Important: NYS DEC Just Released Proposed Remediation Plan For Former Fulton Municipal Works Site. Why You Should Care.

1928 photo of the former Fulton Municipal Works MGP site at Douglass Street, 

where Thomas Greene Park is now

Original Sandborne map of the MGP . Green line indicates site of the entire plant

Detail of what is now Thomas Greene Park

Double D pool at Douglas Greene Park

This past Friday, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released its proposed Environmental Remediation plan for the former Fulton Municipal Works Site near Douglass Street. DEC is asking the public to submit its comments on the plan by May 3rd, 2015 and will be holding a public meeting in regards to the clean-up on April 16th at 7 PM.

Why is this important to the Community?
The Fulton Municipal Works Site was one of three Manufacturing Gas Plants (MGP) operated by Brooklyn Union Gas on the banks of the Gowanus Canal. Coal and petroleum products were turned into flammable gas on these MGP sites. The gas was used for cooking, lighting, heating and commercial purposes in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, one of the by-products of this gasification process is coal tar, a black viscous liquid, which is harmful to the environment
The Fulton Site was in operation from 1879 to 1929. After it was decommissioned by Brooklyn Union Gas, it was never remediated. Eventually, Douglas Greene Park and the pool at Douglass Street were constructed over the former plant.
Today, the land underneath the park is still heavily contaminated with coal tar. Most of the contamination can be found in the area around and underneath the pool.

The responsibility for the clean-up falls on National, Grid, which bought Brooklyn Union Gas/Keyspan in 2006, The work will be done under the supervision of NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. 

Since some of the coal tar has been found to ooze from the site into the Gowanus Canal, the US Environmental Protection Agency, which declared the canal a Superfund site in 2010, is also involved.

EPA has named National Grid a Potential Responsible Party [PRP], which means that the company has to financially contribute to the Gowanus Canal clean-up.
It is important for National Grid to move forward with the remediation at the Fulton site to make sure that the coal tar present there does not continue to flow towards the Gowanus Canal and  re-contaminate it once it has been cleaned.

Why DEC's Proposed Remediation Plan does not seem to go far enough

According to DEC's announcement on the cleanup,  "the primary components of the remedy are the construction of a sealed wall along the western shoreline of the Gowanus Canal and the removal of any coal tar that accumulates behind it. 
And further,Contamination at Thomas Greene Park is well below ground and site structures that prevent public exposure."

Yes, you read that right. After ignoring the contamination for decades, the DEC is proposing to the community to build a wall along Nevins Street that would cut off the coal tar from flowing towards the canal. Any coal tar that accumulates behind that wall will be pumped out.

This  basically creates a barrier for the coal tar, but  it certainly does not seem to address in any significant way the contamination that will likey remain underneath the pool.  

DEC is basically asking the community to continue to live with the pollution, while they are allowing National Grid to kick the problem down the road.

Why would DEC ask the community to settle for less than what it is owed?

One can only guess why DEC would let National Grid get away with doing the least that they can do.

Perhaps, this is more about DEC covering New York City's back?

Bear with me.

In September 2013, the EPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD), which represents the finalized cleanup plan for the Gowanus Canal. In the ROD, EPA included the construction of two retention basins near two of the major outflows to significantly reduce the amount of Combined Sewage material that goes into the canal when it rains. 

The City of New York, as a PRP, has to pay for the tanks, a financial responsibility which it has not assumed gladly.

The EPA has suggested constructing the larger 8-million gallon tank underneath the pool at Douglass Green Park. The agency reasoned that the land was already owned by the City. Besides, the largest outflow, which is responsible for much of the raw sewage into the Gowanus, is at the head of the canal  at Douglass Street, near the park.
The EPA has told the community that the extend of the work to be done to remove the coal tar from the site may include digging up the pool. This could save the City money since installing the larger retention tank could potentially have been combined with National Grid's work.

Which brings us back to NYS DEC's  Proposed Remediation Plan for the Fulton Municipal Works Site.  Does DEC truly think that a wall and a couple of collection wells is enough to clean the site of coal tar? Can DEc really think the community is so gullible?

Somehow I can't shake the feeling that DEC is trying to cover for New York City.

Doesn't it seem strange that the DEC seems intent on giving New York City quite a disproportionate amount of space in its Friday statement, which reads in part:

"The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) recently completed an upgrade to the Gowanus sewage pumping station and is implementing green infrastructure projects that, together, reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges to the Canal by 44 percent. NYC DEP reconstructed and activated the Gowanus Flushing Tunnel, which now circulates over 250 million gallons of higher quality harbor water through the Canal each day, leading to dramatic improvement in water quality. NYC DEP is also developing a CSO Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) to integrate both Clean Water and Superfund goals for the Canal. The LTCP, which DEP must submit to DEC for review in June, will identify actions to further reduce CSO discharges and improve water quality in the Canal."

I don't l know about you, but DEC seems to be more aligned with the City than with the EPA.

Which is troublesome. Both DEC and DEP have had decades to clean the Gowanus Canal. Neither one of them obviously cared enough about the community or its health to do so.

The EPA seems to be the only agency that consistently advocates for the best, most comprehensive environmental clean-up for the people of Gowanus.

Let us hope that the EPA will continue to show DEC and DEP how its done.


Please join me at the DEC meeting on April 16th to learn more about this.


Below please find DEC's full press release on this action:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Remediation Plan 

for Site Adjacent to Gowanus Canal

Proposed Plan Would Clean Up Contamination at Fulton Municipal Works Site in Brooklyn

Public Meeting Scheduled for April 16; Comments Accepted through May 3

The public is invited to submit comments on a Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) to clean up contamination at the former Fulton Municipal Works site, adjacent to the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. DEC will also host a public meeting on the proposed cleanup of the former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site on April 16, at 7 p.m. at the Wyckoff Gardens Community Center meeting room, 280 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn.
The PRAP announced today applies to Operable Unit 1 (OU1) at the site, which includes the property on which the former MGP was located and neighboring properties where contamination is present east of the Gowanus Canal. The site is a principal source of contaminants to sediments in the upper Gowanus Canal. In addition, remedial investigations determined that coal tar from MGP operations at the site has spread in soils below the surface, including under a portion of Thomas Greene Park.
"The cleanup of the Gowanus Canal and adjacent properties is a collaborative effort among state, federal and city government and the private sector, to address sources of the contamination affecting the canal and nearby properties," DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. "This is another vital step to clean up the site and protect the canal, while minimizing disruptions to current community uses of these areas."
The April 16 public meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the proposed cleanup plan and provide comments. Written comments will also be accepted via mail or email until May 3. Comments may be submitted to:
Henry Willems
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Environmental Remediation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
henry.willems@dec.ny.gov
The proposed cleanup plan would accommodate current site uses and future redevelopment, and also aligns with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) remediation efforts to prevent recontamination of Gowanus Canal. National Grid, which formerly owned the site, will implement and pay for the cleanup. The primary components of the remedy are the construction of a sealed wall along the western shoreline of the Gowanus Canal and the removal of any coal tar that accumulates behind it. Excavation activities would occur in phases as properties are redeveloped and will not require closures or relocation of occupants or current site uses. Contamination at Thomas Greene Park is well below ground and site structures that prevent public exposure.
The PRAP is part of a multi-tiered approach DEC has taken to help clean up the Gowanus Canal and adjacent parcels. Under a Consent Order with DEC, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) recently completed an upgrade to the Gowanus sewage pumping station and is implementing green infrastructure projects that, together, reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges to the Canal by 44 percent. NYC DEP reconstructed and activated the Gowanus Flushing Tunnel, which now circulates over 250 million gallons of higher quality harbor water through the Canal each day, leading to dramatic improvement in water quality. NYC DEP is also developing a CSO Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) to integrate both Clean Water and Superfund goals for the Canal. The LTCP, which DEP must submit to DEC for review in June, will identify actions to further reduce CSO discharges and improve water quality in the Canal.

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On A Day Of Massive Flooding In Gowanus, Local Politicians Ask City To Evaluate Hydrological Impact Of Large Elevated Sites Like Lightstone Group's In Flood Prone Area

Rendering of proposed Lightstone Group's Project on shore of Gowanus Canal
image credit: Lightstone Group

It would seem appropriate that on a day that saw heavy rains and flash flooding in the Gowanus area, our elected officials sent a letter to City Hall to ask if the "potential for adverse hydrologic impacts upon surrounding properties resulting from re-grading of large sites within flood hazards areas" has fully been investigated.

In the letter addressed to Deputy Mayors Cas Holloway and Robert Steele yesterday , Councilmember Lander, Congresswoman Velázquez and State Senator Montgomery specifically mention the 12 story, 700-unit Lightstone Group's project at 363-365 Bond Street.

Lightstone intends to re-grade their building site by raising the site of the development by two feet at First Street to address FEMA's recently released post-Sandy Advisory Base Flood Elevations and to comply with changes to the Building Code.

Since the Gowanus Canal was originally engineered to drain the upland marshland surrounding the canal in order to keep water away from residences in Carroll Gardens and Park Slope, this change in hydrology raises serious concerns about flooding and drainage in the Gowanus area. It may mean more problems for nearby residents, who deal with flooded basements on an regular basis.

Lander, Velazquez and Montgomery are asking City Planning "if re-grading could-even in a limited set of circumstances- lead to such impacts, how will such impacts be evaluated?
For example, would the Department Of Buildings confer with the Department of Environmental Protection before approving building permits for a re-graded site in a flood hazard area, such as that planned for 363-365 Bond Street?"

Further, Lander, Velazquez and Montgomery believe that " it would be better to bring all stakeholders to the table to develop a comprehensive plan for the infrastructure, flood protection, and land use regulations needed for a safe, vibrant, and sustainable Canal area. We should seize this opportunity to create an innovative model for low-lying, mixed-use waterfront areas on a warming planet."

It is encouraging that our Electeds recognize the hydrological impact to surrounding areas if developers like Lightstone's are allowed to re-grade the Gowanus area.

We need a new hydrological study before any new development moves forward.

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Hurricane Sandy's Aftermath: Gowanus Business Owners Concerned About Toxic Sludge Left Behind After Canal Flood Waters Receded

(credit: google maps)

Due to their location on the banks of the Gownus Canal several businesses, most of them film production companies, have endured severe flooding during Hurricane Sandy.   Though the three and a half feet of water have now receded from the Douglas Street block were they are housed, the owners of Canal Creatures, CW Films, Eastern Effects, Camera Farm, Scrap Paper Productions, Alex Sullivan Audio, Papa, and PMC Digital are very concerned about the toxic compounds and raw sewage that were mixed in the water and are now coating everything.  Since the Gowanus Canal was declared a Superfund site by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency, these concerns are understandable.
Here is a link to a video showing the damage and sludge left behind after the storm.

Kevin Howard, Production Manager and Co-owner of Canal Creatures Production writes:

"It is a horror show, with smells that we have never encountered before, even after years of living and working along the banks of the canal. NO ONE understands what the long-term effects will be of a SuperFund site having been stirred up and spread all over the Gowanus neighborhood. The many contaminants of this site have been resuspended in the flood water and are now in everything that has been soaked by the flood!

 Mark Bracamonte, Production Creature at Canal Creatures described the situation facing these businesses:

Our building has been sealed shut, and multiple film production business have been displaced and are now out of business. The EPA came down, only after many harassing calls from us. They came and took samples saying they would have results in 8 hours. That was 3 days ago. We still have no word.
There is ZERO neighborhood awareness about the potential health risks the area is facing. People are digging through contaminated trash, and debris with NO GLOVES and proper gear. IT IS SHOCKING THAT THE C TOWN GROCERY SUPERMARKET ON BOND AND DOUGLASS IS OPEN AND SELLING FOOD when we know they had the same toxic flood water as we did."

Some of the businesses have fund temporary quarters at Film Biz Recycling, the Gowanus recycling/prop rental center, where they "will figure out [their] strategy for dealing with this immediate situation."
They have also shared their neighborhood story online on a Tumblr blog here: canalcreatures.tumblr.com

In an interview on the blog, Chris Hayes, principal partner at Eastern Effects states:

"We had a devastating flood like everyone else in the community. We have gotten no help from any government agency as of yet. No information that has been coherent as to what steps we should take, no one is telling us if the area is safe to inhabit, what we are being exposed to. No one has any answers. You kind of get the run around when we call anybody, I kind of feel like we have been left for dead out here, I mean, I have millions of dollars in inventory that’s sitting rotting now because we cant figure out what to do about it, if I’m even supposed to be in the building or not. There’s little snippets of information that are conflicting, so I feel like it’s every man for himself around here in this area. ….We built our business in this area, built up the community, and every one has abandoned us. It’s heart breaking, there’s no words that can express my sorrow that has happened to me and my partners here. It’s just a bad situation."

In the meantime, Councilman Brad Lander released this statement:

"Many of you have contacted me with concerns about the Gowanus Canal, a highly polluted waterway, which flooded neighboring streets. I have communicated with EPA Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck and NYC Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Carter Strickland. Thanks to both of them for making the time, and communicating quickly (with each other, and with me) about our concerns at the canal.If you live near the canal, do not touch standing water in the area, or any sediment or debris left by Gowanus flood-waters."

At a press conference after Hurricane Sandy, Mayor Bloomberg and Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway seemed flippant about the dangers associated with the health risks from Gowanus flood waters. When asked about the health risks related to the toxic water, Cas Holloway, who is more familiar to the Gowanus community as the former head of NYC's Department Of Environmental Protection (DEP) and, along with Mayor Bloomberg, a vocal opponent of the Superfund designation for the canal stated: "We’ll make sure that–we don’t think there’s any immediate danger to anybody and we don’t think there’s any issue.”

However, I just received an email from David Green, a science teacher, who raises the alarm on the dangers associated with the toxins. He writes:

"I am a science teacher with a background in Chemistry and Physics living in Brooklyn Heights.I saw your post on the flooding from the Gowanus canal.
The situation you describe is quite serious concerning the toxicological hazard from that particular flood. All the flooding in NY produced some hazard because of the sewage mixed with the flood water (particularly bad in red hook), but the Gowanus waters are leaden with Lead and Mercury, and dangerous volatiles too.
Sewage can be cleaned and sterilized with detergent and chlorine bleach, but if toxic water and sludge gets into a basement (or first floor) there is no way to clean it out completely. Wooden floors and even concrete absorb it and leave residues that cannot be removed.

Note: In areas that have been contaminated with lead and mercury compounds Chlorine bleach (such as Chlorox) could have the unintended consequence of turning non soluble compounds into more soluble ones making exposure risks greater, so bleach should not be used in Gowanus flooded areas.

The long term dangers of these toxins are so great that I would recommend to all people who lived in a dwelling that got flooded by the Gowanus (basements and first floor apartments that got filled with this water), to notmove back in to their apartments.
This is even more the case for people who have children. The younger the child the more damage is done by heavy metal poisoning, and the damage is essentially permanent. This damage can take years to accumulate in the nervous system but once done cannot be remedied. It does not take much to cause damage- the amount a child ingests by putting their hands in their mouth is more than enough. Some of these chemicals produce continuous vapors which makes it impossible to avoid exposure.

I would strongly advise people with children especially babies and toddlers to not move back in, until the apartment is cleaned and then tested for these chemicals. If levels are above those set for safe exposure they should find someplace else to live.
I know that this could cause utter disruption of peoples lives, but disruption of living plans is better than permanent neurological damage."

This is probably the best advice. The Gowanus Canal is a toxic brew on a good day. Hurricane Sandy's flood waters certainly deposited hazardous substances and sewage in businesses and homes on the banks of the Gowanus. I am frankly surprised that we don't have people in Hazmat suits controlling the situation.

   

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