Minutes of the October 5, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Archaeology & Historic Preservation Committee

Attendees: Joan Salome-Rodriguez: Moderator. Katia Kelly, Jason Schwartzman: CAG members. Irene Baker: National Grid.  Aaron Kaufman: Gowanus Remediation Trust.

1. Follow up with Celeste and Jason re: how to publish StoryMap on CAG Website. GRT approved this and Aaron reports that he reached out to Celeste about how to share it.

2. There are other materials including images of the dredged items that could also be shared. We already know these materials can be shared as we shared them at the show last April 2025. Will work with Outreach and GRT to see if we can get some petty cash for printing flyers, images and frames. Em has a bunch of frames and Joan followed up about the size. Size of photos printouts would be 11 x 17. In order to have the 3D items Gowanus Dredgers, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, and John Quadrozzi would have to get on board. Irene will check with Terri Thompson and Joan will follow up with Michael. Just found out from Peter in a separate call (he was in Maryland when we had this meeting) that there is an idea floating around to do a Gowanus exhibit at PowerHouse. Will work with Constanza Valenzuela, Associate Curator, Powerhouse Arts, Pam W., Curator, and Sasha Fishman, Powerhouse Artist-In-Residence ’26-’27, Columbia Sculpture MFA ’24, sashafishman.com.

3. Joan reported that Clinton and Union Street library scheduled to open in the fall. Katia reached out to the former manager of the Clinton Street library, Uldis Skrovelis, and he can put us in touch with the Friends of the Carroll Gardens Library. Ginger Gaines is the President of Friends of Carroll Gardens Library. Expectation is that library will open in late November or early December and we could tour. Library should be very interested in the StoryMap. Awaiting info from Aaron as to whether StoryMap can be shared with the Brooklyn Public Library.

4. Can the StoryMap also be in book form? Aaron to follow up as to whether GRT still has the original draft StoryMap that was much more geared to kids. It would be nice to have both the electronic version and a kids book version. Aaron to follow up to see if Chronicle Heritage can do that.

5. Joan shared her PowerPoint of the graffiti materials. Joan followed up with Celeste in August and again in September.  Eventually we want a show at Dredgers with real items dredged and the graffiti materials, but it would be great if we could show the StoryMap, too. Aaron will follow up. If we cannot move all of John Quadrozzi’s items to the location, we could use the photos we have of them already. Michael emailed John. Aaron to find out if we have to move large pieces for a show, whether GRT can pay for a U-Haul.

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Minutes of the October 5, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Water Quality & Technical Committee

Attendees:  Joan Salome-Rodriguez – Moderator. CAG members: Katia Kelly, Jason Schwartzman. National Grid: Irene Baker.  Gowanus Remediation Trust: Aaron Kaufman.

You can watch a video recording of the meeting here. Please enter passcode a8m.?ERw for access.

1. Bond-Lorraine Sewer abandonment and how the proposed initial design of the high-level sewer lines to take the street runoff will ultimately result in a LOT of disruption in the neighborhood. Katia reported that the last time DEP did work on Columbia Street in 1975 or so, many buildings collapsed and people died.  

2. Gas line at Huntington and other NAPL leaks. Per Katia, there were all these special sealants that were not so impenetrable on the bulkheads.  

a. NAPL leak at head of the Canal – no action at the moment as EPA is still figuring out what is going on there – EPA said the bulkhead is bulging. Katia noted that wouldn’t National Grid be responsible for paying for the leak since the coal tar has migrated from the MGP site (Fulton at Thomas Greene Park) under the Canal and over to the east side where the NAPL leak is (next to the flushing tunnel at Butler Street). Per Aaron, the GRT is the party responsible for that location. The closure sheet capping the bulkhead there did not go down all the way and that is what Aaron believes is the source of the sheening. They were going to do supplemental grouting but that approach is not effective, so they are now figuring out a different solution per Victoria. If there is historic contamination from the Fulton site or other activities in the area, that exposure pathway is going to be sealed. Joan showed Irene on Google Maps the area that we are discussing, and she will look into whether Fulton is involved.

b. Gas line going across Public Place from west to east at Huntington needs to be sealed. We asked Irene if that would be sealed by National Grid because it still supplies Red Hook. Brian at the General CAG meeting acknowledged the Gas Tunnel – design discussions between EPA, GRT and National Grid to address sealing around that infrastructure before cleanup can happen in that area. The bulkheads have to go in before any of that can happen and EPA is in charge of sequencing that.  

