Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Lander says NO! Lightstone says YES! Brand New Housing in the Path of Next Toxic Storm Surge??


Hello from CORD


Does it make sense to build even more in Zone A along the Gowanus Canal Corridor?  Does it make sense for our City to rubber stamp 700 units of new housing along the Gowanus Canal this week?  To place brand new housing in what will undoubtedly be, (based on the extreme weather conditions we have already seen at the canal over the past three years), the path of NEXT toxic storm surge?? 

CORD SAYS: NO! 

COUNCILMAN LANDER SAY NO!

CB 6 said NO!  then YES!  in a stunning and frankly suspicious reversal that flip flopped the recommendations of its own land use committee!

LIGHTSTONE SAYS:  YES!

Please let Councilman Lander know your thoughts on this urgent community development matter.

CORD

Monday, November 12, 2012

Brand New Housing in the Path of Next Toxic Storm Surge??

Hello from CORD


Below you will find some much needed information:
A statement from the EPA regarding cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy; 
the Hurricane Sandy Sampling Results taken by the EPA;  
and the NY State Sea Level Rise Report.  
This information pertains directly to the Superfund designated Gowanus Canal that just flooded our community causing hardships for so many of us. 

Does it make sense to build even more in Zone A along the Gowanus Canal Corridor?  Does it make sense for our City to rubber stamp 700 units of new housing along the Gowanus Canal this week?  To place brand new housing in what will undoubtedly be, (based on the extreme weather conditions we have already seen at the canal over the past three years), the path of NEXT toxic storm surge?? 

We do not think so!  Please read below.


Statement from the United States Environmental Protection Agency 


CLEANING UP AFTER HURRICANE SANDY

Gowanus Canal Area

November 2, 2012 
On October 29, 2012, during Hurricane Sandy, a portion of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, New York overtopped its banks, causing the flooding of some area residences and businesses. The water receded after the storm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency immediately conducted a visual inspection of the length of the canal and the surrounding area and did not observe sediment on the streets. The EPA also collected samples of standing water from several buildings and will make the results public as soon as they are available. 

The Gowanus Canal is contaminated by PCBs, coal tar waste, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and bacteria from many years of industrial discharges, spills, storm water runoff and combined sewer overflows. The site was added to the federal EPA Superfund list of the nation's most contaminated sites in March 2010. 

If you live near the Gowanus Canal and experienced flooding from the canal during the storm, there are simple steps to follow in cleaning up: 

Remove or pump out standing water.
Use bleach to kill germs 

Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles.
Open windows and doors to get fresh air when you use bleach. 
Clean hard things with soap and water. Then clean with a mix of 1 cup of household liquid bleach in 5 gallons of water. Use bleach that does not have an added scent (like lemon). Scrub rough surfaces with a stiff brush and air dry.
If you don't have household liquid bleach, use soap and water.
NEVER mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.

Wash clothes worn during cleanups in hot water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately than uncontaminated clothes. 

Hurricane Sandy Sampling Results

On October 31, 2012, EPA took 4 samples in the Gowanus Canal area. Samples were taken from the ground floors of two buildings that had been flooded as well as directly from the canal. One of the buildings is located at the head of the canal, and the other near the 3rd street turning basin.
Samples of flood water from the ground floors of the two buildings were analyzed for bacteria and 139 different chemicals within the following categories: metals, volatile organic compounds, petroleum related compounds and semi-volatile organic compounds. Semi-volatile organic compound include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs, which are the primary contaminants in Gowanus Canal sediment.

Levels of bacteria were high. While this type of bacteria becomes inactive over time, these findings reinforce the need for people to protect themselves when cleaning up flood waters that contain sewage and therefore contain bacteria. Fact sheets detailing the precautions people should take when cleaning flood waters can be found at http://www.epa.gov/sandy/.
The remaining four categories of pollutants were compared to health based values of drinking water quality. Chemicals that were tested were below levels of concern or not detected.
Low levels of gasoline and diesel derivatives were found, consistent with road run-off which often contains traces of fuel.

