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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Minutes of the August 4, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Land Use Committee

Attendees: Steve Marcus – Moderator, Erica Eliason, Joe Ann Brown, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Yarish, Lisa Bowstead, Joan Salome-Rodriguez, Peter Reich, Katia Kelly, Emily Mitchell, Joseph Alexiou

Guests: Tiffany Brown, Irene Baker & Aaron Kaufman

The Land Use Committee discussed the following:

1) Gowanus Protection Framework
– Follow up: Andrea kindly offered to reach out directly to the individuals that the CAG’s Framework letter was addressed to at EPA, NYSDEC & NYCDEP.

2) Update regarding the CAG’s PS 372 Annex building letter to Aaron Fischer (NYSDEC) and Dan Tucholski (NYSDOH).
– Follow up: As of August 24th, both acknowledged receiving the CAG’s letter but have not responded.

3) EPA’s Matrix for Remediation Requirements of Gowanus Canal’s Upland Sites
– Follow Up: It was suggested that at our next General CAG meeting that we ask who specifically within EPA and DEC is directly responsible for overseeing that developers are adhering to EPA’s Matrix’s requirements of the Canal’s adjoining sites.

4) NYSDEC’s TCE Plume Trackdown Study for the Luquer & Court Street area.
– Follow Up: It was suggested that the Land Use Committee follow up with NYSDEC & NYSDOH to ask for targeted indoor VOC testing for the nearby properties.

5) Jason’s presentation of EPA’s TAB program
– Follow up: We want to thank Jason for his presentation. The committee agreed to have Jason proceed and it was also suggested that he give the same presentation to the rest of the CAG.

6) Lead & Heavy Metal testing in the Gowanus neighborhood.
– Follow up: Based on a community members testing of their backyard’s soil (attached), it was suggested to ask DEC & DOH: 1) Is there a program available for homeowners to get their soil tested, 2) Would DEC & DOH help advertise that testing is available and 3) Request that the soil in our neighborhood’s parks and public spaces be tested as well.

Please Note: The next Land Use Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 1st at 6:30pm.

Minutes of the August 3, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Water Quality & Technical Committee

Attendees, CAG Members: Joan Salome-Rodriguez (Moderator), Erica Eliason, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Yarish, Susan Yung

Guests: Irene Baker, National Grid; Aaron Kaufman, Gowanus Remediation Trust.

You can view a video recording of the meeting here. Please enter code NTkd4^^x when prompted for access.

1) Survey – checked to see if all had done survey – yes.

2) Reviewed emails and responses so far and decided to send follow up questions on some:

a. Basement flood water testing. DEC & DEP, DOH – the agencies all pretty much punted but DOH (Scarlett) sent this: the pages below should direct people affected by floods on some steps they may take following a flood and who to contact.

Weather Emergencies
Flooding Quick Reference Guide

Closed out this issue.
* Note: Eymund said at a prior meeting that if you have repeated flooding, take samples to him and he can have testing done down at the Navy Yard.

b. Real-time canal monitoring/public reporting DEP – Alicia West this may deserve a resolution and a presentation – We will have a presentation from Riverkeeper at the General CAG meeting in September when they have more info from DEP as to what they are planning to do. Joan followed up with Alicia 7/29. The City has asked for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals so the standard response was received that the agency cannot comment on pending litigation.

c. Bond-Lorraine Sewer – DEP Alicia West – See the relevant section of her July 31 in the addendum. Basically – The 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 from Smith 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. Design planned to go to DDC by year’s end.

d. CSOs – DEP Alicia West, EPA Victoria Sacks – We got an answer from DEP regarding its Long-Term Control Plan. See the addendum for full answer but importantly there is no LTCP for the CSO tank results and re-dredging would only happen if EPA orders it. At that point, DEP and other PRPs would be required to dredge. Unsure what other PRP’s we are talking about. No answer from EPA yet – Tom Mongelli to respond. Joan followed up 8/10/2026. The attendees decided this response deserved follow up beyond Joan just asking for Tom’s response. Mark Yarish prepared some questions that Joan sent to Tom Mongelli on 8/9/2026.

e. NAPL leaks and remediation at the head of the Canal – Joan followed up to obtain Victoria’s answers to our questions (see addendum) that Tom Mongelli read out at the CAG meeting 7/27 (see addendum). It seems a lot of what is going on is based on suspicion of what is going on but is also exploratory if EPA has it wrong. Work is in progress. Victoria’s full response is included in the addendum. A series of follow-up questions was sent to Victoria on 8/9/2026. See addendum for details.

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Minutes of the August 3, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Archaeology & Historic Preservation Committee

Attendees, CAG Members: Joan Salome-Rodriguez, Moderator. Margaret Maugenest, Jason Schwartzman.

Guests: Irene Baker, National Grid; Aaron Kaufman, Gowanus Remediation Trust.

You can watch a video recording of the meeting here. Please enter passcode ^NZVd%1s for access.

Discussion of the CAG membership survey.

1. Discussed ways to get the StoryMap and other materials out to the community. Outreach help? Put on the website? Aaron says, yes, we can do that. Jason to follow up with Celeste.

2. Joan reported that Clinton and Union Street library scheduled to open in the fall. What would an email to the library say? Library should be very interested in the StoryMap. Aaron will follow up to see if the StoryMap can be shared with BPL. We need to draft an email. Can it also be in book form?

3. Asked Aaron if we still have the original draft StoryMap that was much more geared to kids. It would be nice to have both.

4. Joan shared her PowerPoint of the graffiti materials. Eventually we want a show at Dredgers with real items dredged and the graffiti materials but 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. Just need frames.

5. Michael Kilian was unable to attend but did say he would reach out to John Quadrozzi and I gave him the email.

6. Jason suggested posters with QR codes and flyers – can the Trust help? Aaron to check. If we get the flyers it would be nice to frame and have hung in new spaces.

Minuted of the July 31, 2026 Meeting of the Gowanus Canal CAG’s Administration Committee

Attendees: Jerry Armer and Katia Kelly via Zoom.

Katia informed Jerry that at the July 2026 full CAG meeting, the Facilitation Committee presented its work on identifying opportunities to increase representation through additional outreach and new member recruiting.

During the discussion, the entire CAG voted to temporarily remove the CAG’s current membership application form from the website, so that we may work on a replacement application that would better align with our recruitment goals.

The hope is to have the new one by mid September.

There is currently an application in front of the Administration Committee. At the general meeting, our committee asked that this application still be reviewed under current membership criteria.

Jerry and Katia reviewed the membership application from Kayla Moriarty.

It was decided to move the application forward because Kayla is a resident of Gowanus and lives very near the Superfund remediation area.

Jerry and Katia felt that she will contribute new thoughts and fresh eyes to our CAG discussions.

Katia will contact Kayla to let her know that the CAG will not be meeting in August, but that she will be invited to the September or October meeting for an interview.

Gowanus CAG Land Use Committee Letter to NYSDEC and NYSDOH re: PS 372 Vapor Intrusion

The Gowanus CAG Land Use Committee has prepared a letter, following a technical review of agency records and vapor-intrusion research, seeking answers about continued volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detections in the P.S. 372 Annex cellar. The letter asks the responsible agencies to explain the remaining source, complete and verify additional mitigation, clarify whether affected spaces are safe for young children to use, and provide ongoing monitoring and public updates before normal school operations resume in September.

You can find the letter here.

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