My final mapping project concerns developments in the small town of Hinkley, California, prior to and following the landmark case Anderson, et al. v. Pacific Gas and Electric, settled in 1996. Although it may evolve or slightly change as my research proceeds, the historical question I am hoping to address is how have factors such as population density and poverty levels in Hinkley been affected by contaminated drinking water? I will focus on mapping Hinkley with an emphasis on showing a correlation between the location of PG&E facilities and contaminated domestic wells or other drinking water sources. More specifically, this project will consider developments in population density and poverty levels spanning from the 1990s, right before the contamination came under the scrutiny of Erin Brockovich, to the 2010s.
To create my final mapping project, I will search for and employ different sources to find relevant data. Some possible sources that I may use include local newspapers, plume maps showing the spread of contaminated water in Hinkley’s groundwater sources, census data of the town between the 1990s and 2010s, legal documents concerning the case itself, and additional relevant information from sources like the California Water Boards. Additionally, I will also further explore ArcGIS Online to access base maps, which I may reference and use, particularly in terms of water contamination. I will also plan to research secondary sources, which will enable me to provide historical context to my maps. Some of these secondary sources may be reports and studies related to the water contamination in Hinkley, especially if they discuss socio-economic factors that contribute to how poverty levels have changed in the community over time.
For my final project, I plan to create a story map. Based on the nature of my project, this type of map would be effective for several reasons. A story map would enable me to introduce the topic of water contamination and the case involving Hinkley, CA. Because the storyline of the case against PG&E is vital to understand the historical context, it is essential that I incorporate the story alongside maps of the town that I will produce. Besides maps, this type of map project will also allow me to provide other visuals and video clips, if applicable, to enhance the story. Moreover, utilizing a story map will enable me to highlight important data and sites, such as PG&E’s facilities and contaminated water within Hinkley. After showing this, I will be able to clearly delineate my conclusion on how Hinkley has changed as well as why studying this case is relevant today.
This mapping project will ultimately serve as a case study for how contaminated drinking water affects communities. By exploring factors such as population density and poverty levels, both before and after Erin Brockovich helped to unearth the truth about the contamination, this project will display how the town of Hinkley has changed. This information will provide scholarly value because it can help inform contemporary discussions about environmental justice and policies as well as foster environmental advocacy, especially in terms of maintaining clean drinking water sources. This project will also have historical impact because it will delineate water contamination over a period of time and how the community has changed as a result.
