Recently I discussed the split between people who want to develop the Gowanus Canal right now despite massive pollution, and those who agree with Obama's EPA in wanting the Gowanus declared a Superfund site so it can be completely cleaned up before being developed. Given that the Gowanus Canal is the second most polluted site in the state, many feel that cleaning it up before developing would be the only sane way to approach it.

Previously City Council candidate Josh Skaller has been one of the few people leading the drive to work with Obama's EPA to clean up the canal. You can read Josh's statement here. Today State Senator Velmanette Montgomery joined Josh Skaller in supporting the EPA's plan to designate the canal a Superfund site: (from her Press Release)

NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery has written to the United States Environmental Protection Agency supporting the designation of the Gowanus Canal for inclusion in the list of Superfund sites.

In her letter Senator Montgomery recognized the economic potential of the area and said that, “While the economic development of this artery is crucial to the future of New York City sustainable, healthy development is only possible in a sustainable, healthy environment.” She continued, “Much of the development proposed for the areas surrounding the Gowanus Canal, such as the Public Place project, envision much needed affordable housing with parks and playgrounds for the families living there. However I cannot in good conscience support development on contaminated land. The area must be made safe for current and future generations.”

Senator Montgomery recognizes that a number of cleanup programs have been initiated by the City and State, as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers, but has concluded these existing programs will benefit from the coordination afforded by Superfund status. She is requesting from the EPA details on their plans for coordinating the existing and proposed cleaning efforts, and an expedited operations schedule

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Since the creation of the Superfund program in 1980, over 2,000 contaminated sites have been successfully remediated. The Superfund Redevelopment Initiative was created in 1989 to aid communities in the redevelopment of former Superfund cleanup sites. More information about the Superfund program is available at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/index.htm.

Senator Montgomery adds in her letter to the EPA the following questions regarding coordination with local and state level groups and a timeline:

How will the Superfund and local operations involve the water in the canal, the accumulated sediments, and the surrounding soil? What will be the degree of remediation?

· How will the Superfund designation impact requirements for new York City to address problems stemming from Combined Sewage Overflows? To what extent will Superfund designation address the CSO repair efforts? Will the Superfund process work in partnership and hopefully expedite the efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers?

· How will contaminants be removed or remediated? Will it be by barge or truck, and how will the surrounding community be protected during the removal and transport process?

· What is the anticipated structure for ongoing community participation within the process?

· What is the anticipated funding schedule and mechanism for the cleanup?

I further request:

· An expedited schedule for the cleanup and remediation efforts.

· That the Federal government guarantee the money necessary for the cleanup effort, and not wait for the acquisition of penalty money from polluters. This community has already waited decades. It cannot wait any longer.

· An assurance that the Superfund remediation process will not interrupt current remediation programs being conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers, the City and State of New York, and others. Ideally these efforts will be optimally coordinated to speed the recovery of this contaminated area.

The worst scenario would be if those who want to develop without adequate clean up get their way because then, as my wife puts it, we will be sitting on the next Love Canal.

The second worst scenario would be if those who want to develop without adequate cleanup fight the Obama Administration on the Superfund status and thus delay clean up until the fight is over. Seems to me it is in their best interest to work with the EPA and get the clean up started ASAP.

The best scenario is if people listen to Josh Skaller and Velmanette Montgomery, get the EPA and local and state groups together on this and clean this mess up now so development plans can move forward safely. It amazes me people would want anything else.