Attendees:
CAG Members: Joan Salome-Rodriguez, Katia Kelly, Jason Schwartzman, Susan Yung, Erica Eliason, Alexandra Dadourian, Peter Reich, Mark Yarish, Lisa Bowstead and Steve Marcus
Guests: Aaron Kaufman & Irene Baker
Agenda Items Discussed:
1) Follow up discussion regarding NYS DEC’s TCE Plume Study near St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, which took place during November 2024.
Action: The Committee asked Steve to reach out to Heidi Dudek of NYSDEC for an update. Update: Heidi did forward to us the full report! It’s available here. Please review the report and be prepared to discuss at our January meeting.
2) Follow up discussion regarding the status of NYS DEC’s final decision regarding the proposed remedial plan for Parcel 3 (459 Smith Street) of the former Citizens MGP Works site.
Action: The Committee asked Steve to reach out to DEC for an update. Update: No response.
3) Assemblymember Simon’s letter to DEC regarding 459 Smith Street (aka Parcel 3).
Action: Lisa kindly drafted a “Thank You” letter on behalf of the Committee to Assemblymember Simon for submitting her comment letter. Update: With the Committee’s approval, the letter was sent to AM Simon shortly after our meeting.
4) At our previous Committee meeting we discussed the former Citizens MGP Works site’s recent Groundwater Monitoring report and asked National Grid’s representative, Irene Baker, if there was a similar report for the former Fulton MGP site. Ms. Baker did respond stating: “There was other recent groundwater monitoring completed at Fulton, which is included in a Sentinel Well Monitoring Summary Report (2025). I recommend contacting DEC directly for that information”.
Action: The Committee asked Steve to reach out to the DEC to request this report. Update: Aaron Fischer did respond to the entire committee on December 23rd. Please review and be prepared to discuss at our January meeting.
5) The Committee discussed DEC’s announcement of the proposed remediation and construction near the Mary Star of the Sea Senior Apartments on the site known as the John Tynan Senior Residence.
Update: Thanks to all the Committee members who submitted their own comments to DEC!
6) The Committee discussed the recent announcement by DEC regarding Parcels 1 & 2 of the former Citizens MGP Works site.
Update: Thanks to all the Committee members who submitted their own comments and for their help in getting DEC to grant a comment extension to January 4th!
7) Joan brought to our attention that DEC completed a Gowanus Canal areawide groundwater study to evaluate the current hydraulic conditions, including groundwater elevations and flow direction. This study was scheduled for completion in late 2024.
Follow Up: I believe that this will be taken up in the Water Quality Committee and Land Use can sign on to their request.
Please note: Our next Land Use Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 6th at 6:30pm.