Levels of semi-volatile organic compounds were very low or not detected. These compounds include PAHs, which are a primary contaminant in the sediments at the bottom of the canal. The presence of some PAHs at low levels may also be related to spilled fuel and run off from asphalt.
Levels of most volatile organic compounds and metals were very low or not at levels that could be detected.

Levels of metals included some slight exceedances of drinking water standards. In the case of lead, its presence may be related to past lead usage in gasoline, typical to an urban environment.

Here are the complete results of the sampling
http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/gowanus/sandysampling.pdf





p. 44
Public Health 

Storm surges and other flooding events can cause injury and death. They can also generate a host of more persistent environmental health hazards, including bacterial, fungal and chemical contamination of drinking water sources, sewage and solid waste system disruption, hazardous materials releases, and increased or displaced populations of insects, rodents and other disease vectors.


Typical land‐use planning and permitting processes and public‐health policies seldom explicitly address the public-health implications of development in areas at high risk for flooding. During and after floods, the imperative to restore the statuesque as quickly as possible can interfere with efforts to identify and address less obvious problems, such as newly contaminated soil or housing. In fact, lack of specific information, data and analysis regarding post‐storm vulnerability to flood‐dispersed contamination represents a significant public health concern for coastal communities. Recovery can be further hampered by gaps in understanding of risk factors and treatments for post‐flood disease outbreaks.

CORD
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Gowanus Canal Extreme Weather Report: Tornado 2010; Hurricane Irene 2011; Hurricane Sandy 2012; WHAT IS NEXT???

Hello from CORD!

Here is the Extreme Weather Report Update for the Gowanus Canal:

In just two years the Gowanus Canal (and elsewhere in Brooklyn) have seen two hurricanes and one tornado!  What kind of weather is next for the Gowanus Canal?

First there was:

the NYC Tornado 2010
http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2010/09/holly-crap-last-weeks-severe-storm.html
(Leading to the Poo Poo Tsunami)


Gowanus Canal after the NYC Tornado 2010
Photo Credit:  Katia Kelly


Second there was:

Hurricane Irene 2011 
http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2011/08/hurricane-irene-likely-to-cause-big.html





Above Pics: Gowanus Canal from the Carroll Street Bridge
 Hurricane Irene 2011


Third there was:

Hurricane Sandy 2012

http://carrollgardenspetition.blogspot.com/2012/10/pre-hurricane-gowanus-canal-flooding.html

http://carrollgardenspetition.blogspot.com/2012/10/horrific-flooding-of-gowanus-canal-last.html










Above Pics: Gowanus Canal from the Carroll Street Bridge
 Hurricane Sandy 2012

WHAT IS NEXT?????


CORD

Friday, November 9, 2012

Gowanus Canal Flooding Videos during Hurricane Sandy

Hello from CORD!

Here are two VERY compelling videos taken as the Superfunded Gowanus Canal overflowed into our area during Hurricane Sandy. They clearly depict both the force, and the wide extent of the flooding waters, especially along Bond Street at the crossings of Second Street, Carroll Street and Unions Street.  Many residents and businesses were left with this same water and toxic and a toxic sludge sitting in their basements after Hurricane Sandy.  Others had to remove debris left by the Gowanus Canal on sidewalks, roadways, and yards
Many  report not knowing how to safely clean up after the Superfund water reached them.


Sandy Surge Floods Bond Street Gownaus Brooklyn
Don't Build here!

The second flooding video can be found here

The NY Times has printed an article on the topic of the Superfunded Gowanus canal flooding: "In Brooklyn, Worrying About Not Only Flooding but Also What’s in Water"

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/06/nyregion/gowanus-canal-flooding-brings-contamination-concerns.html?pagewanted=all

And David Green, the Brooklyn Heights science teacher who offered suggestions on cleaning up the Gowanus Canal flooding aftermath that we posted at CORD earlier at http://carrollgardenspetition.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-should-residents-clean-up-after.html
has left a new comment with his warnings at the PMFA blog:


"There are two issues:
1) sewage which contains bacteria and viruses which could make your family sick (hepatitis ,strep and staph infections etc)."

