduce the amount of winter road chemicals used, increasing public usage of mulch and compost by 20 percent, reducing fuel consumption by 30 percent, and increasing the amount of recyclables collected by 20 percent.

"Creating a CLEAN community relies on dedicated leadership, setting goals, and a willing and supportive citizenry who will work together to achieve success," said Mayor Haag.  "Here in the City of Washington we have committed ourselves to providing a safe, clean and healthy community to improve our quality of life for every citizen and to make sound economic and environmental decisions that will impact us today and in the future."

The city has further demonstrated its commitment to the environment by proposing and gaining approval of the most environmentally-friendly combined sewer overflow (CSO) project in the State of Indiana to date. Storm water control has been a major aspect of the new system, limiting the flow of precipitation into the combined sewer system while providing improved aesthetics to the area, such as retrofitting existing retention basins. Additionally, a constructed wetland will be integrated into the Washington trail system, allowing for the natural treatment of storm water. Wetlands are beneficial to the environment because they collect and release water slowly, protecting areas from flooding due to heavy rains.

The Indiana CLEAN Community Challenge is administered by IDEM in partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Finance Authority. Washington joins 11 other communities participating in the CLEAN program: the cities of Crown Point, Indianapolis, La Porte, Lawrence, Michigan City, Portage, Richmond, Tell City, Valparaiso and the Towns of Brownstown and Fishers.