Week 7 Assignment: Environmental Justice Case Study
35th Avenue North Birmingham, Alabama Case
North Birmingham was the city of N. Birmingham in 1902. In the early days, there were around 3500 people in the region (Fagan, 2020). The companies in the region employed residents, which is still visible at present. The communities in the region have shaped the socio-cultural identity of the region. The area around Superfund site had parks, country clubs, and a nine-hole golf course. However, the area and surrounding neighborhoods became affected by industrial pollutions. The area contained five companies that caused the industrial pollution.
The project in these areas involved four neighborhoods in the Northtown of Birmingham. The neighborhood included Harriman Paarl, Fairmont, North Birmingham, and College Ville. It was formerly known by the name 35th Avenue Superfund Site. The projects started to win 2009 when EPA carried a toxic study at three Birmingham learning centers to determine the tolerance level of risks in the region. In the year of 2012, there was the testing of over 1100 properties in the area to determine the level of semi-volatile compounds such as arsenic and lead, PAHs, as well as benzo-compounds (Sparks, 2017). These efforts continued to a large scale of remediation, which was to be used to remove and replace contaminated soil from the properties.
As a result, the organizations involved with the region’s industrial activities were deemed potentially responsible parties. The companies that participated in removing and replacing soil included Drummond, Walter Coke, U.S. pipe & Foundry Co, and KMAC Company. As a result, the PRPs took the initiative of negotiating with the EPA to take charge of cleaning the contamination, or the companies were to carry reimbursement of the EPA for their involvement with the cleaning process. The CERCLA Act of 1980 provides the EPA with an opportunity to receive payment through their agreements with the department of justice in 2014 (Allen et al., 2019). The five PRPS decline to have a negotiation with the EPA to help with the cleaning of the contaminated areas. The remediation efforts started after thirty days. They started working on the fifty-two most contaminated areas.
Reasons for this to be considered as an environmental injustice.
Environmental justice is a social movement established to deal with injustice all over the world. The movement is critical in addressing disparities that exist among communities, who are exposed to pollutants over a certain time. North Birmingham found in Jefferson country in the U.S. involves a case of environmental injustice since the area involves every industry that has significant impacts on the environment over a period. The residents became concerned with their health due to the risks of still becoming exposed to the contaminants/pollutants. For several years, pollution has been affecting the community even though the community had been challenging the companies and the government. The EPA body was critical in offering guidelines that can be useful in ensuring the enforcement of environmental law. In its initial actions, the body was charged with the role of enforcing the Clean Air Act of 1970, which was critically important in ensuring that there was a reduction in pollution, which was being caused by vehicles and industrial activities (Holifield, Chakraborty & Walker, 2017).
Organizations involved with the 35th Avenue North Birmingham Case
The organization involved in this case was GASP (Greater Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution), which was established in the 1970s to ensure healthy air and environmental justice. It advocates for a healthy environment and educating people in the region to address environmental challenges. Secondly, Environmental Defense Alliance was also concerned with the case. The EPA also wanted to ensure the removal of toxic waste in the region. An effort that was never accepted as described above.
Arguments of Defense
The local and state lawmakers have been opposing the actions of the Gasp. Also, the Jefferson Country Commission passed a resolution, which condemned the work of environmentalists. The attorney mayor and attorney general wrote some later opposing the cleanup work.
The body that has Taken Actions since the start of the case
The body that has been actively involved with the case is the GASP, which wants to ensure that environmental justice is done. In this regard, GASP executives have been attending meetings for the local community to provide solutions that can be useful in ensuring that the problem is addressed. Also, the Justice Department has taken actions against certain individuals who were liable for the problem. For example, former Representative Oliver Robinson, David Roberson (company executive), and Joel Gilbert and Steve McKinney (attorneys) face indictment for charges of corruption concerning the North Birmingham case (Pennington, n.d.). Roberson received more than 130000 from Balch and Drummond to prevent the cleanup work by the EPA organization. The insights that I have gained from the case is that there is a need for companies to ensure that they are protecting the environment. Pollution does not only affect the people around the industries but also has a significant impact on companies’ reputation, finances, and sustainability.
Sustainable solutions
There is a need for recycling waste, as it is the most effective way of ensuring a reduction in landfill waste. The conservation of natural resources, habits, and energy consumption reduction may be sustainable solutions in addressing environmental problems. Organizations should offer support to environmentally friendly practices.
References
Allen, S., Fanucchi, M. V., McCormick, L. C., & Zierold, K. M. (2019). The search for environmental justice: the story of North Birmingham. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(12), 2117.
Fagan, K. (2020). Public Participation as Peacebuilding: A New Model for Environmental Justice Communities (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Alabama at Birmingham).
Holifield, R., Chakraborty, J., & Walker, G. (Eds.). (2017). The Routledge handbook of environmental justice. Routledge.
Pennington, M. Analysis of Environmental Justice Cases in Alabama. UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM, 179.
Sparks, M. (2017). Assessment of Current Lead Fact Sheets for Development of a Revised Lead Fact Sheet.