"2) chemicals such as lead mercury and PCB’s which could have severe long term health effects.  If your apartment or house was flooded with Gowanus water and sludge, it definitely has the first and may have the second. There is no way to know about the concentrations of chemicals (some of which produce vapors that ensure getting a dose), without appropriate lab tests. Heavy metals are easy to test for and every environmental lab has the equipment to run those tests.  I would certainly not return to such a dwelling especially with children until such tests were made."

"If your house was not flooded but you are worrying about the air quality the same applies but it is not as urgent. Most bacteria and viruses do not get into the air even if the air stinks from sewage.  Chemical vapors may be present to some degree, and again the only way to know if levels are safe is for the air to be tested.  You must get the DEP and whatever other agencies involved. Write a letter to the mayors office and the times it may motivate them."

He left his email address in the comment section of this PMFA story for people to contact him with other questions.

CORD





Thursday, November 8, 2012

A POO POO Tsunami hits the the Gowanus Canal and other crappy news.


Q. How much potentially infectious POO POO is in the Gowanus Canal?
A. In two words: A LOT!
More POO POO (a.k.a. raw sewage) than most of us ever want to know about.

In fact you can see a video of what is fondly called "The Gowanus Canal Poo Poo Tsunami Number Two" in Carroll Gardens/Gowanus right here: 
http://www.doobybrain.com/2010/09/27/video-of-raw-sewage-spilling-into-the-gowanus-canal/  But only watch it if you have a strong stomach and did not just eat.


In fact, the Gowanus Canal has the highest level of sewage of all the NYC waterways combined INCLUDING the Superfund designated Newtown Creek.  (See chart below*).


This water should never be touched with bare hands ESPECIALLY NOT after a hurricane like the one we just had, Sandy.  Even the NYC Department of Health previously warned our community not to drink it;  not to swallow it;  not to swim in it;  not to fish in it;  not to eat the fish from it;  and to take "proper precautions" in case we have touched it, gotten it in our eyes; etc.

Is SEWAGE dangerous to humans?  In another word:  YES. 
Sewage carries bacteria and viruses that can make humans very sick.  This is bad news for our community, both residents and businesses along the Gowanus Canal, especially after a major flooding of the Gowanus Canal like we just experienced.

"What are the risks associated with the discharge of raw sewage?
Raw sewage can carry a variety of human bacteria and viruses.  Depending on the amount and concentration of the sewage and on how people are exposed to it, these bacteria and viruses can cause illness. Combined sewer overflows (CSO's) also contain a variety of chemicals, oils and other wastes picked up by stormwater as it flows across parking lots, roads, lawns and other surfaces. Most combined sewer overflows occur during rain and are therefore diluted by rain and river water, but the potential for health and environmental hazards is still present. People most likely to be affected are water skiers, swimmers and others involved in water sports."

"Most waterborne disease-causing microorganisms come from human and animal fecal waste. A small drop of fecal matter can contain millions of microorganisms of many types, some of which are disease-causing pathogens. Exposure to the microbial pathogens found in sewage can lead to short-term and chronic illnesses."
"The most common types of waterborne illnesses are short-term gastrointestinal infections that cause stomachaches and/or diarrhea. The elderly, children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of contracting chronic illnesses from sewage-contaminated water."
"A survey by the Center for Disease Control reported over 4,000 documented illnesses from recreational waters in the U.S. in 2005-2006. However this number is assumed to be low because waterborne illnesses are notoriously underreported. People often associate the most common ailments, stomach and digestive system problems, with what they ate for lunch instead of contact with water. Still, reports of illness resulting from swimming are on the rise." 

