The cause of cleaning up the Gowanus Canal got a big boost yesterday when the Environmental Protection Agency proposed adding the 1.8-mile waterway to its Superfund National Priorities List; inclusion on the list would mean a comprehensive investigation of the contamination and the development of a plan to remedy it. The sooner we get the listing underway, the sooner EPA can begin its work, so that one day the Gowanus Canal can be used again to benefit the people of Brooklyn, said Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou. To date, sampling of the canal has turned up evidence of a variety of pollutants, including pesticides, metals and volatile organic contaminants (VOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and tar-related contaminations. For the next 60 days, the public is invited to contribute comments here. In addition, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke will be hosting a public forum with the EPA on April 14 at 7 p.m. at PS 32 on Hoyt between Union and President Streets.
Photo by Sail Brooklyn