Evansville, A Clean City???
Written by John Blair
SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
Recently, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management announced they had designated Evansville as a “Clean City.” I applaud the promises Evansville made to IDEM to “achieve” this designation since they are all clearly needed. However, it should be noted that this designation is not because we are actually “clean,” only that we intend to make an effort to be. As usual for IDEM, the criteria for this award are minimalist, completely ignoring way too many dirty streets and poor air quality Evansville and the region regularly exhibit.
In July, Indiana was found to be 49th out of 50 in quality of life. In the past, Hoosiers have notoriously had really high levels of infant mortality, toxic emissions and 100% of our streams and likes carry the dubious designation of Fish Consumption Advisories. Those FCAs warn women of child bearing age to limit their consumption of Indiana caught fish to one quarter pounder a month, lest they cause their yet to be born to have developmental disabilities due to mercury contamination.
Not long ago, Evansville was near the top of the list of “Obese” cities and last month the Indiana Lottery introduced “Rick, from Evansville” as a buffoon, snack eating competitor “going for the Gold” in the Hoosier Lottery as he cannonballs his entrance into a swim race.
Just so you know, Evansville does have new energy. Its new administration will hopefully address serious problems that impact our health. Improved quality of life will actually be something to celebrate instead of ridicule. But until our citizens finally recognize they shouldn’t throw their trash on our streets or in their neighbor’s yards and we are no longer forced to breathe fouled air, any claims of being “clean” are premature.
Here are the criteria listed on IDEM’s website as to how a community becomes a “clean” city. Leave it to IDEM to only require the completion of forms to satisfy their requirements just as they do with all the toxic pollution they permit:
Steps to Become a Clean Community:
1. Access and complete the application form.
2. Just so you know, the signature on the application must be that of the highest-ranking public official for the municipality (for example: mayor, county commissioner, etc.).
3. Attach the completed form to an email to: clean@idem.in.gov with “Application for Clean Community Program” in the subject line.
4. You will receive a confirmation that you’ve received your application for processing.
5. As with all IDEM recognition programs, successful applicants must have a positive environmental compliance history. This will be determined through an IDEM environmental compliance history check process.
6. Upon successfully meeting the requirements of environmental compliance, you will be contacted by the Clean Community program manager to fill out a Clean Team & Project Information Sheet.
7. The sheet will identify your population, the number of projects required based on that population, and the name of the projects that you are choosing from the list of Clean Community pre-approved projects. This project list will be provided to you by the Clean Community program manager.
8. Once your projects are chosen, the Clean Community program manager will provide you with specific project descriptions that outline exactly what needs to be submitted to qualify for Clean Community program requirements.
9. Lastly, you will identify your Clean Team members, a group of people in the community who will help plan and implement your sustainability efforts. It is recommended that your Clean Team be comprised of people from multiple departments and areas of expertise, both within the municipality, businesses, or through citizen involvement.
10. Based upon the review of the items above, you will be issued either a Welcome or Denial Letter. A denial will explain areas of improvement needed to qualify for entry into the program.
11. Work at your own pace to complete your municipality’s chosen projects.
12. A simple Annual Report is required that keeps the Clean Community program manager informed of your progress.
13. Attendance by at least one representative of your Clean Team at the Clean Community Annual Meeting is also required.
Questions or Interest in Joining? Please contact the Clean Community program manager.
Everyday I have to pick up trash in front of my house that is generated from nearby gas stations .
But what worries me the most , is the accumulation of unknown particles that mysteriously appear on my vehicles . The vehicles have to be hand washed to remove the mysterious build up.
Could this be from the plastic company that is less than a mile southwest of me ?
I have been in and around Evansville for over 50 years and it is one of the dirtiest places that is not in a 3rd world country. John’s dedication to calling out environmental issues has been admirable, but he has got to be frustrated that nothing ever really takes hold. That award is a joke. A kindergarten class could win by promising not to litter.
House’s literally falling down all over town trash everywhere things keep getting worse……..Agree the award and local government is a JOKE…….
Take a look at the eastern gateway into Jimtown (Virginia St. viaduct ) !
Tall weeds everywhere and enough trash to fill a large dumpster .
IDEM should drive this route when visiting Evansville .
Agree check out w Florida park st 7th av grove st it is a third world shit hole
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