Paddock asks state for strict standards regarding Google data center's wetlands request
Fort Wayne City Councilman Geoff Paddock has sent a letter to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) urging strict environmental review for Google's request to fill over 2 acres of wetlands for its local data center. Paddock highlighted constituent opposition and noted Google did not mention wetland concerns during the late 2023 rezoning approval. A public hearing on the issue is scheduled.
Fort Wayne City Councilman Geoff Paddock, representing the 5th district, has formally requested that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) apply the most stringent possible environmental and permit review standards to Google's application for wetlands permits. Google is seeking to fill more than 2 acres of forested wetlands as part of its local data center campus development, offering to create wetlands elsewhere to compensate for the loss.
Paddock, who will be unable to attend the upcoming public hearing on the matter, stated he has heard from numerous constituents who oppose Google's plan. He also pointed out that Google's representatives did not raise any wetland-related concerns when they successfully sought City Council approval for rezoning the property in late 2023.
In his letter, Paddock emphasized his role as an elected representative and urged IDEM to ensure Google operates within established environmental parameters, avoiding further strain on the wetlands in the chosen area.