The county reported updates on planned kayak launches along the Wabash and Big Vermilion rivers. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will install a kayak launch at Anne Wright's Bridge (near Forest Glen) in August, county staff said.

A second launch near the Eugene Covered Bridge is awaiting a DNR permit submission; county staff said they hope to break ground on that site later this fall using Blueway grant funds managed through the community foundation. Commissioners said the Blueway grant award is about $2.1 million, and noted that, per grant conditions described in the meeting, half of that amount must be used for education while the other half can fund launch sites.

County staff asked residents and commissioners to propose additional potential launch sites along the Wabash, Big Vermillion and tributaries for consideration under the Blueway grant. The county said DNR told staff the first launch installation is scheduled for August and that a site meeting was set for the following Monday.

No board vote was required for the update; the report was informational and staff will pursue permitting and site work with DNR and the community foundation’s Blueway grant administration.