New York (State). Legislature. Assembly. Task Force on Toxic Substances

The 20-month investigation by the Assembly Task Force on Toxic Substances is an important chapter in the story of one of the worst environmental tragedies in United States history. On June 1, 1979, Assembly Speaker Stanley Fink formed the Task Force to investigate allegations that the United States Army and various military contractors beginning in the 1940's had dumped toxic wastes in the Love Canal without proper safeguards or monitoring. The investigation was to focus on the broad question of responsibility for this dumping and to gather all available information regarding the ownership and use of the Love Canal and the nature of the environmental threat to residents of the area.

The Task Force came under the supervision of the Assembly Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation. Assemblyman Maurice Hinchey, Chairman of this Committee, headed the Task Force. Other members of the Task Force were Assemblymen Alexander Grannis, Joseph Pillittere, and Matthew Murphy.

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