Vinay, thanks for that. I had heard about Love Canal, but only the myth.
Thanks to Stephen Hicks for enlightening.

There is a story I recall which you (or maybe freedomforall?) may be able to help track down. It goes something like this-

About 30 years ago there was in the Australian state of Queensland a proposal for a mining project. I think it was for mineral sands at a site not far from Brisbane the state capital.
Many objections were raised. They ranged over the usual environmental, health, safety, sustainability concerns and the survival of the lessor spotted twin tail and the bob backed goanna.

The company hired the experts, prepared submissions, detailed plans including for extensive rehabilitation and wild-life corridors covered all concerns raised in the objections. Objections continued, the mining company gave up.
Five years later the entire area proposed for the mine site was covered in housing. The greens did not oppose housing. But what about the lessor-spotted bob-backs? The greens care nothing for wildlife or the environment, all they want is to damage the economy.