 CLAY CAP EROSION Demonstrating the erosion of the Clay Cap, which the Department of Health Services (DHS) denied, Alan Sam Merha (right) stands in an erosion trench as Penny Newman (left) looks on. The Clay Cap consisted of a layer of kiln dust (to neutralize heavy metals), a layer of clay, and a top layer of natural soil. Because no covering was placed on the concave cap, heavy rainfall eroded the cap, exposing the chemicals beneath. Due to the persistence of CNA, in March of 1983, Senator Robert Presley called a meeting with CNA and DHS. As a result, Tom Bailey of DHS was convinced of the cap erosion and called in the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team to stabilize the site. Photograph by Alan Merha |