Environmental Management

Hammond Ordinance No. 7102 created the Hammond Department of Environmental Management (HDEM). Powers granted to the department are described in that Ordinance.

The department consists of two divisions; the Air Pollution Control Division and the Solid Waste, Water and Noise Division. The department consists of 3 full-time staff members. In addition to the Director, the department has 2 engineers.

Originally named the “Department of Air Pollution Control”, the department was founded in 1967 and had a staff of 5. In 1971, the department was given a contract with the Indiana State Board of Health – Air Pollution Division to implement state air pollution regulations within the city. The department was renamed the “Hammond Department of Environmental Management” in 1988 and expanded its role into solid waste, water and noise pollution. In 2009, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management ended its contractual relationship with HDEM and all other local air pollution agencies within the state. Currently, the department consists of 3 full-time staff members.

Duties of our office include:

• Prepares and issues permits for air pollution sources within the city.
• Performs inspections of air pollution sources to ensure compliance with permit requirements and local ordinances.
• Issues violation notices and levies civil penalties for noncompliance with environmental regulations or permits.
• Responds to citizen complaints relating to air pollution, noise pollution, and other environmental concerns.
• Provides chemical information support to the Hammond Fire Department Emergency Responders during incidents involving hazardous material releases.
• Performs soil testing for Lead and other hazardous metals.