INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana House Environmental Affairs Committee is preparing to move forward with legislation eliminating all or most protections for state-regulated wetlands in Indiana.

The Republican-led panel heard more than two hours of testimony earlier this week on Senate Bill 389, and next week likely will vote to advance the measure to the full House, with some possible changes.

The original proposal approved in February by the Republican-controlled Senate would repeal all state regulations on wetlands and terminate all pending administrative and legal actions against individuals who violated the regulations while they were in effect. The House committee is considering revising that plan to continue partially protecting particularly difficult-to-replace forested wetlands, but allowing most other isolated wetlands to be drained or filled without consequence or any obligation to replace them.

The legislation is championed by the Indiana Builders Association, which claims state wetland protections make it more difficult for home builders to develop new subdivisions, driving up housing costs for Hoosiers.

Opposition of the measure includes the Indiana Department of Natural Resources because of its negative effects on hunting, fishing and tourism, along with dozens of major and minor environmental organizations across the Hoosier State.