Also, NAPL leaking into the Canal at Huntington. Is National Grid going to seal that up? Question sent to Victoria, what party is dealing with the bulkhead at the street end at Huntington, the City or a developer.    

c. Katia – Have they ever dredged around 3rd St Bridge pylons? Aaron responded – RTA 1 substantially complete – odds and ends remaining like 1st Street turning basin and the leak at the head of the canal. As for 3rd Street dredging around the pylons he thinks that may be addressed in the RTA 2 design.  Joan sent that question to Victoria.

d. Joan asked how many third party bulkheads are not done? Eight to nine properties including the 7th Street turning basin.

3. Turning Basin 1 – Request presentation of completed design – Aaron said that by end of year we will have a 90% design presentation (per Facilitation Committee that is happening at the October General CAG – sent email to Victoria and Natalie to confirm since it is on the October agenda). Resolution regarding naming – Marylander Basin, Denton’s Mill. Discussed re-naming and Aaron suggested that should be addressed to the Parks Department or Community Board 6.

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Next Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group General Meeting: Tuesday, October 27, 6:30 p.m. (In Person & Zoom)

Please join us for our October 2026 General Meeting, on Tuesday, October 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in person and via Zoom.

In-person meeting

Principles GI Coffee House
139 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215

You can also join the meeting via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81431345410?pwd=drb4lhEv7H8OQJ4xQ7j60aZuv3tzci.1

Meeting ID: 814 3134 5410
Passcode: 052446

DRAFT AGENDA (all times are approximate)

6:30 – 6:40 p.m.: Welcome and CAG Member Introductions

6:40 – 7:15 p.m.: EPA Updates and CAG Q&A / Public Comment and Q&A as time allows

7:15 – 8:00 p.m.: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Updates

8:00 – 8:30 p.m.: CAG Business and Committee Updates

  • Archaeology and Historic Preservation Committee
  • Outreach Committee
  • Water Quality/Technical Committee
  • Land Use Committee
  • Administrative Committee
  • Facilitation Committee

8:30 p.m.: Adjourn

Guests are always welcome to comment and ask questions using the chat function.

All Gowanus CAG meetings are open to the public, unless specifically noted otherwise.

Minutes of the Gowanus Canal CAG Outreach Committee’s Meeting of October 14, 2026

CAG Members Present: Celeste LeCompte, Emily Mitchell, Jason Schwartzman (Moderator)

Guests: Natalie Loney, EPA Region 2

1. CAG Representation Survey Results and Implications for Outreach

The committee reviewed results from the recent CAG internal survey intended to identify strengths and gaps in its representation of the broader Gowanus community, and opportunities to extend the CAG’s outreach. The presentation highlighted where the CAG’s current membership is under-represented, including but not limited to geography, type of housing, and professions. Areas of strength were also highlighted.

Committee and overall CAG members are encouraged to listen to the presentation of the findings here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wi6gmrZHi4NKQREvSEA-vN3CwrUprIF5/view?usp=sharing

Implications: Committee discussion focused on what might be priority actions for outreach, with the following points:

·Align outreach campaigns with high-interest topics (examples: Soil Vapor Intrusion town hall and outreach to areas where past results are of concern, Thomas Greene Park construction/testing updates and NYCHA residents, excavation/construction of the former Citizens MGP site and surrounding blocks).

·Target residential buildings, schools and businesses physically closest to active remediation areas where residents/workers may feel the immediate impacts.

·Leverage the reach of organizations represented on the CAG to share information through their networks.

·Engage newly constructed residential buildings where interest and demand for more info about flooding, soil vapor, odors and access to public spaces may be high.

