Carmel advisory committee weighs possible rule against blowing lawn clippings into retention ponds

A Carmel Climate Action Advisory Committee member asked whether the city could recommend an ordinance prohibiting lawn clippings and grass from being blown into ponds, saying the practice increases nitrogen in water and harms aquatic life.

"Would it be possible for this committee to make a recommendation to the city council to pass an ordinance not allowing that from being done?" the member asked, citing municipal and HOA practices.

City staff and council members urged a data-first approach. One member said more information was needed to understand the scale and to explore how the city mows properties adjacent to water. "With more information, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be something we could or should look at to undertake from a city council perspective," a council member said.

Legal staff noted jurisdictional limits. "A lot of bodies of water are not actually regulated by the city," counsel said, pointing to county and state roles for flowing water and to Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oversight in some cases. Counsel said prospective regulation—through PUD commitments or new ordinances tied to future development—is easier than retroactive rules for existing HOAs, though the committee could ask staff to consider language for the upcoming comprehensive stormwater-ordinance update.

Engineering staff described existing tools and enforcement gaps: the city issues maintenance manuals for ponds recorded with developments and requires annual reports, but compliance has been low. Engineering staff recommended improved education for HOAs and easier reporting mechanisms before expanding enforcement.

Committee members suggested a mix of "carrot and stick" approaches, including stronger HOA notification and incentives to maintain ponds to reduce future dredging costs. Staff said the comprehensive stormwater update scheduled to align with state construction general-permit changes would be an opportune vehicle to consider pond-management language.