Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN-08) and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced a new bill to provide for the conveyance of certain land, Dillard Road, Patoka Lake, Indiana, to the State of Indiana. This bicameral legislation would transfer portions of Dillard Road that are still owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to the state of Indiana to ensure it can be properly maintained. Representative Bucshon and Senator Braun remain committed to finding common-sense solutions that support all Hoosiers.

“I am proud to join Senator Braun in introducing this legislation, rectifying longstanding oversights and ensuring the responsible and efficient management of Dillard Road. The conveyance of Dillard Road will not only address bureaucratic lapses but also pave the way for sustained maintenance and access, benefitting both the community and the recreational users of Patoka Lake. I look forward to getting this legislation passed to support Hoosiers and safeguard Indiana’s essential infrastructure.” – Representative Bucshon

“The conveyance of North Dillard Road was a collaborative effort between Federal, State, and Local government with input from local private businesses and recreational stakeholders. I convened a meeting with all the stakeholders in July 2022 to find a solution because Hoosiers and recreational visitors deserve a well-maintained road that allowed access to a beautiful state resource, strengthen the local economy, and preserve a public thorough fare. I would like to thank the USACE, INDOT, DNR, Crawford County Commissioners and State Rep. Bartels for working toward this solution.” – Senator Braun 

BACKGROUND

• This bill conveys portions of Dillard Road that are still owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to the state of Indiana by quitclaim deed.
• The bill stipulates that Indiana must hold the United States harmless for any and all liability with respect to the land on and after the date of conveyance.
• Patoka Lake is located in Dubois, Crawford, and Orange Counties, and was opened in 1979 after the Patoka River was damned for flood maintenance capabilities.
• When the lake was created, the USACE built Dillard Road to create access to many central portions of the lake and was intended to deed the road over to Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) once completed. But due to bureaucratic oversights, this never occurred.
• The USACE stated “Maintenance of roads that serve leased recreational facilities, commercial business, and residential development like Dillard Road fall outside of the range of mission priorities along with operations and maintenance of our infrastructure.  Currently we have not been able to secure available funding to maintain the road in a long-term capacity.”
• Due to a low priority of mission for the USACE, and non-ownership by the state of Indiana, the road has gone largely unmaintained. In this absence, many locals have filled potholes and performed maintenance on the road themselves.
• In 2022, INDOT and the USACE signed an agreement to give INDOT the authority to operate and maintain the road from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2027. But in order to make the transfer of the road to INDOT permanent, legislative action is required.
• This legislation would give control of the road to those who have the resources and incentive to keep it maintained, ensuring continued access to many parts of Patoka Lake.

Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. represents Indiana’s 8^th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives and is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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