Natural Resources Commission approves bobcat trapping rules & advances carbon sequestration rules

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) today granted final adoption to allow the limited, regulated trapping of bobcats in designated southern Indiana counties. Additionally, the NRC granted preliminary adoption of rules overseeing carbon sequestration and carbon dioxide transmission pipelines.

Bobcat Trapping Rules

In 2024, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation (SEA 241-2024) directing the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to have rules in place for bobcat harvest by July 2025.

The approved rules include:

• Establishing a bobcat trapping season in 40 southern Indiana counties, including a limit of one bobcat per trapper and a cumulative season limit of 250 bobcats for all trappers combined.
• Allowing bobcats and their parts that are legally acquired to be sold.
• Allowing bobcats that are found dead to be kept by people with a permit.
• Adding bobcats to the list of species for which a game breeder's license is required.

The NRC granted preliminary adoption of the rules in September 2024, and it later held two public comment periods and two public hearings.

Research maintained by the DNR and Purdue University shows that the bobcat population in Indiana has expanded during the last two decades. This research can be reviewed at on.IN.gov/dfw-rule-changes.

Bobcats have well-established populations in the 40 counties where trapping will be allowed. Analysis shows that this high-quality habitat can support regulated harvest while also maintaining a healthy, sustainable bobcat population.

After the rule's adoption, DNR anticipates that Indiana's first bobcat trapping season will begin this fall. A summary of all rules and regulations will be available in the annual Hunting & Trapping Guide, which is typically available in August.

Carbon Sequestration Rules

Carbon sequestration involves the capture of carbon dioxide produced through industrial facilities and its injection deep underground into porous rock, with the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2022, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation (HEA 1209-2022) to allow for carbon sequestration projects in Indiana, and in 2023, passed legislation (HEA 1626-2023) directing the DNR to adopt rules for their implementation.

The proposed rules establish permitting processes, operational requirements, and compliance standards for industry participants, as well as protections for neighboring landowners.

Currently, carbon sequestration projects in Indiana must be reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for matters including safety and water quality protections before receiving federal Class VI construction and injection permits. These federal permits are required before companies can receive a carbon sequestration permit or a pipeline certificate of authority from the DNR.

Decisions on the location of carbon pipelines and carbon injection will continue to be overseen through local zoning.

The rules under consideration include:

• Establishing application requirements for carbon sequestration project permits and carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificates of authority, and defining timelines for review, approval, modification, and transfer of permits.
• Providing clarity on pore space ownership agreements, ensuring fair participation of landowners in sequestration projects.
• Outlining safety, monitoring, and compliance responsibilities for storage operations.
• Ensuring alignment with the EPA's Class VI well regulations to streamline federal and state permitting.
• Working with the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to regulate carbon dioxide pipeline installation and safety.

DNR developed the proposed rules with input from industry representatives, landowners, other state agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure clarity, efficiency, and environmental safety.

Public comment on the proposed rules will first open in April 2025, with a second comment period anticipated at a later date. The proposed rules will be considered again for final adoption by the NRC at a later meeting.

Video from today's meeting is available at https://www.in.gov/nrc/meetings-and-minutes/.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

Media contacts:

• Bobcat Rules- Geriann Albers, Furbearer and Turkey Program Leader, DNR Fish & Wildlife, 812-822-3304, [email protected]

Carbon Sequestration Rules- Marty Benson, DNR Communications, 317-233-3853, [email protected]