·Create introductory Q&A documents for new residents and community members asking foundational questions about Superfund safety, air/water quality, flooding and the cleanup timeline.

·Distribute information through building/community bulletin boards, online community managers and neighborhood events.

·Translate key CAG documents and updates into Spanish and Simplified Chinese.

·Reach out to local business associations (e.g., the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation–SBIDC–to understand their specific cleanup concerns (such as bulkheads, liability, and construction logistics).

2. Public-Facing General Meeting Notes

The committee expressed effusive appreciation to Erica Eliason for taking detailed notes at the monthly General Meeting, and her commitment to continue to play this role!

3. Outreach Events Calendar

The upcoming Thomas Greene Park event was flagged as an outreach opportunity, and Celeste confirmed that the Dredgers put out laminated information sheets at their events, but invited CAG members to join events to informally talk to folks.

Due to light attendance, the Committee agreed to defer discussion of the draft External Communications Plan and outreach to Jo Anne Simon’s office until the next meeting.

Minutes of the October, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Land Use Committee

Attendees: Steve Marcus – Moderator, Andrea Parker, Erica Eliason, Katia Kelly, Joan Salome-Rodriguez, Margaret Maugenest, Emily Mitchell, Hildegaard Link & Susan Yung

Guests: Irene Baker, Aaron Kaufman & Oscar Fock

1. Update regarding the CAG’s Gowanus Protection Framework letter (attached) that was sent to EPA, DEC & DEP.

No one has responded. For DEC, priority is to get them nailed down for the town hall. Once that date is in place, Andrea can follow up. Patrick Foster is no longer in that position, now at DSNY (sanitation). There’s another DEC Staff member we could follow up with, possibly Scott Deyette.

Replacing Bond Lorraine sewer with new approach. Not asking DEP to do anything further for the framework letter. Discussion of if Bond Lorraine sewer is of higher priority than framework letter. No one has acknowledged receiving the letter yet. Katia will write the text for Steve to send to the three individuals.

Since we have no ask for DEP, we could say that even though DEP is doing a good job, we want to hear more about their plans for Bond Lorraine. Letter to go to Mike Sivak, Alicia West, and Scott Deyette. Want them to acknowledge receipt of the letter. For the first round, Alicia was possibly cc’d but it was not addressed to her.

2. Follow up on the CAG’s letter to DEC & DOH regarding PS 372’s Annex and suggest further actions.

Have not gotten a response. Steve suggests sending it again and asking for a response. Michelle and Claire (PS 372 parents) reached out. DEC states they don’t know the source of the contamination in the Annex. The parents would like the committee to consider asking for DEC to do a trackdown study. Hildegaard’s student, Newtown Creek presentation – our regulations do not always protect the public as robustly as we would wish. In the canal, they will be looking for PAHs.

Hildegaard is worried the trackdown study is not in the CAG purview. SVI is also kind of a trackdown study. Andrea doesn’t think it’s overstepping but should be strategic and specific. Joan would write to DEC because it’s a DEC issue. Could ask them if a trackdown study would be effective here.

Hildegaard thinks stronger language may be warranted. Would be important to consider what are the other potential concern areas in the neighborhood. Decision to ask DEC if a trackdown study would be effective here and if so, we urge them to do one, address to Heidi Dudek (DEC) with Scarlett McLaughlin (DOH) included. Steve will draft something and circulate. Hildegaard is reaching out to Lisa for the identification of priority areas with schools and day care centers in the neighborhood she previously put together.

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Missed our September 2026 General Meeting? You can find a recording here.

If you were unable to join us via Zoom for our September 22nd general meeting, you can view a partial video recording of the meeting below, or open it in a new window here.

You can also access a complete transcript of the meeting here.

Please click on any of the following dates for recordings of our July 28th, June 23rd, April 28th, March 24th, February 24th, January 27th, December 2nd, and October 28th general meetings.

For recordings of our June, July and September 2025 meetings, please click here.

