Lesson III

THE CASES
CASE STUDY # 1

AN ISLAND STORM

If I were the official concerned in this incident, I would first secure the opinion of environmental
experts to analyze the condition of the polluted water and assess the damages done by the
environmental violations committed by the perpetrators of this incident. I will hold a meeting
with the environmental experts along with the other local officials and residents to explain the
health risks of water contaminated with coliform and to discuss the possible course of actions
needed to be taken to rehabilitate the island into full recovery.
I would inform the local residents that the island may be closed for an extensive period of time to
ensure that the planned rehabilitation process would go without a hitch. I would coordinate with
the local water district to formulate plans in order to ensure that the locals will have access to
clean water that is safe for consumption. I would also assure the local residents that rely solely in
tourism that they will not lose their livelihood during the rehabilitation period. I will also
coordinate with other agencies that may provide temporary livelihood or source of income to the
local residents. I would draft an ordinance that requires new establishments to strictly comply not
only with the current and existing environmental code but also health code in order to prevent the
same incident from happening again. I would advise the local governing bodies to have a
biannual test to monitor the quality of water as a precaution to avoid future complications.