IDEM sues used auto parts dealer

MUNCIE – – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management claims in a lawsuit that Westside Used Auto Parts has declined to pay a $10,250 fine and conduct an environmental cleanup of its site at 1216 W. Second St.

The agency says owner Wayne Handshoe ignored an order last year from IDEM Commissioner Tom Easterly to pay the fine and clean up automotive fluids and automotive shredder fluff. Handshoe is also accused of failing to remove mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles that were being crushed at the site.

Handshoe said on Thursday he was unaware of the lawsuit filed in Delaware Circuit Court 3 and declined further comment.

But last year, he told The Star Press his business and the entire neighborhood surrounding it are contaminated with pollution from the former Manual Transmissions of Muncie plant that was closed in mid-2006 and demolished soon afterward.

“My property is contaminated from the old GM plant,” Handshoe said. “I keep telling the environmental people if they ever clean up that GM property it looks like they would have to clean my property up.”

IDEM alleges that inspections in 2010 and 2012 found that Handshoe allowed automotive fluids and fluff — shredded auto residue consisting of foam, plastics, metal particles, rubber, glass, fabric and oil — to be released in areas around a garage door, the south and southeast sides of the building, along a fenced area south of Second Street, in the fenced yard to the west of the building and on two other parcels.

In addition, Handshoe allegedly violated a state law requiring motor vehicle recyclers to remove all mercury switches.

Easterly ordered Handshoe to cease and desist violating environmental regulations at the site, implement a mercury cleanup, excavate soil contaminated by automotive fluids and dispose of it at a permitted waste site. Handshoe also must conduct ground water and soil sampling for potential pollution on the property.

Contact Seth Slabaugh at (765) 213-5834.