MUNSTER | The impact that a land- or water-based casino in or near the Little Calumet River could have on flood control efforts drew comments from audience members and one legislator Wednesday night.
Addressing members of the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, state Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, said he's concerned a plan to relocate one of Gary's two casino licenses to a riverfront site could spell disaster for residents downstream should another historic rainfall event occur.
"Personally, I think it's not the right thing to do. It's going to hurt a lot of people," Mrvan said.
With testimony from a representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency overseeing the construction of levees from Gary to the Illinois border, Mrvan said some legislators could be swayed to nix the casino move.
Imad Samara from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said he's not familiar with the casino plan, but said any project that would negatively impact the flood-control program would not receive the appropriate permits from a multitude of state and federal agencies, even with the Legislature's approval.
And while the state has allowed multiple casinos along the Ohio River in southern Indiana, Mrvan said he can't see how a riverboat would fit anywhere in the Little Calumet River.
"The Little Cal is a ditch compared to the Ohio River," he said.
The casino plan is just one of a handful pending in Indianapolis that could affect the Little Calumet Commission's work. Dan Dernulc, the commission's chairman, said a bill passed by the Legislature and waiting for the governor's signature will likely change the makeup of the group's membership and additional funding also is in the air.
Mrvan said he and other legislators pushed for a $14 million appropriation to finally complete the project, but that amount has been reduced to about $9 million. He said the full amount is needed to get the project done on time.
"We're going to work hard to get that $14 million. I don't think any honest legislator could turn that down after seeing the videos (of September's flood) because that saves live and it saves homes," he said.
