in-20260902-IR-GOV260308EOA: STATE OF INDIANA

STATE OF INDIANA EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT INDIANAPOLIS EXECUTIVE ORDER: 26-22 FOR: SUPPLEMENTING EXECUTIVE ORDER 26-21 AND TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING CERTAIN FLOODWAY PERMIT REQUIREMENTS TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME, GREETINGS. WHEREAS, IC 10-14-3-12 authorizes the Governor to declare a disaster emergency by executive order and, during the emergency, to suspend regulatory statutes prescribing procedures for the conduct of state business, and the orders, rules, or regulations of a state agency, when strict compliance would prevent, hinder, or delay action necessary to cope with the emergency; WHEREAS, on August 13, 2026, I signed Executive Order 26-21, declaring a statewide disaster emergency due to widespread and severe damage across Indiana caused by flooding, severe weather, tornadic activity, and a derecho beginning on August 11, 2026, and continuing through August 12, 2026; WHEREAS, during the period beginning August 6, 2026, and ending August 14, 2026, the National Weather Service issued or continued Flood Warnings and Flash Flood Warnings affecting numerous Indiana counties; WHEREAS, flooding and severe weather have damaged or threatened roads, bridges, culverts, and stream banks, and have created conditions requiring prompt action by state agencies, local governments, utilities, property owners, and emergency responders to protect life and property and restore essential infrastructure; WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources ("DNR") ordinarily requires an individual floodway permit or license before certain construction, obstruction, deposit, or excavation may begin in or on a floodway; WHEREAS, strict compliance with the individual application and preconstruction approval procedures for emergency road, bridge, culvert, and stream-bank repairs may prevent, hinder, or delay actions necessary to cope with the disaster emergency; WHEREAS, temporary and narrowly tailored relief from those procedures, subject to conditions protecting floodway capacity, public safety, and fish, wildlife, and botanical resources, is necessary and appropriate under the circumstances; and WHEREAS, additional actions and orders are necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, to be taken promptly as more particularly described below. NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE BRAUN, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Governor of the State of Indiana, do hereby order: Mike Braun Governor of Indiana ATTEST: Diego Morales Secretary of State Legislative Services Agencey Fiscal Statement as required by IC 2-5-1.1-7.