Support EPA’s Proposal to Clean the Gowanus Canal

Photo Credit: Craig Michaels
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The Gowanus Canal, one of the most heavily contaminated water bodies in the nation, is a candidate for the Federal Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). If it makes the list, then the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can begin studying the extent of its contamination and draft plans for a thorough and coordinated cleanup.

Although EPA is facing pressure from developers and New York City to not add the canal to the Superfund list, it is accepting public comments on the nomination. Riverkeeper urges you to ask your elected officials to support Superfund designation for the Gowanus Canal.

Located in Brooklyn, NY, the 1.8 mile canal was the site for manufactured gas plants, cement factories, oil refineries, tanneries, and chemical plants for nearly 150 years. Now it is filled with dangerous levels of PCBs, heavy metals, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, sewage solids from combined sewer overflows, and coal tar. Learn More