* "Riverkeeper, New York's clean water advocate, was out last Friday, November 2nd, to sample the waters after Hurricane Sandy. They just published the results of these tests. They show that the Gowanus Canal had the highest sewage level by far. Though we all know that Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO's) is dumped into the canal during heavy rains, it is important to note that Hurricane Sandy, though destructive, was not a significant rain event. In comparison to the Gowanus findings after the storm, even Newtown Creek's numbers came in fairly low.  Riverkeeper will be out again on Friday, November 9th to take additional samples."  PMFA
http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2012/11/results-from-riverkeepers-new-york.html


*Sewage contamination levels at 6 of our standard sampling sites on 11/2/12
water quality data - November 2012
water quality key 35
Q.

Did you know the City of NY does NOT want to clean the water of the Gowanus Canal, only the sediment?

A.  Now you do!

CORD

Monday, November 5, 2012

SHOULD residents remove the Superfunded Gowanus Canal gunk/floodwaters/flood debris left by Hurricane Sandy themselves? HOW???


 
MOP ????  and/or ???

SHOULD the residents of:  Carroll Gardens/Gowanus/Boerum Hill/Red Hook
remove the Superfunded Gowanus Canal gunk/floodwaters/flood debris left by Hurricane Sandy themselves?  HOW??

A science teacher in Brooklyn Heights writes to the author of the PMFA blog:



".....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." PMFA

CORD has also heard from Catherine Zinnel:


From: Catherine Zinnel - District Director
Office of Councilmember Brad Lander

###

Statement from the United States Environmental Protection Agency

CLEANING UP AFTER HURRICANE SANDY
Gowanus Canal Area
November 2, 2012

On October 29, 2012, during Hurricane Sandy, a portion of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, New York overtopped its banks, causing the flooding of some area residences and businesses. The water receded after the storm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency immediately conducted a visual inspection of the length of the canal and the surrounding area and did not observe sediment on the streets. The EPA also collected samples of standing water from several buildings and will make the results public as soon as they are available.

The Gowanus Canal is contaminated by PCBs, coal tar waste, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and bacteria from many years of industrial discharges, spills, storm water runoff and combined sewer overflows. The site was added to the federal EPA Superfund list of the nation’s most contaminated sites in March 2010.

If you live near the Gowanus Canal and experienced flooding from the canal during the storm, there are simple steps to follow in cleaning up:
  • Remove or pump out standing water.
  • Use bleach to kill germs
  • Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles.
  • Open windows and doors to get fresh air when you use bleach.
  • Clean hard things with soap and water. Then clean with a mix of 1 cup of household liquid bleach in 5 gallons of water. Use bleach that does not have an added scent (like lemon). Scrub rough surfaces with a stiff brush and air dry.
  • If you don’t have household liquid bleach, use soap and water.
  • NEVER mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
  • Wash clothes worn during cleanups in hot water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately than uncontaminated clothes. 
I hope this information is helpful and please don't hesitate to contact me at 
718-499-1090 with any questions.

CORD

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Mayor Bloomberg and Deputy Mayor Cas Holloway say a whole lot of NOTHING re: Gowanus Canal Flooding and A Very Anxious Mother writes to CORD



 The Gowanus Canal at Second Street c. Triada Samaras

Cas Holloway and Mayor Bloomberg have said a whole lot of NOTHING in their response to the environmental situation caused by the Superfunded Gowanus Canal flooding during Hurricane Sandy last Monday.  "Not to worry your little Brooklyn heads off heads off folks!" pretty much sums up their non-response to our disaster. LINK

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
http://politicker.com/2012/10/gowanus-canal-flood-risks-bloomberg/, 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.” LINK

Does this sound like an appropriate response to our situation?  We are living in the toxic flood aftermath of a EPA designated Superfund site right here in Brooklyn.  We had a flood of five feet of highly contaminated Gowanus Canal water during Hurricane Sandy and toxic sludge has been left behind with highly dangerous chemicals including oil, PCB's, coal tar wastes, E coli, gonorrhea, heavy metals, and raw sewage. This is one of the most contaminated waterways in America:  an open sewer in the heart of a densely populated neighborhood directly across from Wall Street. Here is a link to a video showing the damage and sludge left behind after the storm. 
Flag flies today on Second Street c. Triada Samaras
We feel a much more appropriate response from those we elected to be in charge and to spend our tax dollars and represent us would have been to warn people living or walking anywhere near the Superfunded Gowanus Canal flood waters:  to avoid having any contact with both these dangerous flood waters and the debris brought in by the flood. A public warning and a public plan would have provided much needed information to the Carroll Gardens/Gowanus residents on how to manage in the Gowanus Canal area after Hurricane Sandy.