And for video of most of our meetings from April 2020 to April 2025, please visit our Vimeo page. Click on any of the videos to view the recording of the desired meeting.

Minutes of the August 31, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Archaeology & Historic Preservation Committee

Attendees, CAG Members: Joan Salome-Rodriguez, Moderator. Eymund Diegel, Peter Reich.

Guests: Irene Baker, National Grid.

You can watch a video recording of the meeting here. Please enter passcode %dnk9Fyh for access.

Commemorative sites

Besides discussion about the items below, we had a long discussion about Eymund’s ideas to make sites along the Gowanus into commemorative sites. He suggests the 1st Street Turning Basin could be named Marylander Park because the Maryland contingent defended the Revolution from Old Stone House at that site. There is currently a letter of support from Kim at the Old Stone House. It would be tied to the Path of Freedom concept from Old Stone House. Also, the education building we think is planned there could recall Denton’s Mill which used to sit at the 1st Street Turning Basin.

Flood Reduction

There was also some discussion of flood reduction on 4th Avenue that would be better addressed in Water Quality meeting but basically suggested advocacy around EPA taking the U-Haul lot that used to have a sewer pipe from 1876 on to 1956 when that pipe got closed up. Lo and behold, 4th Avenue started to flood.

StoryMap

Since no representative from the Gowanus Remediation Trust was present, we did not get answers to questions below about the StoryMap and whether or how it could be published to the CAG Website. GRT already approved this.

Can the StoryMap also be in book form? Follow up with Aaron as to whether GRT still has the original draft StoryMap that was much more geared to kids. It would be nice to have both. We know the Clinton and Union Street library is scheduled to open in the fall. Joan suggested a visit first to find out who to talk to about it at the library. At our last meeting Aaron was going to follow up on whether the StoryMap can be shared with BPL.

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Minutes of the Gowanus Canal CAG Outreach Committee’s Meeting of September 14, 2026

1. Soil Vapor Intrusion Town Hall Update
Andrea emailed local elected officials for an update on their outreach to DEC, but no response has been received yet. DEC released an announcement regarding an upcoming Soil Vapor Intrusion Town Hall in October but did not specify a date or location.

2. CAG Communications Plan
The committee reviewed the draft Communications Plan that’s called for by the CAG Charter, to prepare it for submission to the Facilitation Committee and a formal CAG vote at the October General Meeting. The Committee agreed to review an updated draft before sending it to Facilitation, with the following main comments:

  • Streamline the opening section to keep the text crisp.
  • Update Appendix D on social media to include the existing Blue Sky account, the “official” CAG Facebook account, and the new Instagram account. Guidelines to state that posts will be about meeting announcements, the calendar, reminders, approved CAG resolutions/positions, and links to the website for longer, text-heavy content.

3. Community Events & Outreach Execution
The committee established “Upcoming Community Events” as a permanent standing agenda item for all future meetings.

  • Jason to follow up with Alexandra to confirm Thomas Green Park event date and if the CAG can conduct outreach at the event.
  • Katie volunteered to see if a flyer might be designed for general-purpose use across neighborhood spots.
  • All members were encouraged to review local newsletters and neighborhood calendars to identify upcoming community events that offer outreach opportunities.

Minutes of the August 31, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Water Quality & Technical Committee

Attendees, CAG Members: Joan Salome-Rodriguez (Moderator), Eymund Diegel, Erica Eliason, Mark Yarish.

Guests: Irene Baker, National Grid.

You can view a video recording of the meeting here. Please enter code Gm#b!CD8 when prompted for access.

1) Real-time canal monitoring/public reporting DEP – There was not much to say about this one since the Riverkeeper case is on appeal.

