From the moment it was made public that the E.P.A. had proposed the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site, our local politicians have shown an incredible lack of leadership and an amazing disregard for their constituents' health. Pardon me for asking, but are they collectively committing political suicide?
Since Walter Mugden, of the US EPA stated at a public forum two weeks ago that the Gowanus Canal was so severely polluted that it easily fit the criteria to be included on their list of Superfunds, our politicians have been spinning this as a "complex issue" that needs careful consideration.
Now, truly, what exactly is there to consider?
It is all rather simple, I think.
Our city government has neglected the canal for decades and has contributed to its pollution by allowing raw sewage to flow into its waters every time it rains. That makes the city one of the canal's biggest polluters. There is a half-hearted clean-up attempt being proposed by the city, but it was never going to dredge the whole canal to remove toxic materials. Even if it wanted to, New York City doesn't have the money anyway to do a thorough job. Instead, Mayor Bloomberg, with the support of our (mostly absent) City Councilmember Bill DeBlasio, had the glorious idea of opening up the Gowanus Canal area for residential use and allowing individual developers to clean their building sites (uplands only) themselves. What a concept: bring entire families to the shores of a terribly polluted waterway and hope for the best! Now that is real advocacy for one's constituents.
The NYS Dept. Of Environmental Conservation wanted to do a more thorough clean-up, but realized that it was too big and complex of a job, so they reached out to the federal government and asked for help. I tend to think that someone at DEC had a conscience and realized that our politicians were going to put people's lives at risk by having them live in apartments next to an open sewer, so they wisely brought in the EPA.
According to Walter Mugden of the EPA, it only took his agency one of its tests to determine that the Gowanus canal met the requirements for a Superfund site. More were not needed after the first reading. Yes, it is extremely toxic, probably more so than residents even imagined.
The EPA has stepped forward and has promised a comprehensive clean-up.
Now, one would think that our elected officials would say "Thank You Very Much For Your Help" to the EPA, but that is not the case. Mayor Bloomberg immediately announced that his administration didn't need any &%^$#@ help from the EPA. Councilmember DeBlasio was a little more subtle, but stated that the Feds would "just get in the way" of a Gowanus Canal clean-up. He opined that "You don't want to drink out of it, you don't want to eat fish out of it, but it is not a danger to live near it."
Well thank you, Professor DeBlasio!
But DeBlasio must have had a moment of self doubt when he wrote a letter to Lisa Jackson of the EPA in Washington DC on April 22nd 2009 to ask:
" Is part of the basis of the proposed designation that people eat fish caught at the mouth of the canal? Is there a clear causal link between the canal sediment and levels of toxins in fish caught in NY Harbor? Is there any other predicted risk to the health of the residents or workers along the banks of the Gowanus under normal living or working conditions now?"
Maybe, Mr.DeBlasio should have asked EPA these questions a long time ago, before he advocated rezoning the area to residential.
And how about our other elected officials?
Just today, it was announced that the EPA had extended the 60 day public comment period by an additional 30 days after Councilmember deBlasio, Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Congresswoman Nydia Vélazquez requested more time to consider the risks to our citizens which have not concerned them until now.
Ms. Millman explains her request to EPA by stating: "This is a complicated situation, with a sad history of neglect and inactivity."
Exactly my point, Ms. Millman!
Had these officials reached out to the EPA when they first took office, the canal might be clean already.
Now they are dragging this out even longer. Funny that the community never received more time to comment on the Toll Brothers' spot-rezoning. That was a 'complex' issue as well.
It sure feels as though this community is fighting its own politicians. Silly me, all this time, I thought that they were representing us.
I have written off deBlasio, but I sure hope the others will get off the fence soon and follow their conscience. And that includes newly-elected NY State Senator Daniel Squadron and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
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19 comments:
This is shameful! Our politicians have shown "a sad history of neglect and inactivity" (to paraphrase Joan Millman). Local politicians and developers were outmaneuvered by the state and feds and don't know what to do except buy more time. Who is behind the scenes pulling the strings?
To Daniel Squadron: Please show some leadership and and use your conscience as your guide. This is divisive and unhealthy for our community.
Well said Katia!
As I've said before when it's time for the community to speak DeBlasio either leaves or hasn't arrived yet. It's pathetic how the Toll's are all bothered that this is slowing up their project where they were going to hoodwink unknowing people into living on infested waters. All i can say if this Superfund happens "karma is a b*tch" !
