Viewpoint William T. Love – who made the man-made canal that he envisions linking the Niagara River to Lake Ontario, providing water and hydroelectric power for a model industrial city.
Time Frame:
Between 1942 and 1953 Hooker Chemical disposed of about 22,000 tons of mixed chemical wastes into the Love Canal.
Background of the case Near the end of the nineteenth century, after America was once again a unified country, the entrepreneurial pioneers looked towards shipping. Many canals, such as the C&O and Erie Canals, unified American waterways to provide an efficient shipping system. In 1894, venture capitalist William Love envisioned a "power canal" (the purpose of which was to supply cheap hydroelectric power) in the Niagara Falls region of New York State. Construction began on Love's vision, but soon a depression hit the nation, and Love was left with no investors and little more than an empty ditch. "Love Canal"--as the hole became affectionately known by the local townspeople-- became a swimming hole in the summer, and an ice skating rink in the winter. This attitude towards the canal was to end by the mid-1900's.
In 1942, Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation negotiated a deal with the current title-holders of the land, the power company, whereby the Corporation was allowed to dump any wastes into the canal. Hooker finally bought out the land, and its surroundings, in 1947. To the company's defense, [the chemicals were dug into impermeable clay soil [oec], but many tons of hazardous, indeed deadly, chemicals were then dumped into the Love Canal. Local homeowners were not apt to complain, for environmental concerns were not at such a forefront of social consciousnes as they are today, and also the Hooker Corporation was a large employerin the area. What was the Love Canal became a huge field upon which children could play soccer.
And so, the disaster began.
Statement of the Problem
Hooker Chemical Company begins dumping of chemical wastes at Love Canal, From the 1930s through the 1950s, it was used as a chemical waste dump. The surrounding land was then sold and used for residential purposes, and soon people began complaining about strange odors and possible health problems.

Areas of Consideration

Assumptions (Optional)

Alternative Course of Action: * Close off the hazardous area and begin immediate clean up of the contaminated surrounding areas. * Relocate all residents immediately. And, evacuate residents in segments with pregnant women and children first.
Conclusion & Recommendation:
3 R's 1. Relocate 2. Reimburse 3. Rebuild
Relocate all residents immediately. And, evacuate residents in segments with pregnant women and children first.

Action Plan: * Relocate all families in unites by proximity to the contaminated area and high toxin level areas. * Families will be able to relocate in any city within REGION 1 of New York State. * Costs divided between the city, ctate, and company budgets.