Author Question: What happened at Love Canal, New York, in the 1970s that spurred Congress to enact CECLA? What will ... (Read 29 times)

tichca · **on:** Jul 15, 2018

What happened at Love Canal, New York, in the 1970s that spurred Congress to enact CECLA? What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What happened when chemical waste was disposed of by deep injection at the Army's Rocky
Mountain Arsenal? What will be an ideal response?

diesoon · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 15, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A residential community situated on top of a chemical waste dump began to experience serious health
issues related to leaking toxic substances. The problem became so acute that the President of the
United States declared the area a federal disaster area. This led to the evacuation and relocation of the
community and a very expensive cleanup effort. It was an important case because it prompted
Congress to enact legislation that provided money for toxic cleanup. This legislation also gave the
EPA authority to sue polluters for the cost of cleanup and relocation of victims.

Answer to Question 2

The injected fluid caused earthquakes to occur. This incident demonstrated that earthquakes can be
induced by increasing fluid pressure at depth. Fluid pressure decreases shear strength in a rock mass,
so movement can occur more easily.