NYC Focus: Superfund Gowanus

In addition to the groups I highlight below that support Superfund status for cleaning up the Gowanus canal, let me add Tom Angotti, PhD Director of the Center for Community Planning & Development at Hunter College. He wrote an excellent piece for Pardon Me For Asking on May 22, 2009.

Continued from last week:

The movement to cleanup the Gowanus Canal before allowing development is growing. Here is a coalition that is forming to push for Superfund status for the Gowanus canal so it can be effectively cleaned up:

* United States Environmental Protection Agency
* New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
* The Army Corps of Engineers
* Riverkeeper
* The Sierra Club
* Columbia University’s Urban Design Lab
* Friends of Greater Gowanus (FROGG)
* Carroll Gardens Coalition for Respectful Development (CG CORD)
* Friends of Bond
* Park Slope Neighbors
* The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats
* New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery

This, to me, is a great coalition of local, state and national organizations. And I should note that "Friends of Bond" refers to Bond St., not a British secret agent who likes his drinks shaken, not stirred.

You can join the movement as well through Superfund Gowanus:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agrees the Gowanus is an "Estuary of National Significance" and is "unbelievably highly contaminated" with tar, PCBs, sewage, lead, mercury and arsenic. The EPA has the tools to lead a comprehensive and inclusive cleanup. Our community has known for generations that this is a toxic public health hazard. Spot cleanup by developers will not achieve the job necessary for a healthy environment. Our Council Member Bill de Blasio has been quoted in the media saying the city has no plan to clean the Gowanus. It is absolutely crucial that you take the time to make your voice heard.

The EPA Comment Period ends on July 8, 2009. Two things are required: Public Support from our community and a reasonable degree of Political Support for our elected officials. The USEPA is soliciting letters and/or emails from individuals. We encourage you to include specific examples of your personal concerns, observations, hopes and supporting materials (including photographs).

IT'S CRITICAL THAT YOU CONTACT THE EPA AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS:

* When you click on WRITE A LETTER OR EMAIL, you will find a direct link to the EPA electronic comment board, the EPA mailing, and e-mail addresses, as well as a series of information and subject bullets you may wish to include in what you write. (Note: the EPA prefers to go paperless with electronic submissions.)

* When you click on SIGN THE ON LINE PETITION you can add your name to be presented to each and every one of our elected officials so that they know what their constituents, you the voters, want them to do to represent you on this issue.

*Here is a convenient LINK with answers to popular question.*