A quick update on the CAG Land Use Committee meeting held on June 11, 2018 at 543 Union Street at 8 PM.
There were two major topics of discussion. The first was about the Upcoming re zoning of Gowanus along with the impact of the retention tank designs* on that re zoning.
A committee, unrelated to the CAG, was previously formed by NYC Councilman Steve Levin - The Gowanus Envisioning Committee - made up of an assortment of local groups, businesses and residents.
Notably absent from this committee are the FROGGS, a long standing, outstanding advocate for the canal and the surrounding area. Makes one wonder what type of “envisioning” is ultimately being sought when such an icon of an advocacy group for the area is not part of the process...
Peter Reich, a Gowanus resident, having previously been named as an Envisioning Committee member before last week’s Land Use meeting will also wear the CAG representative’s hat on Envisioning.
We requested and received Peter’s commitment that he will serve as an unbiased CAG representative. We are certain he will.
This brings us to the retention tank/head house design which according to the agreement between the City and the EPA, must be submitted by the Gowanus Superfund’s main PRP, the City of New York, to the EPA, for ultimate approval.
*An important note here - it should not be forgotten that the agreement stipulates that two (2) designs for two (2) separate possible tank locations must be submitted simultaneously for approval. One design submission for the NYC preferred site at the head of the canal and one for the EPA preferred (and much less costly) location under the DD pool in Thomas Greene Park. (Remember that the pool will be dug up for much needed sub pool de contamination and later replaced no matter which location is chosen).
So, there was much discussion when all was said and done about asking for a timeline from the EPA regarding design approval given its potential impact on the area being rezoned.
CORD has always found the EPA perfectly willing to not only provide a timeline but to stick to it - often even surpassing its own goals.
So, we are not as interested in speed as we are curious to know where BOTH designs are in the process.
We are not as interested in speed as we are in the most beneficial, environmentally responsible and public health safety conscious end result possible -
We now, as always have complete faith in the EPA. We don’t worry about their work ethics or their commitment to our neighborhood.
The PRP City - not so much.
We look forward to hearing what EPA Project Manager Christos Tsiamis has to share with us this coming Tuesday, June 26 at Mary Star of the Sea, 41 1st Street at 6:30 - 8:30 PM
