It was a much smaller crowd in the PS 32 auditorium last night than at any previous meeting between the Carroll Gardens /Gowanus community concerning the Superfund designation of the Gowanus Canal. Now that the Federal Agency has placed the polluted waterway on the list reserved for the most toxic sites in the nation, it is time for the community to form a Community Advisory Group, also known as CAG
As Natalie Loney, EPA's Community Involvement Co-Ordinator explained last night, a Superfund Community Advisory Group is made up of members of the community, and is designed to serve as the focal point for the exchange of information among the local community and EPA, the State regulatory agency, and other pertinent Federal agencies involved in cleanup of the Superfund site.
In order to facilitate the process, to make sure that the CAG truly is inclusive and representative of the community as well as to help understand the technical and scientific information put forth by the EPA, the agency makes a neutral facilitator available to the CAG group.
Last night, the community got to meet and chose one of the two facilitator candidates: Jeffrey L. Edelstein of Edelstein Associates and Steve Shapiro of Certus Strategies.
Both introduced themselves, gave a brief presentation and then answered questions from the audience about the CAG, the process, the Gowanus Canal and their experience as facilitator.
Certainly, both candidates were highly qualified and had vast experience.
At the end of the meeting, the community members in attendance were able to cast their vote for either Jeffrey Edelstein or Steve Shapiro.
The result will not be available for a few days, as voting will remain open till midnight on Thursday, May 13th.
If you would like to cast your vote, please email Natalie Loney at loney.natalie@epa.gov
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