Calumet Regional Archives

Inventory

2.00 Linear Feet
Septemner 1982

Introduction

Helen Hoock, Chairman, donated the Community Action to Reverse Pollution Records to the Calumet Regional Archives on July 1, 1982.

Property rights in the collection are held be the Calumet Regional Archives; literary rights are dedicated to the public. There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Linear feet of shelf space: 2 linear feet
Number of containers: 2 boxes.
Calumet Regional Archives Collection 099.
Processed by: Stephen McShane
Date: September 1982

Scope and Content

These records document the history of the Community Action to Reverse Pollution (CARP) Organization from 1965-1976. Most of the material deals with CARP's involvement in environmental issues in the period 197O to 1975. General correspondence (1969-1976) details the efforts of CARP to influence U.S. Congressional local public leaders regarding controversies such as a fossil fuel plant Construction near the Dunes Lakeshore, V.S. Steel coke ovens and the Bailly nuclear plant proposal. Also, the correspondence includes communications with other regional and national environmental organizations as CARP sought advice and received support from fellow environmentalists. CARP Statements, announcements, press releases, and fact sheets (1970-1972) supplement the correspondence and provide information on CARPs viewpoint on local environmental issues and the group's actions and activities to protest industrial expansion along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

In addition, the collection retains material dealing with the Gary Park Board, the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSC0), and U.S. Steel, focusing upon conflicts over plant locations and air quality standards. This series also includes Atomic Energy Commission reports regarding the construction of the Bailly 1 Nuclear generating station. Newsclippings (1970-1974) furnish additional data on the differences between CARP and local industry.

Also, the CARP records include statements and newsletters from regional environmental organizations such as the Save the Dunes Council, Northwest Indiana Clean Air Coordinating Committee, Businessmen for the Public Interest, and the Lake Michigan Federation. These files express the concerns of the various groups over the preservation of northwest Indiana's ecology and also contain statements by CARP. Finally, a large series of printed material supplied by local and state organizations as well as national public and private environmental agencies provide general ecological educational information on water, air, and nuclear power.

The Community Action to Reverse Pollution Papers provide an illustration of a group of local people not only dedicated to learning more about nature, but also intensely concerned with preserving their surrounding natural environment. Researchers should note that several cassette tapes detailing the NIPSCO boat harbor hearings (1971) are available in the Calumet Regional Archives. In addition, information on other Calumet Region environmentaL organization can be found in the Bailly Alliance Records (CRA 023), the Edward Newell Papers (CRA 064), and the James Newman Papers (CRA 073).

Historical Sketch

In November, 1969, a group of Gary citizens concerned about industrial expansion along lake Michigan established the Community Action to Reverse Pollution organization. Adopting the abbreviation CARP, the members elected Mrs. Helen Hoock of Gary as chairman of the association. The primary goal of CARP centered upon preventing "further destruction of Gary's atmosphere, recreational facilities, and natural resources." During its brief history, CARP became involved in several environmental controversies. For example, the group had organized originally to oppose the construction of an electric power plant adjacent to Marquette Park near the Indiana Dunes. Continuing the fight against air pollution CARP charged that U.S. Steel coke ovens contributed to Gary's air pollution problems, and the issue assumed major importance in Gary's campaigns to control air quality in the Region. Later, the Action supported a Gary anti-pollution ordnance (No. 70-60) in local public hearings. In addition CARP joined with other regional environmental groups in conflicts over issues of thermal pollution, preservation of the Dunes, and nuclear power plans of the Northern Indiana Public Service Company in the mid-1970s.

Throughout its lifetime, CARP had been instrumental in educating the public about environmental issues and alternatives to unlimited industrial growth in the Calumet Region's unique natural areas. The group participated in public hearings, held protest events at the Dunes Lakeshore, and lobbied for more effective environmental legislation. Unfortunately, because of the growing lack of interest in ecology in the later l970s, CARP's membership dwindled, and the organization became inactive after 1975. The group continues to exist, however, and maintains a quiet, but watchful attitude toward environmental issues to ensure a cleaner environment for northwest Indiana.

Subject Tracings

• Bailly Nuclear Plant
• Gary
• Community Groups
• Dunes
• Energy
• Environment
• Lake Michigan
• Northern Indiana Public Service Company
• Pollution
• Steel