This site was home to the largest cleanup of hazardous waste in Texas history. 64 square miles of marine habitat and fishing waters had been contaminated in the late
1960's. Alcoa's aluminum manufacturing plant was dumping as much as 67 pounds of
poisonous mercury per day into Lavaca Bay. They eventually stopped, but the damage
had been done. The mercury accumulated, entered the food chain, and built up to
unsafe levels throughout the ecosystem. Government officials had to eventually ban
fishing activities in part of the bay due to health risks. This also hurt local fisherman and
the local economy.
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and government partners created
a new 70-acre marsh area and over 700 acres of coastal habitat was turned into a wildlife
refuge. Before new habitats could be constructed, what did the government need to do in
this area?
A)
remove the soil containing the mercury
B)
fence the area to keep people out
C)
ban fishing activities
D)
shut down Alcoa