Bravo to State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, for being the lone voice of reason amongst our elected officials regarding the designation of the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site.In the letter below, which the State Senator sent to Dennis Munhall, of the U.S. EPA, she expresses her concern about the building of housing on contaminated land, especially the Public Place site, and stated that she supports the designation of the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund.
The State Senator is showing clear leadership, following her conscience for which she has earned my admiration. Let us hope that our other elected officials will follow her lead, especially her colleague in the State Senate, Daniel Squadron.
Below is Sate Senator Montgomery's letter.
Mr. Dennis Munhall
United States Environmental Protection Agency
290 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
Dear Mr. Munhall;
I would first like to thank the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for extending the comment period for the proposed Superfund designation of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. This issue is of critical importance and many residents and businesses wish to make considered statements. I am grateful the EPA clearly appreciates the importance of the depth of local concern.
Since one-half of the Gowanus Canal lies within the 18th New York Senate District, the development and health of the area, for both the current and future residents and businesses are my top priorities. While the economic development of this artery is crucial to the future of New York City sustainable, healthy development is only possible in a sustainable, healthy environment.
Much of the development proposed for the areas surrounding the Gowanus Canal, such as the Public Place project, envision much needed affordable housing with parks and playgrounds for the families living there. However I cannot in good conscience support development on contaminated land. The area must be made safe for current and future generations.
Therefore I support the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal and its designation as a Superfund site. However there are a number of questions and concerns that I would like to have addressed prior to designation.
Please describe your proposed project management plan for coordinating the City, State, and Federal remediation and reclamation efforts. Please clarify particularly:
-How will the Superfund and local operations involve the water in the canal, the accumulated sediments, and the surrounding soil? What will be the degree of remediation?
-How will the Superfund designation impact requirements for new York City to address problems stemming from Combined Sewage Overflows? To what extent will Superfund designation address the CSO repair efforts? Will the Superfund process work in partnership and hopefully expedite the efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers?
-How will contaminants be removed or remediated? Will it be by barge or truck, and how will the surrounding community be protected during the removal and transport process?
-What is the anticipated structure for ongoing community participation within the process?
-What is the anticipated funding schedule and mechanism for the cleanup?
I further request:
-An expedited schedule for the cleanup and remediation efforts.
-That the Federal government guarantee the money necessary for the cleanup effort, and not wait for the acquisition of penalty money from polluters. This community has already waited decades. It cannot wait any longer.
I would first like to thank the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for extending the comment period for the proposed Superfund designation of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. This issue is of critical importance and many residents and businesses wish to make considered statements. I am grateful the EPA clearly appreciates the importance of the depth of local concern.
Since one-half of the Gowanus Canal lies within the 18th New York Senate District, the development and health of the area, for both the current and future residents and businesses are my top priorities. While the economic development of this artery is crucial to the future of New York City sustainable, healthy development is only possible in a sustainable, healthy environment.
Much of the development proposed for the areas surrounding the Gowanus Canal, such as the Public Place project, envision much needed affordable housing with parks and playgrounds for the families living there. However I cannot in good conscience support development on contaminated land. The area must be made safe for current and future generations.
Therefore I support the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal and its designation as a Superfund site. However there are a number of questions and concerns that I would like to have addressed prior to designation.
Please describe your proposed project management plan for coordinating the City, State, and Federal remediation and reclamation efforts. Please clarify particularly:
-How will the Superfund and local operations involve the water in the canal, the accumulated sediments, and the surrounding soil? What will be the degree of remediation?
-How will the Superfund designation impact requirements for new York City to address problems stemming from Combined Sewage Overflows? To what extent will Superfund designation address the CSO repair efforts? Will the Superfund process work in partnership and hopefully expedite the efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers?
-How will contaminants be removed or remediated? Will it be by barge or truck, and how will the surrounding community be protected during the removal and transport process?
-What is the anticipated structure for ongoing community participation within the process?
-What is the anticipated funding schedule and mechanism for the cleanup?
I further request:
-An expedited schedule for the cleanup and remediation efforts.
-That the Federal government guarantee the money necessary for the cleanup effort, and not wait for the acquisition of penalty money from polluters. This community has already waited decades. It cannot wait any longer.
-An assurance that the Superfund remediation process will not interrupt current remediation programs being conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers, the City and State of New York, and others. Ideally these efforts will be optimally coordinated to speed the recovery of this contaminated area.
I thank you for your consideration and look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery
NYS 18th Senate District
I thank you for your consideration and look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery
NYS 18th Senate District
cc:
Honorable Nydia Velasquez, 12th New York Congressional District
Honorable Yvette Clarke, 11th New York Congressional District
Honorable Daniel Squadron, 25th New York Senate District
Honorable Joan Millman, 52nd New York Assembly District
Honorable Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York
Honorable Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President
Honorable Nydia Velasquez, 12th New York Congressional District
Honorable Yvette Clarke, 11th New York Congressional District
Honorable Daniel Squadron, 25th New York Senate District
Honorable Joan Millman, 52nd New York Assembly District
Honorable Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York
Honorable Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President
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5 comments:
The senator is a true beacon of hope for all who care about our health and safety. State Senator Montgomery and Congresswoman Velazquez have demonstrated effective political leadership and should be commended for their early support.
They have earned my support in their next elections. Conversely, for those elected representatives on the sidelines, I will seek other candidates who are willing to fight and defend my community.
THANK YOU State Senator and Congresswoman!!
Thank you Senator!
You continue to ignore the fact that the City, Nationall Grid and private developers are participating in the NY State cleanup program to remediate Gowanus property and add significant affordable housing to our community.
Please continue to place your head in the sand as you vote on not bailing out our mass transit system and fail to get a dime of state funds allocated to our community!
thank you
Anonymous (2): if you actually think you can clean part of an incredibly polluted canal, leave other parts contaminated, build homes and playgrounds, and expect everything to just work out, like the contamination won't spread, well...how long have you been drinking out of the Gowanus, now? 'Cause your brains are rotting!
Learn a little bit about hydrology, physics, and BTW, the way the Superfund program actually works. None of the existing programs will be shut down. Additional programs may have to start in order to insure the cleanup process isn't just a whitewash.
And as for bailing out mass transit, you really haven't been paying any attention to what Senator Montgomery's been doing in that fight, have you? What's that line about "Beauty" and "Stupid?" which one is skin deep and which goes straight through to the bone? Oh, yeah...
Thank you Senator Montgomery!!!
I hope our other electeds will follow your lead and develop a conscience.
Montgomery?
On Wednesday she signed a statement supporting saving Long Island College Hospital.
On Friday she signed a letter supporting SUNY's plans to close and develop apartments at Long Island College Hospital.
No longer trustworthy.
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