The Southwest Indiana Brine Coalition (SWIBC)was formed in 1998 by citizens concerned by the impacts of oil extraction-especially the problem of the saltwater by-product- upon land and water resources. Partnering with the RC&D enabled the SWIBC to obtain grant monies from Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Indiana Department of Natural Resources- Division of Oil and Gas. These funds have allowed the SWIBC to hire a full-time coordinator, who has been identifying oilwell brine contamination in a seven-county area since 1999. Restoration of brine damaged areas has been accomplished through costsharing with the landowners.

SWIBC received national recognition for their remediation of brine contaminated sites- click the link for the story. In 2005, SWIBC was co-awarded the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commissions National Environmental Partnership Award. This award recognizes outstanding projects in local partnershiping.

The 2005 Field Day was held near Westphalia in NE Knox County.