Sunday, November 6, 2011

Magnificat Gowanus: Environmental Toxic Sound Piece Recently Completed

Hello from CORD!

This just in:

Interdisciplinary/Communty Engaged Artist: Susan Handler and Sound Artist: Gian Luigi Diana have recently completed their interdisciplinary piece called:
"Magnificat Gowanus: Environmental Toxic Sound" inspired by the Gowanus Canal toxic contamination

They write:
"The Gowanus Canal, an EPA SuperFund Site directly across the East River from Wall Street in NYC, is one of America's Most Toxic Waterways right in the heart of Brooklyn."

This frankly provocative piece can be viewed/heard at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syBxPMJOC7o&feature=player_embedded#!

As some of you might be remember, Susan and I co-created the Airborne Contaminants Mask Project/Workshop (Fall 2009) at the former, Starting Artists, after school location on Smith Street addressing the Gowanus Canal contamination;

and the Scarring Our Water Project (Spring 2010) outdoor multi-media artwork inspired by the overall, New York waterways pollution, and was installed on Governors Island by CORD volunteers in the Found on Governors Island Exhibition.

Enjoy!
Triada Samaras

Saturday, November 5, 2011

SUMMARY: CAG General Meeting October 25,2011

Hello from CORD!

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

CORD HISTORY:

With the "Protect Our Homes" petition, CORD was formed in May, 2007. This petition arose as an overwhelmingly negative response to the coming of the over-sized 360 Smith Street Development at the corner of Smith Street and Second Place (Aka Oliver House; aka 131 Second Place). This petition, which had well over three thousand signatures, led to a new zoning text amendment in summer of 2008.

To: Our Elected Officials, Community Leaders, The MTA:
(MAY, 2007)

We the undersigned Carroll Gardens homeowners and residents, are appalled by the "as of right" ruling which allows owners and developers to erect buildings in our neighborhood with no regard to the impact they will present to our quality of life and the value of our homes........

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?crlgrdns