Good point, Katia, that when Toll Bros, wanted their spot rezoning, and said not to worry about the clean up, that was NOT complex for our city "leaders." And if the EPA had not come in when it did, we would have gotten just THAT. A cover-up job. Just cover it. Don't clean it. You know, the scientific facts the EPA looked at have been there for YEARS! Our city "leaders" had as much access to these facts as all of us did. Many of us knew about the dangerous level of toxicity. You just had to do a simple Google search to know that the Gowanus was one of the MOST polluted waterways IN THE COUNTRY! The anti-Superfund people are griping about how long this will take. Well, this 30 day extension to the comment period requested is an example of them just stalling to figure out how they can make this sooo complicated that it will add more years! Let's hear their next spin.
Margaret
Cleanup is the only answer. If any politician wants to commit political suicide sacrificing themselves to whatever power seems better than a cleaner canal, well that sounds more like homicide to me.
Thanks for your post.
I am terribly disappointed in Daniel Squadron's lack of leadership so far. This community stood solidly and enthusiastically behind him during his campaign. This feels like a betrayal of sorts. Where are you Daniel?
Katia, if you are going to claim the moral high ground, you really should be intellectually honest about the case you are making. It bothers me deeply when someone who is claiming to speak for a position I have some sympathy for is basing their case on misleading people. For someone who frequently tries to shame her opponents it's entirely unworthy. I had hoped that since we've elected Obama people would take his example of trying to build consensus from opposing viewpoints a little more to heart.
EPA's Walter Mugden has been very clear about the fact that the Superfund designation is not planning to address the sewage runoff in their plan because it is not the kind of toxins Superfund is aimed at. the testing they did and the results they are referring to are about what's in the mud under the water in the canal. Period. It's bad stuff. It needs to be cleaned up. The City, State and Feds have ignored it for decades. Yes, yes and yes.
If you want to try to close the gap between those who are for vs. against having the EPA take over stop using references to and photos of post-rainfall sewage to make your case. In fact, include an acknowledgment that any dredging of the toxins in the canal's mud bottom is going to delay addressing the sewage issue by many years.
If you want to be taken seriously as an voice in this important debate instead of an idealogue with a megaphone please be honest about the facts underlying your position. People like myself who share your objectives but are not willing to support your methods will end up with the opposition if only to make sure that the truth -- which, sorry, actually IS complex -- gets a fair hearing.
Dear Jesse-
CSO are certainly part of the entire complex, but it is the toxicity of the environment which we all share that is lethal. By your own admission, there is "bad stuff" in the canal and the risk is indeed more pernicious than simply CSO's.
Katia may be guilty for caring too much during this draught of silence and apathy, but she is applauded for raising the issues. There are no idealogues here Jesse, simply family and neighbors.
Who among us will assume this awesome responsibility? Not you, certainly. Maybe tomorrow? The world does not self-adjust, it requires agents of change through active citizenry and active leadership. It is very clear that there is NO active political leadership, but we take for granted those in our own community who raise the siren and take a stand for others.
Let's stay on point shall we? And CLEAN THE CANAL.
I don't know the context of DeBlasio's letter but the blurb reads to me like a fishing expedition and he is seeking answers that are favorable or can be spun to favor residential his position that it is perfectly safe to live along the canal.
Squadron, as a young and junior rep is probably getting pressure from his colleagues to oppose Superfund status and needs to grow a pair and if he doesn't better not get to comfortable in his job. A lot of people worked tirelessly on his campaign - yeah, thanks a lot Daniel.
As for Joan, all I can say is "poor Joan". She has always seemed overwhelmed to me like she bit off more than she could chew.
All I can say is that it sounds like they need more time to come up with a less comprehensive plan and a way to fund it.
I hope the EPA stands its ground. If our local politicians had been doing their jobs they would not need more time to "study" this issue.
I question some of the pro-designation motives myself. Although cleanup of the canal is certainly worthy my feeling is that all the anti-development people are now really focused on superfund designation since it will probably kill all residential development ( at least in our lifetimes).
Although discussed in years decades past about runoff into the canal - it seems that once there was talk of adding apts that now is some toxic nightmare.
The hesitant reactions of politicians are usually connected to money/business. This level of toxic contamination would never have been allowed to go on this long if it were outside of the city. It's a level almost unheard of anywhere else. Clean-up is absolutely a horrible, short-term economic hit (more like a whallop) for businesses and homeowners. It's a messy, grisly affair. I do have sympathy for that; however, the long-term effects of inaction on health and property will be even worse.
