Riverkeeper Supports EPA Plan for Gowanus Canal

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tina Posterli, 516-526-9371, [email protected]

Ossining, NY – September 30, 2013 – EPA released its Record of Decision (“ROD”) for the Gowanus Canal today, which requires both the remediation of historical industrial pollution and reduction in sewer overflows containing toxic chemicals and untreated sewage into the Canal. Following is a statement by Phillip Musegaas, Hudson River Program Director at Riverkeeper:

“Today’s announcement is a critically important milestone for the future of the Gowanus Canal and surrounding communities. We commend EPA for developing a cleanup plan that addresses both historical and ongoing pollution, recognizing that the full range of environmental insults levied against this unique waterway must be brought to an end. Riverkeeper urges the City of New York and the New York State DEC to embrace this plan, and join with the Gowanus community as we work to reclaim the Canal.

As a member of the Community Advisory Group (CAG) for the Gowanus Canal, we are also pleased with the EPA’s active engagement with the community thus far, and we encourage the agency to continue in this vein once the cleanup begins. This historic cleanup can only succeed if the passionate supporters of the Gowanus are fully involved from the day of listing to the day the last load of toxic sediment is removed from the Canal.

Riverkeeper has a long history of advocating for a cleanup of the Gowanus Canal and has actively been involved with the Superfund site since the canal was nominated for inclusion on the National Priorities List in 2009. We look forward to continuing our work with the CAG and EPA as the cleanup is designed and implemented.”