Community Board Approves EPA's Gowanus Cleanup Plan

Community Board 6 unanimously approved the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed plan to clean up the Gowanus Canal. There were some conditions and caveats, however. Some of the highlights: They asked the City, state, and feds to commit to a certain standard of water quality, to prevent a contaminant known as Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) from seeping into the canal, and to make “responsible parties,” not homeowners, pay for bulkhead upkeep. What’s more, they want the EPA to minimize disruptions to businesses in the area and compensate them for any necessary temporary relocation, business losses and other effects while the work goes on. We have a feeling that last request could be controversial.
Photo by Jim in Times Square