Here are some great contacts for you to call and voice your opinion on the Superfund Designation of the Gowanus canal.
Just call them up and they will take your comment and your zip code. It goes into a spread sheet and becomes part of the debate. It is important to do this since it is one of the few times you can really feel part of the democratic process.
The the main importance of doing this is that the city is trying to halt the Superfund Designation and claim they will clean up the canal themselves. But there is no proof they will do this. Their track record is horrible in this area. And there is too much evidence that the city taking over the responsibility will create a real conflict of interest that could let the polluters off the hook and allow developers to make a lot of money building over polluted land.
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Here is what a local organization called CORD has to say:
CALL THE FOLLOWING OFFICIALS BELOW AND TELL THEM THAT YOU WANT EPA TO DESIGNATE THE GOWANUS CANAL A FEDERAL SUPERFUND SITE!!
CORD is still convinced, that the nomination of the Gowanus Canal to the National Priorities List as a Superfund site is the best thing that ever happened to our neighborhood.
We do not believe that the City of New York’s “alternative” plan affords any tangible benefit to the community in terms of process, result or timeframe.
It is our understanding that the city’s plan is basically an attempt to provide the responsible parties (the polluters) with a deep discount by trying to have a good portion of the polluters’ tab picked up by a federal program known as WRDA. There is a waiting line for the very limited amount of available money and long, long list of projects that would be ahead of the Canal. And….did we mention?
THE GOWANUS CANAL IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR WRDA FUNDS AT THIS TIME.
Where and what exactly is the benefit to the community in the City’s plan? We can’t find it.
The EPA through the SUPERFUND program, has the clout to collect the money from the responsible parties, has the expertise and a time improved program already in place to handle situations like our canal.
IT IS CRUNCH TIME….WE NEED TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR.
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Here are the contact numbers. There are real people at the end of the line who are paid to take down your opinion.
LISA JACKSON, ADMINISTRATOR, US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 202-564-4700
SENATOR CHARLES SCHUMER 914-734-1532
SENATOR KIRSTIN GILLIBRAND 212-688-6262
REPRESENTATIVE NYDIA VELAZQUEZ, 718-599-3658
REPRESENTATIVE YVETTE CLARKE 718-287-1142
You can also email the Nydia Velazques office at: dale.degale@mail.house.gov
I just emailed them this:
Hi,
I wanted to register my concern over the Gowanus Canal and Superfund
Designation. The city is trying to block the EPA from Designating the
Gowanus Canal a Superfund. I think this is a real mistake. I think the
Gowanus Canal and the neighborhood would be best served by designating
the canal a superfund site. I am a land owner in the area as well as a
developer. I think the long term value of the area will be best served
by a Superfund designation.
I think the city’s policy is short sighted and influenced by
developers looking for short term profits over long term community
gains.