The Adams Mine Dump War: A Tale of Environmental Justice and Community Resistance

In the early 1970s, the Adams Mine in Omega, Illinois, began accepting toxic waste from a variety of industries, including chemical manufacturers, metal platers, and battery companies. The waste was dumped in an unlined landfill on the banks of the Embarras River, and it soon began to contaminate the groundwater and surface water in the area.

Unlikely Radicals: The Story of the Adams Mine Dump War

by Charlie Angus

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1798 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	276 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The residents of Omega, many of whom were low-income and African American, began to suffer from a variety of health problems, including cancer, respiratory problems, and birth defects. They also saw their property values decline and their quality of life deteriorate.

In 1982, a group of residents formed the Omega Concerned Citizens Committee (OCCC) to fight the Adams Mine. The OCCC organized protests, held public hearings, and lobbied government officials. They also filed a lawsuit against the mine's owner, Waste Management, Inc.

The Adams Mine Dump War was a long and hard-fought battle. But in 1986, the OCCC finally won a victory when Waste Management agreed to close the mine and clean up the contamination.

The Adams Mine Dump War is a powerful example of the power of community organizing and the importance of environmental justice. It shows that even the most disadvantaged communities can fight back against environmental racism and win.

Timeline of the Adams Mine Dump War

* 1972: The Adams Mine begins accepting toxic waste from a variety of industries. * 1978: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) issues a permit to the Adams Mine to continue accepting toxic waste. * 1982: The Omega Concerned Citizens Committee (OCCC) is formed to fight the Adams Mine. * 1983: The OCCC files a lawsuit against Waste Management, Inc., the owner of the Adams Mine. * **1984:** The Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) orders Waste Management to clean up the contamination from the Adams Mine. * 1986: Waste Management agrees to close the Adams Mine and clean up the contamination.

Key Figures in the Adams Mine Dump War

* **Reverend Leon Morris:** A local pastor who was one of the founders of the OCCC. * **Mary Smith:** A community activist who was also one of the founders of the OCCC. * **Ernest Quarles:** A lawyer who represented the OCCC in their lawsuit against Waste Management. * **Bernard Carey:** The director of the IEPA during the Adams Mine Dump War. * **James Thompson:** The governor of Illinois during the Adams Mine Dump War.

Legacy of the Adams Mine Dump War

The Adams Mine Dump War was a landmark victory for the environmental justice movement. It showed that even the most disadvantaged communities can fight back against environmental racism and win. The war also led to the passage of the Illinois Environmental Justice Act, which requires the IEPA to consider the environmental and health impacts of its decisions on minority communities.

The Adams Mine Dump War is a reminder that the fight for environmental justice is not over. There are still many communities across the country that are impacted by environmental racism. But the war shows that it is possible to win these fights and create a more just and sustainable world.

Unlikely Radicals: The Story of the Adams Mine Dump War

by Charlie Angus

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1798 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	276 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE