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Environmental consultant updates commission on industrial-site oversight and South Muncie study
Summary
Mundell & Associates briefed the Redevelopment Commission on environmental reviews for incoming industries and a multi-year South Muncie Industrial Center investigation, finding no evidence of widespread heavy-metal contamination above screening levels but recommending continued monitoring and community outreach.
John Mundell, president of Mundell & Associates, and senior project engineer Luke (surname not stated) presented an update on environmental oversight work the firm has conducted for Delaware County, including site permit reviews for incoming companies and a multi-phase investigation of the South Muncie Industrial Center.
Why it matters: the county has used third-party technical reviews to screen potential industrial tenants, advise on permitting and communicate environmental findings to residents. That oversight is intended to protect public health while preserving the county's ability to attract industry.
Mundell described three main service lines his firm provides for the county: initial screening of incoming companies to identify air, water or waste permitting needs; review and comment on permit applications to ensure controls and paperwork are in order; and third-party technical review to respond to community environmental concerns.
Examples discussed in the meeting included KenPak (Canpack) where Mundell's team reviewed air-emissions controls and public comment materials, and Clearline, a company working with recycled tires where Mundell helped confirm the correct permit pathway and persuaded the state agency (IDEM) that the operation qualified for a lesser solid-waste handling category rather than a full solid-waste-processing permit.
The South Muncie Industrial Center study (initiated 2020) was presented in summary: Mundell's team inventoried industrial history, sampled soils and private wells in surrounding neighborhoods and concluded there was no evidence of widespread heavy-metal contamination above screening levels. Key findings the consultants emphasized were (1) an urban legacy of moderately elevated lead in some soils (not uncommon around long-established industrial areas) and (2) occasional elevated lead in private well water — a growing area of attention because private wells are not regulated the way public systems are. Mundell's team recommended continued public education, a public-facing story map and access to testing guidance for homeowners and private-well owners; the firm said it had developed an outreach story map and would share the link with county staff for posting.
Mundell also summarized monitoring and follow-up with two remediation matters inside the industrial center: Garfield Exide (ongoing groundwater remediation and historic hazardous-waste management) and a Progress Rail remediation work plan for which Mundell submitted public comments. The firm said it continues to provide quarterly updates and to communicate with IDEM and county staff where remediation orders are progressing slowly.
Commissioners asked whether the story map was available on the county website; Mundell requested staff post the link and the county agreed to add it to the commission page.
The commission did not take formal action; Mundell's report was received for information and the county will follow up on posting the outreach materials and continuing quarterly oversight updates.
