Virtual public hearing on Google data center’s latest wetlands request set for Tuesday night

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is hosting a virtual public hearing to collect community input on a permit request from Hatchworks LLC, the developers behind Google's data center campus in Fort Wayne. This request pertains to Phase 3 of a $2 billion multi-phase expansion and seeks permission to fill 2.13 acres of forested, isolated wetlands to construct three new buildings.

Hatchworks LLC has stated in its application that it will purchase 4.26 acres of wetland credits from the Openings Mitigation Bank in Fort Wayne to compensate for the environmental impact. However, Fort Wayne City Councilman Geoff Paddock has sent a letter to IDEM, advocating for the agency to enforce the "strictest possible environmental and permit review standards" during its consideration of Google's request.

Paddock noted that he has received numerous complaints from constituents concerned about continuous environmental disruption. He also highlighted that Google did not disclose its plans to utilize wetlands during earlier rezoning approvals, where such environmental impacts are typically discussed. IDEM previously approved similar requests from the developers to fill over two acres of wetlands in an earlier phase and approved the addition of more than 140 emergency diesel generators, despite public opposition. If the latest permit is granted, developers anticipate starting Phase 3 work by mid-September, aiming for completion by December 2030.