Proposals Are in for Greenpoint Oil Spill Settlement Money

The settlement fund for the Greenpoint oil spill has received 96 proposals for improving the environment in Greenpoint, The New York Times reported. The fund has $19,500,000 to give away. The projects include:

*A $7,000,000 request from the New York City parks department and the City Parks Foundation to plant trees on the street and in Greenpoint parks, improve Box Street Park and buy a 7.5-acre plot to turn into a park.

*A $304,750 proposal by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to create curbside gardens to filter storm water and help clean Newtown Creek. The department also applied for $288,465 to study how to use floating wetlands to decrease pollution.

*Audubon New York proposes to restore plantings to attract native bird species in Monsignor McGolrick Park. The habitation project would be carried out with students at P.S. 110 and St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy.

*Residents and environmental groups request almost $1,000,000 to map disease clusters and toxic sites in the area, as we reported earlier.

The Times story also noted that ExxonMobil has recovered about 12 million gallons from the oil spill to date, using 21 wells throughout the area. Sales of the recycled oil is bring in about $60,000 a year, and the money is donated to Greenpoint schools and organizations. Above, a boom to contain oil set out on Newtown Creek.

Which of the 96 proposals do you support and why?

Variety of Projects Vying for Grants From $19.5 Million Oil Spill Fund [NY Times]
Photo by Newtown Creek Alliance