The Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group’s Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in the offices of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy at 543 Union Street.
Committee Members present: David Briggs, Rita Miller, Andrea Parker, Peter Reich, Triada Samaras, Sue Wolfe, Maryann Young
Item 1
Could the 7th Street and Lowe’s turning basins become salt marshes? After some discussion, it was agreed that they should be included in the list of areas that the NRDA trustees consider for restoration.
Action
The committee will compile a list of areas and contact the trustees.
Item 2
Questions from committee member: “What are salt marshes?” and “Do they increase mosquito populations/problems possibly posing a problem for residents nearby?” Answer: Salt marshes support different types of plants, fish, birds, and invertebrates.
Action
More research required on the mosquito issue.
Item 3
Carl Alderson of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the waterfront planning person for the Department of City Planning will be invited to the next committee meeting.
Action
Andrea will invite both individuals.
Item 4
A list of public and private land/waterways that could be considered for ecological restoration under the NRDA was developed. Sites include the Salt Lot, all turning basins, street ends, extension of the 4th Street turning basin east of 3rd Avenue, Long Bank Park (behind Home Depot), Lowe’s parking lot, and the former Pathmark site.
Action
The committee will present a list to the NRDA trustees.
Item 5
Questions regarding the assessment: What are the injuries that the trustees have identified? What can we ask for? Is loss of open space a potential damaged resource since it affects humans’ access to fresh air and maintaining a sustainable environment that can support plant life, trees, birds, fish, etc.?
Action
Andrea and Dave will forward the questions to Carl Alderson.