Bravo! State Senator Velmanette Montgomery Supports Gowanus Superfund Designation

Bravo to State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, for being the lone voice of reason amongst our elected officials regarding the designation of the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site.
In the letter below, which the State Senator sent to Dennis Munhall, of the U.S. EPA, she expresses her concern about the building of housing on contaminated land, especially the Public Place site, and stated that she supports the designation of the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund.
The State Senator is showing clear leadership, following her conscience for which she has earned my admiration. Let us hope that our other elected officials will follow her lead, especially her colleague in the State Senate, Daniel Squadron.

Below is Sate Senator Montgomery's letter.

Mr. Dennis Munhall

United States Environmental Protection Agency

290 Broadway

New York, NY 10007

Dear Mr. Munhall;

I would first like to thank the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for extending the comment period for the proposed Superfund designation of the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. This issue is of critical importance and many residents and businesses wish to make considered statements. I am grateful the EPA clearly appreciates the importance of the depth of local concern.

Since one-half of the Gowanus Canal lies within the 18^th New York Senate District, the development and heath of the area, for both the current and future residents and businesses are my top priorities. 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.

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.

Therefore I support the cleanup of the Gowanus Canal and its designation as a Superfund site. However there are a number of questions and concerns that I would like to have addressed prior to designation.

Please describe your proposed project management plan for coordinating the City, State, and Federal remediation and reclamation efforts. Please clarify particularly:

·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.

I thank you for your consideration and look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery

NYS 18^th Senate District

cc:	Honorable Nydia Velasquez, 12th New York Congressional District
	Honorable Yvette Clarke, 11th New York Congressional District
	Honorable Daniel Squadron, 25th New York Senate District
	Honorable Joan Millman, 52nd New York Assembly District
	Honorable Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York
	Honorable Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President

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