Bridging the Gowanus - Community Planning Report

The Gowanus area sits just a few blocks away from Cobble Hill and so many residents have been closely following the community planning process this past year called "Bridging Gowanus." It sought to identify goals, discuss viewpoints, and build consensus around a framework for the infrastructure and land use regulations needed in the Gowanus Canal area.  Hundreds of local residents have been involved and all their collective input has informed the creation of a draft community planning framework, which will be presented on Monday November 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at PS 32 (Hoyt and Union Streets). 

Following the presentation, those in person can provide their feedback. The presentation will also be posted on the web, with comments being directed towards info@bridginggowanus.org through the end of the year.

Gowanus Canal Remediation: Public Meetings Jan 23rd & 24th

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late December released its Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) for the Gowanus Canal, which "describes the remedial alternatives considered for the Gowanus Canal Superfund site and identifies the preferred remedy with the rationale for this preference."

The preferred remedy being proposed by the EPA, for the upper and mid-reaches of the canal, consists of dredging all the hazardous "soft sediments" that have accumulated above the canal's native sediments, installing a multi-layered cap atop the native sediment, and stabilizing the native sediments in place in the areas of greatest contamination.  For the lower reach of the canal, the preferred remedy consists of the first two steps, minus the in-situ stabilization.  There are varied plans for the disposal of dredged materials.  In addition, the EPA is recommending the dredging of the filled-in 1st Street Turning Basin.  The EPA estimates the total cost of the preferred remedy at somewhere between $467 million and $504 million.

Furthermore, the EPA is recommending steps to prevent the recontamination of the canal through Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), as well as through the migration of harmful substances from contaminated upland sites.  The preferred remedy also presumes that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection will install retention basins with capacities of several million gallons at the canal's two largest sewer outfalls to help significantly reduce CSO events.

The 43-page Proposed Remedial Action Plan is available online as a PDF, at http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/gowanus/pdf/gowanus_prap.pdf.  The EPA will accept public comments until March 28th.  Written comments can be submitted via email to GowanusCanalComments.Region2@epa.gov, by fax to (212) 637-3966, or by mail to:

Christos Tsiamis

Remedial Project Manager

Central New York Remediation Section

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

290 Broadway, 20th Floor

New York, NY 10007-1866

The EPA is also holding two public meetings this week, on January 23rd and 24th, to present the conclusions of the Gowanus Canal Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study, provide further elaboration on the reasons behind its recommendation, and to accept public comments.  Details of those meetings are as follows:

January 23rd, 2013

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

PS 58, the Carroll School

330 Smith Street

Carroll Gardens

[Map]

January 24th, 2013

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Joseph Miccio Community Center

110 West 9th Street

Red Hook

[Map]

All comments made orally or submitted at the public meetings, and all comments submitted in writing by mail or electronic means, will be documented in the Responsiveness Summary Section of the Record of Decision, the EPA document that formalizes the selection of the final remedy.

The Superfund cleanup of the Gowanus Canal will have a profound impact on the neighborhoods that surround it.  We encourage you to review the PRAP, attend one of the meetings, and, if you're so inclined, to weigh in with comments.

Gowanus Canal Superfund Update

Just a few days ago, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency released their proposed Gowanus Canal cleanup plan and schedule of public meetings. 

The plan, the accompanying Press Release, and a new Feasibility Study Report Addendum can all be downloaded from: http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/gowanus/.

The EPA will hold public meetings on January 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at Public School 58, 330 Smith Street, Brooklyn and on January 24, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the NYCHA Miccio Community Center, 110 West 9th Street, Brooklyn to discuss the proposed plan and answer questions.
The EPA will accept public comments on its proposed plan until March 28, 2013. Also of note, the head of the EPA, Lisa Jackson, just recently stepped down from her position in the Obama administration. 

EPA updates on Gowanus Canal feasibility Study

Iconic Image from local artist Tonky. www.tonkydesigns.com/index.html

While PS58's auditorium is already hosting tonight's meeting regarding the Public Place remediation along the Gowanus, it now seems the local elementary school will be host to another important meeting on Tuesday night @ 7pm. 