Huge areas of Greenpoint/Williamsburg should be next. But I doubt that will happen.
It is outrageous that our politicians who are griping about how long it will take to clean the canal are now asking for an extension of the comment period. Bloomie and our supposed representatives are frantically racing to develop a "good enough" plan and when they fall short will probably ask for another extension. I hope the EPA is just pandering to them - they should know how it feels.
I think in the next election this borderline red diaper baby will be voting for the Republican candidates. It is doubtful they will win but if they did at least I would know what to expect and won't be disappointed.
For years the politicians turned a blind eye to the canal and considered repair of some bulkheads a major accomplishment. Now that the EPA is stepping they are running around like chickens with their heads cut off to protect their developer campaign contributions and Toll Brothers and other developers is exactly what DeBlasio means when he says that part of the funding should come from "local economic projects."
These people are unfit for public office.
to 9:41 In the first place, the canal should never have been considered for the kind of residential development that has been presented to the community. The land is toxic, as is the water. The developers considered it as waterfront property. And before ANY residential development is even considered, the canal and its banks have to be cleaned up comprehensively. Then you think about what is best for the canal to help keep it clean. Doesn't that make sense? Isn't that prudent thinking? It has been stressed long enough! We need to respect the little nature we have left in our community.
jesse stated in error that: EPA's Walter Mugden has been very clear about the fact that the Superfund designation is not planning to address the sewage runoff in their plan because it is not the kind of toxins Superfund is aimed at."
For years now the Army Corp has said that they won't begin restoring the estuary bottem untill the CSO sediment problem is solved. The City is the one who has been holding up this whole process. The EPA has the ability to resolve the stand off, which is why the Superfund designation is the only way we will be able to move towards a clean Gowanus. We just can't give the city more time on this, they have proven themselves undependable, time and time again.
The POLS asked for an extension and got it. Hmm and then I have heard they can ask for another one and get it? Then methinks this will likely continue and re-continue til after the November election then. The Canal clean-up has already become a political hot potato I guess.
I mean how many so-called "extensions:" can the POLS ask for and get? Does anyone know?
Why don't we hold a massive rally at the Canal and refuse to budge from there until we get some answers from the POLS?
GRRRRR
To 6:45 PM Holding that rally at the Canal and refusing to budge from there until we get some answers from the POLS - you just better hope that is not on a smelly day - esp. after heavy rains! when there are wafts of eau de Gowanus filling your nostrils with every breath...
Great post Katia
Bloomberg will unveil his budget today. More layoffs and higher sales taxes but no income tax increase on the wealthiest so let's all cheer. If we are in such dire straights then how is the city going to fund a clean up? I have an idea since our politicians are in such a hurry for luxury condos Bloomberg should give the money to the EPA for a comprehensive clean up out his personal funds as it would be a drop in the bucket to him.
I read the letter DeBlasio wrote to the EPA in its entirety. Make no mistake, he doesn't care about the health and safety of current and future residents rather he wants answers that he can twist to favor his opposition to the Superfund designation. Had he bothered to attend the EPA presentation he would know the answers. Actually, I am sure he already knows the answers.
If it wasn't so maddening, the request for an extension would be laughable. Remind me again how many years Joan Millman has had in office to neglect the canal.
As for all these claims of a "lack of notice" of the canal's placement on the NPL that they are whining about, that is how the system works and it is designed to prevent the exact type of political maneuvering and back door dealing that is occurring now.
Something stinks and it isn't the hydrogen sulfide wafting from the Gowanus. I think it is a bunch of hooey that this is such a "complicated" issue that more time is needed to fully study it. Well, who is partially responsible for the "inattention" and "neglect?"
Joan's letter is easily translated: we need more time to put together a half-a**ed plan that won't be as comprehensive as the EPA's but won't spook the developers and a slick Powerpoint presentation.
While we wait for the politicians to get their ducks in the row maybe the EPA will conduct some further testing and we can find out just how polluted the can really is.
As Walter Mudgen said, this isn't a popularity contest and there is no vote. I hope the EPA stands its ground and does what is right especially since their job isn't political.
Our neighborhood motto should be: Carroll Gardens - we put Chicago to shame.
Our neighborhood motto should be: Carroll Gardens - we put Chicago to shame.
The first cry that we heard from the opposition to Superfund was that it would take too long. Now we have this same group initiating the first of the delays. If the the Superfund cleanup does run into long delays, we all know who will be responsible for that.
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