Residents Protest LEAP District Water Agreement

Hundreds gather at Eagle Creek Park to voice concerns over water usage for new development project

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:35am

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Residents of Indianapolis gathered at Eagle Creek Park to protest a recently approved water use agreement tied to the Lebanon LEAP District development project. The agreement would allow 25 million gallons of water to be drawn daily for the project, some of it from Eagle Creek itself, raising concerns about the impact on the local ecosystem and water supply.

Why it matters

The LEAP District development project is expected to bring jobs to the area, but residents are worried that the water usage agreement could have negative consequences for Eagle Creek Park and the surrounding environment. There are also concerns about transparency around the agreement and potential future water demands.

The details

The water use agreement was approved by the Lebanon City Council on Monday night. It would allow water to be drawn from Eagle Creek for the LEAP District project, with wastewater then being recycled back into the creek. Residents and experts argue this could disrupt the natural water flow patterns and harm local wildlife and ecosystems. There are also concerns about a clause in the agreement that would allow the city to request additional water sources if needed in the future.

  • The protest took place on Saturday morning at Eagle Creek Park.
  • The Lebanon City Council voted to approve the water use agreement on Monday night.

The players

Lou Ann Baker

Chairwoman of the Eagle Creek Advisory Committee.

Marty Risch

A retired scientist and hydrologist of 40 years.

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What they’re saying

“We understand the LEAP project is going to bring jobs. We're not opposed to jobs. What we're concerned about is that those efforts may penalize Eagle Creek Park. And that's where we'd like to see some compromise and some change.”

— Lou Ann Baker, Chairwoman of the Eagle Creek Advisory Committee (wrtv.com)

“Imagine you know water coming out of a sewer pipe in the winter when everything's frozen. That's not the pattern that these wildlife for sure have become dependent upon. This will be an alteration of an ecosystem that doesn't look to be a positive one.”

— Marty Risch, Retired scientist and hydrologist (wrtv.com)

What’s next

Residents are calling for an end to the LEAP District project or, at minimum, greater transparency around the water use agreement if the project moves forward.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the tension between economic development and environmental preservation, as residents try to balance the potential benefits of the LEAP District project with their concerns about the impact on the local ecosystem and water supply. The outcome of this dispute could set an important precedent for how such development projects are evaluated and approved in the future.