Module 1.1 - A Turning Point Event for Environmental Science, Cuyahoga River Burning
Point of View
The people in the video speaking all play a role in helping the environment. They talk about the downfall of the Cuyahoga River and its peak 50 years later. They have the perspective of wanting the river to be at its full potential. This is why they point out the Gorge dam that affects still some parts of the river. The orientation is for more people to care as much as they do to put action on one more man-made problem on the river.
Purpose
The goal of this video is to get people informed about the river's progress and history. It informs people how toxic the Cuyahoga River got when there were no laws or principles regarding water pollution. Now we do have laws that protect our environment, and the Cuyahoga River is proof those laws are a necessity. 50 years later, it's tremendous how far the river and environment around got.
Questions at Issue
The Gorge dam was built in the middle of Cuyahoga falls in the 1900s. It causes a mile-half long of water to not meet good water quality. It does not let the river movement flow naturally. Taking the dam out would require a ton of help from other states. Following that, the EPA has to fully support the destruction of the Gorge dam. This issue is still present as the Gorge dam is still there in 2023.
Information
The Cuyahoga River catching on fire on June 22, 1969, brought attention to how badly people treated the environment. The Time magazine published an image of the burning river which reached a large audience to push for what was right. The Water Act was then passed in 1972 with the main reason due to the Cuyahoga River. The remedial action plan was a meeting that the US and Canada had with an international joint commission. The discussion was about border disputes, but the severe issue was water quality. This made everyone work together and hear each other out. There is now life in the river 50 years later. People kayak, fish, and a restaurant on the river were built. The best fact of all is the river is and will continue to be in good shape.
Interpretation and Inference
One big thing that the majority of the Cuyahoga River had was oil. Back in the 1960's technology was not as advanced as it is today. Not only that, but nobody knew much about how to clean the water. That's when the oil study group came along. They handled and dedicated their time to figuring out the process of how to clean up oil. Another solution they came up with was to invest in the sewer district 5 billion. This gave enough money to take out bigger waste that machines were needed. Lastly, the Clean Water Act was in place so that no river would ever get to the point of catching on fire again.
Concepts
The tragic event of the Cuyahoga River catching on fire did bring some positive outcomes. The EPA was formed (Environmental Protection Agency) in 1970. They set rules and standards that protect the control of pollution and the environment. Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Clean Water Act was the first law to be enforced about water pollution in 1972. This law makes it illegal to throw anything in the water. Unless you have a permit that has to be approved by the EPA. Even with the permit it still limits how much can be thrown. Industrial Pretreatment Program was established to protect water quality. All of these acts were placed to better the environment.
Assumptions
The assumption of the video is the audience has the viewpoint of wanting to keep the Cuyahoga River clean. It begins with the disaster of the river catching on fire. Showing how we took for granted clean water. Then towards the middle, it shows the improvement of the river. Following that is their take on one more step we can make to let the river fully thrive. Which is the dam that was built there in the 1900s. Its purpose was to be a hydro plant, but it is not functional. It causes a mile of water not to meet good water quality. This assumption pushes the audience to want the dam to come down. Leaving the Cuyahoga River finally free from our destructions.
Consequences
The Cuyahoga River caught on fire on June 22, 1969. This was the result because there were no laws protecting natural water resources. Anything was legal to dump into the water like oil or liquor that left the Cuyahoga River orange red. This also made the air toxic for people to breathe in. It, likewise, created a gross unique odor that was hard to ignore. The surface was also affected by the poor quality of the river. Fishes, plants, and other creatures could not live or thrive in that river. Making it impossible for any ecosystem to grow or flourish.
Resouces
National Pretreatment Program | US EPA
Clean Water Act | Definition, Provisions, & Facts | Britannica
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