In Indiana, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) manages and maintains the natural areas such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas.  The mission of IDNR is to protect, enhance, preserve, and wisely use natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana’s citizens through professional leadership, management, and education.

IDNR was created pursuant to Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 14-9-1-1.  IDNR consists of a director, four deputy directors, and other personnel necessary for the performance of its functions.

IDNR comprises of the following divisions such as accounting, administrative support services, budget, engineering, entomology and plant pathology, fish and wildlife, forestry, historic preservation and archeology, human resources, internal audit, land acquisition, law enforcement, management information systems, nature preserves, oil and gas, outdoor recreation, public information and education, reclamation, reservoir management, safety and training, state museums and historic sites, state parks, and water[i].

In addition to these divisions, the following bureaus are created within IDNR[ii]:

• The bureau of water and resource regulation;
• The bureau of lands and cultural resources;
• The bureau of mine reclamation; and
• The bureau of law enforcement and administration.

Apart from the divisions and bureau, a natural resources commission is also established within IDNR.  The commission consists of twelve members[iii].  The twelve members of the commission are:

• The commissioner of the Indiana department of transportation or the commissioner’s designee;
• The commissioner of the department of environmental management or the commissioner’s designated deputy;
• The president of the Indiana academy of science or the president’s designee;
• The director of IDNR;
• The chairperson of the advisory council;
• The director of the office of tourism development or the director’s designee; and
• Six citizen members appointed by the governor, of whom at least two must have knowledge, experience, or education in the environment or in natural resource conservation.  However, not more than three citizen members should belong to the same political party.

Further, IDNR has the following powers[iv]:

• to investigate, compile, and disseminate information on Indiana’s natural resources;
• to make recommendations concerning the natural resources of Indiana; drainage and reclamation of land; flood prevention; development of water power; culture and preservation of forests, fish, and game; preservation of soils; prevention of the waste of mineral resources; prevention and methods of control of plant diseases, infections, and pests; and prevention and methods of control of bee diseases, increased production of honey, and the use of bee appliances; and
• to cooperate with the appropriate federal government departments in conducting topographical and other surveys, experiments, or work of joint interest to the state and the federal government.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

[i] Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 14-9-4-1.

[ii] Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 14-9-3-1.

[iii] Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 14-10-1-1.

[iv] Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 14-11-1-1.