Residents raise water-quality and drainage concerns over Amazon-area wetlands review; county says formal permit review ongoing

Residents and local landowners pressed the St. Joseph County Drainage Board on water-quality and drainage risks tied to a large proposed development in the MJ Lane/Rogers Park area, saying retention-pond discharges and changes to historic drainage could affect drinking-water supplies and farmland.

Brent Burgess, a resident who identified himself by name and street address during public comments, said retention ponds near the ethanol plant “smell like sewage” and told the board, “That water is going into our ditches. That's one of the people's drinking water.” He and other commenters urged the county to demand accountability from the city and state environmental regulators.

County staff described the status of permitting and environmental review for the project. The county said it has coordinated with the Indiana Department of Transportation on the final turn-lane work and is coordinating…