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.
EPA Matrix enforcement
-What level of remediation is required to protect the EPA remedy of the Canal. Been told DEC is responsible for enforcing it. Aaron Fisher is the point person. Steve would like to ask EPA and DEC who is specifically responsible for enforcing the Matrix. Still sheens in the first section of the Canal. Lisa wants the documents that show that it’s has been being enforced. Site across from Whole Foods is being dug up, which has contaminants in the soil. Water Quality had reached out about the sheens, there’s a hole in the wall, they think they have identified the source, community will be informed as this develops and there will be updates at the General CAG meeting, maybe hole is temporary and just at this phase of the work and it will be sealed in the future? But doesn’t seem like it since it was in the section considered to be completed.
–Steve will draft questions to ask and connect with Joan, want to see the records and who is doing the oversight.
-Joseph says Brian as attorney would be providing oversight and ultimately up to EPA.
Gas Tunnel under the Gowanus Canal
-Joseph shared historic pictures of the tunnel under the Canal, 10-12 feet in diameter, goes across the canal from 2nd Avenue at former Citizens MGP Works site. Don’t know how this will be sealed. Steve suggests asking Victoria what the plan is to seal this, Joan says to ask about the Bond-Lorraine sewer too.
Outreach to the Luquer & Court Street area community members about SVI testing for TCE
-Jason said Outreach committee could reach out to community members to let them know testing is available, need to ask when/if DEC is conducting any outreach.
Thomas Greene Park & Pool
-Susan mentioned Thomas Greene’s toxins that are underground endangering children, young adults who use the playgrounds annually and pools seasonally. Steve mentioned the need for transparency for NAPL evaluation near Douglas Street testing.
Please note: Our next Land Use Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30pm.