The South Bend Tribune reports that the city of South Bend, IN is attempting to purchase an old auto salvage yard to prevent (further ?) contamination of groundwater and nearby wellfields. According to the paper (emphasis, mine):
Although economic development and aesthetics are factors, city officials say environmental concerns are their primary incentive for buying the property. The South Well Field already is threatened by trichloroethylene, or TCE, believed to have leaked from nearby underground storage tanks used by AM General, Toro Corp. and Chippewa Corp., formerly located west and northwest of the field, according to Indiana Department of Environmental Management records.
In response to the Tribune’s request to learn more about the city’s own “environmental audit” conducted at the site:
…assistant city attorney Tom Bodnar denied the newspaper’s request. Bodnar cited state laws that exempt from public view records the city deems as “attorney work product,” those that are protected by “attorney-client privilege,” and those that are “advisory or deliberative material, are expressions of opinion and are communicated for the purpose of decision-making.“
Sounds like a wonderful way to boost public confidence. Full story here.
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