2. Background of the Study
In 1894, William Love began to build a canal in the Niagara Falls area of New York State to
unify waterways into efficient shipping systems.
Due to economic depression, the project was abandoned.
3. In 1942, the Hooker Electrochemical Corporation leased the canal as a waste dump to
dispose of toxic waste from the manufacture of chlorinated hydrocarbons and caustics.
After exhausting the contents of the canal, (around 21,000 tons of toxic chemical). Hooker
capped the hazardous waste landfill with impermeable cap.
Background of the Study
4. In the early 1950s the local School Board began making inquiries on the Love Canal propertyThree years later, Hooker sold the land to the Niagara Falls School.
Background of the Study
5. An elementary school was built in the middle of the property and the surrounding land was
sold by the School Board to developers who built homes
In 1958, three children suffered chemical burns from wastes that had resurfaced at the
former canal site.
Background of the Study
6. By 1978 occupants of the homes in the area had begun to organize Love Canal Homeowners
Association (LCHA) which is led by Lois Gibbs.
On August 2, 1978, a public health emergency was declared by the New York State
Commissioner of Health. It purchased the 239 homes nearest to the canal and assist the
displaced families in relocating this action costs $42 million in excess to government.
Background of the Study
7. The NYSDH did conduct a survey study of the residents in the remaining homes which
concluded the safety of the residence.
Members of the LCHA rejected the Department's assurances, citing the fact that chemical
seepage was evident beyond the evacuated area.
Background of the Study
8. Lawsuits sued the Occidental Petroleum Corporation, which bought Hooker Chemical in 1968.In 1994, the federal case was settled for $129 million and the clean up of the Love Canal was
finished.
Background of the Study
10. Timeframe
1994: This is when the federal case was settled and the clean up was recently finished.
11. Statement of the Problem
Prevention of toxic waste exposure to residents of Love Canal in the future.
12. Areas of Consideration
Strength Opportunities
• Inexpensive refurbished home for
sale
• Place is cleaned up of toxic wastes
• Attracts frugal buyers or poor
families
• Favored by the government
Weakness Threats
• Past issues with safety
• Possible remnants of toxic waste
• Stigma of past hazard
• Media influence
13. Alternative Courses of Action
Advantages Disadvantages
• The residents will no longer need
to search for a new residence.
• Less cost.
• many are still not convinced and
the toxic-free is not fully assured.
• The stigma/trauma of the
residents.
ACA1
The residents of the love canal will evacuate and will return after the clean-
up.
14. Alternative Courses of Action
Advantages Disadvantages
• Safer place to the residence to live
in.
• The residents will no longer worry
with toxic exposure.
• New environment adjustments
• No career assurance for the
residents to be relocated
• The students will more likely to
transfer to other school
• More cost
ACA2
The residents of love canal will relocate even though there will be a clean-up
operation.
15. Alternative Courses of Action
Advantages Disadvantages
• A chance for no relocation needed
results to less expense.
• Developer might formulate a
solution that will give the residents
and company a bigger opportunity.
• A chance for a bigger expense for
proposed solution of the
consultant.
ACA3
A developer will be hired to conduct a study and formulate the best solution.
16. Conclusion
It is recommended to follow the ACA 2 and ACA 3 that the residents of love canal
will relocate and a developer will be hired to conduct a study to formulate the best
solution. Even though there will be a clean-up operation for the residents to have
a safer place to live in, there is no assurance that the toxic wastes still lingers in
the said area. In addition to that, the residents will no longer worry for the risk of
being exposed with the toxic waste. After the relocation of residents and cleanup
operation, a study will be conducted by a developer to formulate the best solution
that might give bigger opportunity to the area.
17. Action Plan
Activities
Person/Group
Responsible
Remarks
Look for prospective site for relocation LCHA
Hold a meeting Lois Gibbs
Prepare for the financial matters LCHA
Prepare the needed documents for relocation LCHA
Prepare for moving in to new residence LCHA
Relocate the residents LCHA
Hire a developer NYSDH
Conduct a study Developer
Formulate the best solution Developer
Implement the solution NYSDH
