Delaware County's environmental crisis : a study of White River pollution problems and the political and economic complications surrounding a solution

Establishing a quality environment has become a major task facing federal, state, and local governments in recent years. In this research paper, the basic concern is the political and economic problems preventing local government in Muncie, Indiana, from developing an adequate program for eliminating pollution of the White River.While pursuing this investigation, it is recognized that three cogent facts might serve to aggravate attempts to improve the environmental quality of the White River in Muncie, Indiana. These facts area (1) increased urbanization in the Muncie area, (2) the unwillingness of the voting public to accept the tax burden necessary for providing improved water quality, and (3) the difficulty of changing long standing life styles and traditions. Therefore, the study of these problems from which suggestions for their elimination could be derived seem particularly worthwhile, especially to the people living in the vicinity of the White River and, to a certain extent, the nation as a whole.Recognizing the extent of the White River Valley Watershed, the writer found it necessary to define the limits of this study. The area of study established for this research project is defined as the White River and its tributaries as it follows its course through Delaware County in Indiana. Particular attention will be given to the urban concentration designated as Muncie, Indiana.Thesis (M.A.