Environmental protection
Introduction
The company is 10 km away from town but it boarders the main pass way to the nation’s capital from the east and enjoys an employment capacity of about 1550. The workers live near the company and have a water based recreational center that is 1.9 km to the south of the company. The general slope of the land shows that the waterway leads directly to the main water supply of the area and to three national reserves set up for water animals and birds. This therefore means that the water system is affected by these factors. The risk of leakage has had an adverse effect on the surroundings of the factory. There have been reported cases of waterfowl deaths to the south of the company because of the general slope of the land in the area. The land has a general slope from the east to the south and the nearness of the factory to the main water supply of the area has had an adverse consequence on the environment in general. Due to the general slope of the land and the nearness to the main water supply in the area, leakage has made its way to the water system affecting the waterfowl in some of the NSW gazette areas with endangered species. The contents for the spillage finding their way in to the storm water drainage system has also had an effect on the downstream water based recreational facility and the main drinking water supply of the entire area. This area is to the south of the factory which is approximately 1.9 km away. This means that the main drinking water supply is currently having a tough time trying to deliver safe and healthy drinking water due to the spillage (Jackson 2013). In addition to that, there are high changes in the death toll of the endangered waterfowls which is likely to rise within the next weeks because of food poisoning. These fowls that mainly feed on fish and some other water animals that are now rapidly dying off as a result of the contents of the leakage are presently being spotted. The best way to prevent the leakages from the factory having this negative impact and reducing its impact on the environment, certainly is determined by the first chain of actions that are taken at the factory’s premises (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2011). Therefore it is important that the company sticks to the environmental policies that were signed at its opening. As an environmental office my greatest obligation is to ensure that the factory is doing and has done everything possible to put this leakage under control. In addition to that the factory’s response to the call of emergencies is very important in determining how they solve problems they are faced with appropriately. Therefore, as an officer concerned with the environment, there is a need to have a surface survey which will in turn ensure that the support from other environmentalist is effectively adequate and it is help that would cope with the hazard, and bring the situation and control (Danny 2005). Therefore, redirecting the company to determine that all its processes are effective until the condition of the spillage is effectively managed. In addition to that it will be required that the company put in measures to have the environment cleaned up within the shortest time possible.
Implications and significance of the problem
The problem is likely to have a great impact on the tourism sector since the endangered species of water birds might become extinct. As a result of food poisoning and pollution of the water the waterfowls might also move to other places which may lead to the problem of having an imbalance in the entire ecosystems (Stedeford 2007). In addition to that, both the recreational center and the water supply in the area will have to be closed for a while, this is so as to have the contaminated water flow away ensuring that the impact of the leakage does and affect the locals. The implications created by the problem include the serious effect on general dependence of the locals on the water supply which will have to be postponed for some time (Simon & Wilson 2007). Consequently, the recreational center which is water based will have to bear with the water crisis and also withhold it activities until the water is safe for use again. On top of this, there are several problems that are likely to arise from those coming in to contact with water that is mixed with the leakage.
The two potential causes of leakage
There are several probable causes that would result to such a leakage occurring in a factory. One of the main causes of leakage in bulk storage companies is due to lack of maintenance of the storage facilities. Most factories do not check on the condition of their storage tanks from time to time; storage tanks are used but are not properly maintained could be a probable source of leakage. This has many a times caused losses to most the storage companies that could run to millions of dollars annually. Apart from that, the other most probable cause of the leakage could be accidents. Accidents are the most phenomenal cause of leakages in the storage industry and they have cost companies a lot over the last decade. Accidents are mostly unavoidable in most situations and could occur at any time. However, it is the preparedness of an organization to handle a hazardous material that is brought to test most of these times. Therefore according to the (History of the Clean Air Act 2012), it is advisable for most companies to be competent and swift in their handling of such health and environmental hazards at any time and in the most respective way. Any efficient handling of a leakage requires effectiveness and proficiency in the disaster management team at the place of work. The other potential cause of the spillage could be improper discharge and disposal of the spoiled good in their tanks.
Action taken to protect the environment
Generally the line of action is to have the leakage contained first while gathering information on the genesis of the leakage. Then the officers can ask the management to help in reclamation to the ecosystem that has been polluted. Alternatively there is the option of having the law take its course on the effect of the of the spillage to the environment and finally the company involved can be obliged to set up effective, efficient and proper ways of handling environmental hazards in future more professionally (Simon & Wilson 2007). This is the only action that would be taken to have the environment protected and the companies in the given set up held responsible for every deed that affects the environment. In addition there should be a hazard management plan that each company has to come up with to ensure that it is prepared for leakages and other environmental hazards. As an environmental officer, the main obligation one has is to ensure that our environment is safe and good enough to support both humans and other living creatures in the ecosystem without them having health or other related problems that could result to death (Sullivan 2004). Therefore, it is good to note that it is punishable by law if you are involved in the pollution of the environment willingly, knowingly or unwillingly.