2) Bond-Lorraine Sewer – Long discussion about this as it was the most concerning issue. DEP’s plan is to re-sewer all of Carroll Gardens/Gowanus, from Court Street to the Canal, and from Douglass Street to 4th Street at Public Place. It will eliminate the old brick Bond-Lorraine sewer, including the section under Public Place, and that work will be DEP work, not developer work. Appears DEP will run the sewage uphill from Smith Street to the canal northwards to the Pumping Station, while they run the storm water from that area south where it will be dumped into the canal at Public Place. The UPHILL part of the plan is a physics challenge as the flushing tunnel outflow is a 24” bore. How will that be able to take all of Carroll Gardens’ CSO? Eymund & Joan prepared an inquiry and sent it on to Alicia West at DEP and Aaron Kaufman at the Gowanus Remediation Trust.

3) CSO’s/Long Term Control Plan – DEP Alicia West, EPA Victoria Sacks – We got an answer from DEP regarding its LTCP. See below for full answer, but importantly there is no LTCP for the CSO tank results and re-dredging would only happen if EPA orders it. EPA is requiring the City to perform sampling to monitor sediment quality we believe starting in March 2027. In a letter dated March 30, 2026, EPA notified the City of the completion of capping in RTA1. We have asked for this letter, when sampling will start and how often. We as a CAG will have to make decisions around how much sedimentation we want to allow.

4) NAPL leaks and remediation at the head of the Canal – Work is in progress.

5) Hydrology – Aaron responded (see below) that DEC hopes to have the survey complete by 1st Quarter 2027. Current hydraulic conditions, including groundwater elevations and flow direction. DEC study. We know they are not including toxins in the study. We’d like DEC to overlay Jason’s map with the info from DEC’s survey (or vice versa).

Minutes of the September 1, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Land Use Committee

Attendees: Steve Marcus – Moderator, Margaret Maugenest, Erica Eliason, Emily Mitchell, Peter Reich, Joan Salome-Rodriguez, Lisa Bowstead, Joseph Alexiou & Susan Yung

Guests: Claire Graves (PS 372 parent), Michelle Tsai (PS 372 parent), Irene Baker, Aaron Kaufman & Oscar Fock

The Land Use Committee discussed the following:

Gowanus Protection Framework letter
– Any responses from EPA, DEC & DEP on Gowanus Protection Framework letter? No response last updated. Andrea following up. Unsure if any response yet. Sent to Michael Sivak (EPA), Patrick Foster (DEC), and Lisa Garcia (DEP).

PS 372 Annex
– CAG’s letter sent to Aaron Fisher (DEC) and Daniel Tucholski (NYS DOH). DEC and DOH acknowledged
receipt of the letter that was emailed back on July 31st, no response. Follow up and ask when we can expect a response and say disappointed that no response yet.
– At PS 372 Town Hall, said no idea when problem started. No answers to questions that were put in the chat from the Town Hall. Could ask Principal for copy of the chat so know what the questions were and if there have been answers provided (Claire and Michelle can connect with the principal). Michelle suggests more than written response, in-person Town Hall. CAG is working on scheduling that, but more focused on soil vapor intrusion. Could ask DEC to come to one of our meetings but may be considered outside of the purview of the EPA. Joan thinks it should be okay. Evaded all questions at the Town Hall that was held, said will have fans and doors open, which they say should be fine for when school is in session. Toxins are still in the building and under the building. There is flooding in the basement when it rains. Current solutions are not long-term or permanent fixes. We will ask the Facilitation Committee to have DEC discuss this at the next General CAG meeting scheduled for September 22nd. Lisa wants written response before the meeting so we can come to the meeting with our questions. Lisa has kindly offered to draft something to write to DEC, Steve will circulate and send to the PS 372 parents.
– There are 6 classes at basement level (3 pre-K, 3 kindergarten classes) + gym and after school classes held there. No discussion that parents have been involved in about moving all classes from the basement. One ask that parents have is firm date for new temporary system installation and backup plan to move children from these classes. Also asking for filtration systems and why this is not being considered, and for a permanent solution to clean under and around the school. Does not seem like church has been involved. Need to push to identify the source so hard to address it without knowing the source of the buildings contamination. Michelle says there’s a paper trail for a case that was closed without being addressed. The link is in the petition. Is ISS under the school an option?
– Joan says there’s a union office in the basement. Connect with them? Union representative is for the teachers. New York Post article about recent meeting.

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