At its September 24, 2024 general meeting, the Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group passed the following resolution, initiated by the Water Quality/Technical Committee, petitioning the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to reclassify the Gowanus Canal’s surface waters, currently designated Class-SD, to Class-SC, meaning the waters shall be suitable for fish, shellfish and wildlife propagation and survival, as well as primary and secondary contact recreation.
The resolution reads as follows:
Resolved: The Gowanus CAG resolves that the attached comments regarding reclassification of surface waters in New York will be submitted as set forth below. The CAG’s petition seeks reclassification of the surface waters of the Gowanus Canal to Class-SC (fishable, swimmable).
Background: The Department of Environmental Conservation will accept petitions for reclassification of surface waters in New York and the deadline for comments is November 4, 2024. We propose to submit the attached comments on this website: dec.ny.gov/chemical/125879.html and within this page, use the link for reclassification petition and we will email jason.fegal@dec.ny.gov.
In response to the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule-Making (ANPRM) in the New York State Register on May 8, 2024, the Gowanus Superfund Community Advisory Group (CAG) hereby petitions that the water of the Gowanus Canal be reclassified from its current industrial standard, which is designated Class-SD to Class-SC, primary contact recreation criteria (fishable-swimmable). Class-SD only mandates a minimal level of dissolved oxygen be maintained in the waters, but places no limit to levels of pathogens present in the waterway. As the Gowanus area has been re-zoned to a residential area, the Gowanus waters should reflect that change and be safe for both residents and wildlife.
The ANPRM solicits public input toward NYSDEC’s Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards (WQS). Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(c) and 40 CFR 131.20 include requirements for states to perform a formal regulatory review of WQS every three years, known as the Triennial Review. The Triennial Review is an opportunity for the Department to integrate the best available science and methods into WQS to protect the waters of the State. Regulations subject to Triennial Review are any that direct the water quality standards, waterbody classification, and anti-degradation policies and actions of the State. The effort may result in amendments to water quality standards found in 6 NYCRR Parts 700-706.
Read more »