Indiana panel gives early approval to new water rules

An Indiana regulatory board has given preliminary approval to new rules aimed at protecting the quality of the state's rivers and streams.

The Indiana Water Pollution Control Board on Wednesday gave its initial endorsement to water quality rules that specify under what circumstances, and by how much, polluters can increase pollution into the state's surface waters.

The panel cannot give final approval to the proposed rules until it considers a new round of public comment on them.

Indiana's previous water quality rules played a role in a 2007 uproar over a state permit for BP's Whiting refinery on Lake Michigan.

Tim Maloney of the Hoosier Environmental Council says the group supported the proposed rule but will push for changes before final approval that would better protect Indiana's waters.