The Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group’s Water Quality/Technical Committee met via Zoom conference on Monday, May 4, 2020
Attendees:
Kelsey Butterworth
Diane Buxbaum
Marlene Donnelly
Katia Kelly
Louis Kleinman
Richard Lawrence
Amy Motzny
Peter Reich
Chrissy Remein
Terri Thomson
Maryann Young
Susan Yung
Meeting Notes:
WQ/Tech Committee Meeting Logistics:
- After some discussion, it was unanimously decided that the Water Quality/Technical Committee will pursue future meetings as scheduled during their originally agreed upon date and time, the first Monday of every month at 7:00 pm.
- Until further notice, these meetings will be held virtually via Zoom. Amy will set up technical logistics for this until in-person meeting can resume.
- Katia and Richard will coordinate with the Archaeology Committee to request future Archaeology meetings resume during their originally agreed upon date and time, the first Monday of every month at 6:00 pm, and potentially share Zoom login credentials.
- Amy to follow-up with Doug Sarno on this communication
Follow-up on EPA Updates and April 28th General CAG Presentation:
- Following up on EPA’s presentation to the general CAG, the committee discussed CAG recommendations for EPA to consider as they move forward with clean-up activities including:
- The 1st Street Turning Basin, which will be a major benefit to the community, but presents an opportunity to do more as bulkhead construction throughout the Canal results in a narrowing of the waterway. Moving forward, the committee seeks to:
- Support the Land Use Committee’s proposal to extend excavation and restoration of the 5th Street Turning Basin
- Follow up with EPA on questions regarding land ownership at the waterfront where the canal will be filled to accommodate bulkhead installation
- Who owns this land? How will this additional waterfront area be factored into open space requirements for future zoning and development?
- Committee members to bring these topics to the Land Use Committee meeting on May 5th.
- The 1st Street Turning Basin, which will be a major benefit to the community, but presents an opportunity to do more as bulkhead construction throughout the Canal results in a narrowing of the waterway. Moving forward, the committee seeks to: