The following, excellent summary of the recent CAG (Gowanus Canal Citizens Advisory Committee), written and submitted by one of our very own CORD co-founders, will hopefully give those of you who could not make it to that meeting it a good idea as to what transpired there.
CAG General Meeting October 25,2011
Held at Brooklyn Historical Society
Committee Reports:
ARCHEOLOGY COMMITTEE:
EPA will begin the development of the Archeological component of the Feasibility Study. The public was asked to submit any documents, maps, or other data or materials they may have which would enhance the study. Contact EPA Archeologist at Vetter.John@epamail.epa.gov.
Look for Angela Kramer Murphy’s new book on “The History of the Gowanus Canal.”
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE:
For anyone interested in joining the CAG :
Persons may contact CAG Facilitator directly who will direct member to gowanuscagop@gmail.com to obtain an application form . This form may also be obtained and filled independently. Upon submission of completed form the Administrative Committee will review and submit to the general CAG for review.
OUTREACH COMMITTEE:
National Grid and EPA are making every effort to keep the community involved in the progress of the clean up. There is consideration of a future CAG website and/or newsletter to reach out to the residents of the community who are not attending members of CAG.
WATER QUALITY AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE:
National Grid has provided a power point presentation to this committee. A site map has been posted at Public Place showing the areas of test wells and contamination results. More info can be found at http://www.citizensmapsite.com/. National Grid will be offering walking tours of Public Place in the near future.
The General Public is encouraged to attend the DEP Annual Meeting on Green Infrastructure. The DEP will show how the city manages and improves NY Waterways by retaining rainwater to reduce storm water overflows. Questions and recommendations from the public are encouraged. Check out the DEP website at www.nyc.gov/dep/greeninfrastuctue. Meeting will be at St. Francis College,180 Remsen St. on November 1st from 6 to 8 PM. Please make every effort to attend this important meeting.
National Grid Clean Up of Public Place:
Since all agencies, EPA, DEC, and DEP have agreed to work collaboratively , it is expected that work will proceed and a faster rate. The scheduled clean up proposed by National Grid is to replace the soil 8 feet below the surface; at the 6ft.level a plastic barrier will provide a shield then be topped with 2 feet of soil. A metal barrier of 50 ft. will separate Public Place and the Canal .
These recommendations did not sit well with most members of CAG. A discussion ensued but no decisions were made. The CAG and the surrounding community want this one time opportunity for a clean up to be accomplished in a proper and professional manner; to the highest degree achievable.
CORD
