Joint Letter to EPA on Gowanus Canal 8-2-2012

The Honorable Lisa Jackson, USEPA August 2, 2012 Page 1 August 2, 2012  The Honorable Lisa Jackson Administrator Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20460  Dear Administrator Jackson:       We write to voice support for your agency’s ongoing work to clean up the Gowanus Canal. Since Superfund designation in 2010, we have been impressed with the ambitious schedule that EPA Region 2 has held to in the remedial investigation and feasibility study phase.       We are confident that EPA Region 2 has the necessary expertise to direct this effort. The correct course of action for the canal should be dictated by the available scientific evidence, and we believe EPA’s work thus far has held to that principle. Further, we agree that additional control of combined sewer overflows - beyond what the City is currently committed to - will be necessary for a successful cleanup of the Gowanus. In coming weeks, it will be critical that EPA Region 2 maintains its leadership role and coordinates with the relevant agencies at the federal, state and city levels.       Reducing toxins and pollutants in this waterway will not only transform it from an environmental eyesore to a source of community pride, but also yield important public health benefits. For the thousands of working families that reside near this canal, remediation will reduce risk of exposure to harmful chemicals and other toxins. Thank you again for your agency’s hard work in this area. We look forward to continuing to support your efforts going forward.  Sincerely,  Nydia M. Velázquez  Member of Congress Joan Millman New York State Assemblywoman Velmanette Montgomery  New York State Senator Sara Gonzalez New York City Councilwoman Daniel Squadron New York State Senator Brad Lander New York City Councilman  Stephen Levin New York City Councilman Marty Markowitz Brooklyn Borough President   The Honorable Lisa Jackson, USEPA August 2, 2012 Page 2  cc: Robert Perciasepe, USEPA Deputy Administrator Mathy V. Stanislaus, USEPA Assistant Administrator Judith Enck, USEPA Regional Administrator, Region 2 Joseph Martens, NYSDEC Commissioner Carter H. Strickland Jr., NYCDEP Commissioner The Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group