Module 1.1 - A Turning Point Event for Environmental Science-Celebrating the Comeback of the Burning River, 1969-2019
In the video “Celebrating the Comeback of the Burning River” the people being interviewed are discussing the occurrence and implementations that have changed the Cuyahoga River after the disaster that happened in 1969. They can view the future by looking at how these changes improved the life of the Cuyahoga River and what future modifications need to be made. The removal of the Gorge Dam in Cuyahoga Falls is one example of changes that can drastically affect the environment of the Cuyahoga River region.
I feel this video was used to educate the population about how dangerous it can be if we are careless with the waste we produce and with the right regulations it can reverse most of the damage done. Bob Wysenski described how hard it was to start the clean up because people were still in the same mind frame that they were in before the disaster. Bob goes on to say when the industry people and the clean-up committee begin to communicate, they realize they both want to achieve the same goal thus the clean-up happens easier.
This video discusses many issues with the Cuyahoga River but the main one I can see is the education of how people affect the environment. The video starts out talking about what led up to the Cuyahoga River being on fire. The video stated the companies that were polluting the river did not know what effects they were having on the environment. It was not until the clean-up committee came around that the companies started to get educated on what is going on and why the water caught on fire. That is when everybody started to become invested in cleaning up the water. Elaine Marsh states that we did not understand what was going on and had to set up an education system to educate companies and the people in powerful positions. Another issue that the humans made in this video is the creation of the dams. The Gorge Dam in Cuyahoga falls was supposed to be a hydro plant, but it was never a functioning hydro plant. Instead, this created a barrier for the fish to get upstream and it also restricted natural water flow between Akron and Cleveland.
Before the clean-up, people observed the disgusting condition the river was in. Bob Wysenski witnessed the air conditions that caused people to have a tough time breathing. Working around the river was constant so the noise pollution was high. The water had oil and the color was often orange red. Wayne Bratton who was a boat captain, stated the river had a unique smell due to the way the companies would dispose of the waste. After the different agencies were created and started collaborating with the various companies the water started to get cleaner. The Director of Watershed Programs Frank Greenland noticed once the water started getting cleaner more people started to commute towards the water. He is even hopeful that someday businesses will return to the area.
The conclusion of this video shows that with enough work most of the issues can be reversible, but it will take assistance from everyone. That means companies, agencies, and people that make the decisions need continued education on effects that we have on the environment and technology that can help past mistakes.
I do not think the people that are discussing having more traffic in the area take in affect the amount of pollution and problems having more people in the area create. Mayor Walters also assumes that removing the dams on the river will bring large numbers of tourists to go white water rafting. To me there will be a honeymoon phase then realize people in this area will begin to pollute the river again. They also must be careful when removing such an enormous dam that might cause flooding in the surrounding area.
Because this disaster happened, companies were accountable for the industrial waste under the Clean Water Act. A national and state level Environmental Protection Agency was formed as well as a Northeast higher region Sewer District and the Cleveland regional sewer District. These regulations and agencies helped the Cuyahoga River recover from the immense number of pollutants. While the water became cleaner, the hopes of the community grew for tourist activity to increase.
“Celebrating the Comeback of the Burning River,
1969-2019” YouTube, uploaded by Ohio EPA, 2 November 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18JpT61rX6A&t=214s.
Plain Dealer. Marking 50 years Since
the Cuyahoga River Fire, Which Sparked US Environmental action. 1960. Chemical
and Enginering News, 17 June 2019,
cen.acs.org/environment/pollution/Marking-50-years-since-Cuyahoga/97/i24.
Accessed 25 Jan. 2023.
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