Evidence collection and interviews
The evidence collected is used against the person or firm that is responsible for the pollution of the environment. In the modern world, photos and videos can play a big role in depicting the impact of the leakages and their significance to the environment. Photographs need to be taken showing how the spillage has affected the waterfowls and recreational center. In addition to that there are several other materials that can be used as evidence in a court of law. The leaking substance from the storage tank will be collect, tested and presented in the court as evidence. In addition to that, the water supply has been contaminated therefore some of the drinking water is definitely to be used as part of the evidence in the court. However, (Jared 2009) stated that the evidence alone may not be enough bases to ask the court to take a stern action on the matter against the accused; therefore, interviews will be needed to record ad create a case against the factory. Interviews have to be conducted on both the staff and the employees of the factory. This will be done to assess the general handle of the leakage by the factory. By interviewing the work force it is possible to tell whether the company has been doing around the clock to tirelessly ensure that the leakage is under control.
The views collected can be compared to the staff’s views when determining if the hazard had the total effectiveness in the handling and in the controlling of the situation. In addition to that an interview is conducted on the adversity of the impact of the spillage on the water supply. The interview will be conducted on the medical personnel who will take the samples from the scene for lab testing. However, there are two other very important people that the interview should be conducted on to collect more evidence that can be used during the case. These are the manager of the recreational center and the management of the NSW site with endangered species. Their interviews will help to deliver a clear picture of the impact of the leakage on the water, the water birds and the recreational center. The main reason for having an interview is to help in seeking more information on the impact of the leakage to the surrounding and to the entire ecosystem (Stedeford 2007). In addition to that, the driving factor should be their views on the method to use while handling the issue of environmental pollution, with accordance to the NSW in and environmental court laws.
Since there is limited information from the complaint of the leakage from the factory an extensive research and more evidence that is related to the case should be collected. They will in turn help in the building up of a strong agreement in the case (Bullard 2007). The evidence that can easily be linked to the company’s spillage and its effects should be organized in a proper and in easy way to understand. Furthermore, there is a need to have more agencies helping in the investigation of the case as this would give a lead as to what should be expected from the factors in play. Some the agencies that can be included in the search for ways to control the leakage are the National Wildlife Agency, the Federal water quality standards, Residences, offices and premises (Environmental Protection Agency 2012). These agencies will help in the determination and assessment of the effects of the spillage and the collection of resourceful information that can then be used as evidence in the environmental court.
Right and power of enter and search
On the first day, I will hand the factory a notice to compel them to make sure that they handle and control the leakage within twenty four hours. This will be done so as to help in the control of the effects of the harmful substances that have been flowing in to the drainage system and on to the larger environment. If the second day the factory does not allow me in to the premises and they have not put the condition under control, assistance will be needed from the local authority. The local police and other agencies that work to ensure that the environment is convenient for habitation will also be summoned to come to my aid. In addition to that, I will file a case against the factory for failing to adhere to the environmental control act, and denying me the liberty to access their premises and asses their misuse or mishandling of storage. The act of 1997 would allow me to enforce my notice and if the company does not adhere to it the management of the company should be sued in the environmental court; Environmental Justice Coalition (EJC, 2008). The charges will include the denial of the right and power to enter and search, and the power to issue a notice. Therefore, the factory will be sued for violating my power and authority to enter and search any premises.
If the factory allows me in and does not by any means try to stop me from rechecking the premise and the control of the spillage it implies that a future regulation strategy must be put in place (Bullard 2007). The strategy is to help reduce and control other incidents of hazardous spillage to the environment from the company. The strategy to be put in place will include the work force, the staff and the environmental regulatory laws. Therefore, this means that the employees and the employer will have to undergo a basic training on how to handle spillage. The basic training should also include the environmental aspect in every event. The first priority of the training will be to show the relationship between the environment and its habitants (Beychok, 2005). In addition to that, the strategy should also include training from other agencies that are involved in environmental issue to enlighten on how to properly handle the environment. The strategy should be detailed on the impact of mismanaging the environment.
In the regulation there should be a time limit, showing how often the maintenance of the factory storage facilities is to be maintained (John 2009). Apart from that in future the factory should refrain from using heavy machinery that could easily rapture storage tanks, and have to incorporate professionals in the handling of the storage tanks. In addition to that the strategy should be subjected to ensuring a routine check daily of the condition of the tanks to ensure that the factory does not undergo such a loss again and the environment is not affect by any leakage from the company.
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