Where were the warnings to the people in our neighborhood?  Where were the cleaning crews to scrub up the areas where there was toxic canal sludge spewed up from the Gowanus?  Why were the City’s several environmental  agencies so silent?   And if these city agencies did plan to do something after Hurricane Sandy shouldn't the community have been made aware of what plans they had for our community?

 Superfunded Gowanus Canal Debris debris brought in by Hurricane Sandy 
c. Triada Samaras
This is the perfect time to point out that thus City administration is GUNG HO on putting new developments on the banks of the Gowanus Canal where Hurricane Sandy just inflicted its force upon the Gowanus Canal.  As this blog is written today, there is a hearing planned at the City Planning Commission tomorrow morning that will come to decision on the Lightstone Development (LINK) a 7oo unit development set on the banks of the Gowanus Canal. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/luproc/reviewsession.pdf

And even if the canal can be succesfully remedied, and even if the City of New York has its way, the Gowanus Canal will still not be sewage free.  As of this moment, the City of NY is seeking the least costly remediation for the Gowanus Canal which mean that the hazardous conditions that exist in the canal will not be thoroughly addressed.  Key toxic compounds and horrific pathogen levels will still exist in the Gowanus Canal after the EPA leaves this Superfund site if the NYC's minimal clean-up plan is accepted.  This means that the contaminated Gowanus Canal floodwaters will come over the banks of the canal once again in the next big storm.

And, even if there is a more through addressing of the combined sewar overflow (CSO's) as per the Gowanus CAG/Citizen Advisory Group's resolution calling for a FULL clean-up of the Gowanus Canal, including the CSO's, the Canal will still be at risk for flooding in the future as Hurricane Sandy has shown us.  It is no secret that the Gowanus Canal Corridors are designated: Zone A, or a floodplain as defined by NYC.

Meanwhile an anxious mother living in New England, miles away from the Gowanus Canal, seems to have a better grasp of the situation than either Deputy Mayor Calloway or Mayor Bloomberg.  Below she writes in to CORD, expressing her worry about her daughter, who lives in the Gowanus Canal  area:

"Dear CG CORD Members:

I am so sorry for the Superfunded Canal flooding into in your neighborhood.  Thank God you people are trying to stay on top of this.  I do not know how much you can do to get the people in charge to come put there.  You need to have someone in charge to comedown there and test and to alert  people how dangerous it is for everyone!

You have to be sure people  that live in the area  know what is going on  and you people have to get this in the newspaper and on the news!!!  Hopefully, somehow you get attention immediately!  I would even go so far and get money and put an add in the N.Y. Times.  There a lot of wealthy people there. You might get attention from the authorities!

I feel awful for all of all of you. And especially for you and all the others who have been working so hard on this canal issue flooding issue. It has to be so frustrating for all of you all.  Feel very sorry and scared for all of you.  Shame on the authorities for shutting their eyes and not  listening to you all and not CARING!

Let me know what happens.
Sending many hugs,
XXXX’s Mom

And this just In From Councilman Lander’s Office:

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Catherine Zinnel <zinnel.catherine@gmail.com>
To: Gardens Carrroll <CGNA@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 4, 2012 1:52 PM
Subject: [CGNA] Fwd: Update regarding flooding near the Gowanus Canal - EPA teams out today

Hi everyone,
As you may have seen on Councilmember Lander's twitter feed, technical teams from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have just arrived at the Gowanus Canal to assess damage and any environmental impacts of Hurricane Sandy. They will also be distributing copies of the attached flyers. 

The team is now at the north end of the canal and will be walking south over the next hour or so. We will send out updates over twitter and facebook as we receive them. 

Catherine Zinnel - District Director
Office of Councilmember Brad Lander
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