With a massive cleanup long overdue, the Environmental Protection Agency thankfully released its Feasibility Study (FS) for the Gowanus Canal at the end of 2011. It intends to "develop and evaluate remedial alternatives for Gowanus Canal sediments that will reduce or eliminate unacceptable risks to human health and the environment from exposure to contaminated sediment and surface water in the canal."

Local blog Pardon Me for Asking has been covering all the details thoroughly, with links to the full 550 page document here. For anyone interested in learning more about the clean up, please attend the EPA's public information meeting on the FS on Tuesday, January 24th at 7 PM in the auditorium of Public School 58, 330 Smith Street.

Green Gowanus Exhibit

Just found this upcoming weekend event in our inbox. We've supported the fight to Superfund, now let's stay invested in as we re-envision the canal's cleaner, greener future.

Our friends at Pardon Me For Asking, posted this invite with all the info.

Gowanus Canal Remedial Investigation Report

The Cobble Hill Association blog has been too busy for posts the past month.

Regretfully we were unable to write up our deep concern at Gov. Cuomo's potential closing of Long Island College Hospital, as well as our deep appreciation to the local electeds who helped keep its doors open. Thankfully, the local papers have plenty to bring you up to speed on our behalf.
* http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/6127
* http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=21&id=41361

But now that we are back to blogging, we do want to alert you of another important matter on the horizon.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM 
at P.S. 32, 317 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn

The EPA offers a public information meeting on the Gowanus Canal Remedial Investigation Report, to discuss the findings of the investigation, conducted by the EPA, to determine the nature and extent of contamination in the canal.  

 

The RI is also available online at:

www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/gowanus/ri_docs.html 

For more information about the meeting or other site related issues you can contact Natalie Loney at loney.natalie@epa.gov or (212)637 3639.

Gowanus Canal Update

Cityroom section of NY Times provides an update on the Gowanus Canal, courtesy of Characters of Gowanus.  Well worth watching.


Cleaning the Canal from Characters of Gowanus on Vimeo.

Gowanus Superfund VICTORY

Crowning months of lobbying efforts by a coalition of civic groups including the Cobble Hill Association, the EPA has announced that it will be adding the Gowanus Canal to the National Superfund List of Hazardous Waste Sites. It is expected that the clean-up will take 10 to 12 years and will cost $350 million to $500 million. Thanks to US Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery, NYS Senator Daniel Squadron, NYS Assemblywoman Joan Millman and NYC Councilman Brad Lander for their support. 

 

The EPA will also be hosting a meeting this Thursday, March 4 at PS 58 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will focus on next steps in the Superfund process.

Thursday, March 4, 2010
from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
in the auditorium of PS 58
located at 330 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY
(entrance to the school is on Carroll Street) 

Here are some highlights of statements released yesterday:

 "....designating this waterway as a Superfund site is simply the most reliable way to ensure we have the dollars and the coordination to undo years of environmental damage.  I commend the EPA not only for its conclusion but for its commitment to transparency and participation throughout the process."
                       - State Senator Daniel Squadron

"I am very enthusiastic to hear about Superfund designation of the Gowanus Canal, which was announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Previous EPA studies have confirmed that the Canal is highly toxic and requires comprehensive cleanup.  I am convinced that Superfund designation is the best approach for getting it done - to bring the substantial resources necessary, provide for optimal coordination between all interested parties, and best insure that the community is well-informed and involved.  Over time, I believe that Superfund designation will turn the Gowanus Canal area from a toxic remnant of mistreatment of the environment into a sustainable community resource for decades to come.
                     - Councilman Brad Lander

The clean-up of the Gowanus Canal has been the environmental challenge of our time and the Cobble Hill Association has been proud to stand together with all of our South Brooklyn neighbors and local elected officials to fight for Superfunding the Gowanus.

Congratulations to all of us!