Superfund chief engineer Tsiamis responds to Superfund misinformation by George Fiala
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t a well attended meeting of the Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group (CAG) on October 28, EPA Project Manager Christos Tsiamis minced few words as he laced into the Friends of Thomas Greend Park, claiming they were spreading misinformation about government intent. While Red Hook was up in arms in early 2013 about what was called the Red Hook Option, which would have created landfill composed of canal dredgings at the foot of the Gowanus, folks in Gowanus were worrying about the fate of their public swimming pool. In addition to cleaning up the canal, the EPA has made part of its mission mitigation of ongoing sewer flows that continue to contaminate the Gowanus. Because of limited sewer capacity, raw sewage is flushed into the canal during heavy rain events. The EPA has demanded that NYC build two large tanks to hold this sewage in, until water levels fall and the sewage can be routed to treatment plants. One tank is to be placed at mid canal. The controversy is about the other tank, which needs to be placed at the top of the canal. From the beginning, Tsiamis has insisted that the most logical course of action would be to dig up the pool and place the tank underneath, then restore the pool. The reason for this is twofold - firstly, the city already owns the land and would not have to pay to purchase a large, expensive plot. Secondly, borings have found the ground under the pool to be highly contaminated with the same coal tar wastes that lie under the Gowanus. These highly toxic wastes are the result of 19th century pollution from the days when coal was turned into methane gas which provided lighting for NYC in those days before the electric grid was thought about. Local residents are upset about the fact that the park would have to be closed for a minimum of two years while the tank is placed and the pool rebuilt. In addition, the City has opposed the Superfund designation from the beginning. Mayor Bloomberg felt that less costly methods could be used to mitigate the pollution. According to EPA rules, it is the polluters who pay for
cleanup. In this case, it is the City and National Westminster, the successor company to Brooklyn Union, who are liable for a major portion of the $500 million cleanup tab. While Tsiamis recommended the pool as the most logical place for the placement of the tank, that was only done in an advisory role. He has stated in the past that the city can choose any site it wishes, as long as it is someplace. Earlier this year, the NYC DEP commissioned a $50 million study of the area to find an appropriate site. The result of the $50 million expense was the recommendation of the Thomas Greene Park or three lots next to it, that are now owned by private businesses. Were the city to choose the latter option, they would have to clear the land and relocate the private businesses at their expense. It is likely that no matter what land the city chooses for the tanks, the pool would have to be dug up anyway. The DEP will make a determination as to the remediation under the pool this December. As with the toxins under the canal, National Westminster would be footing the bill for the park remediation. Tsiamis began his presentation with a history of the site. He showed photos of the park as it appeared in the 1930’s, surrounded by heavy industry. He exhibited a map detailing the results of
He went on to say that eminent domain, which would be used to relocate the businesses on the three lots adjacent to the park, were that the choice, was closer to theft than would closing a park for two years be. He went on to explain that the excavation needed for the placement of the retention tank will require a large staging area - and were the three lots chosen, it is most likely that the park would be closed anyway while the construction proceeded.
Tsiamis and the offending flyer. (photos by George Fiala)
Following the presentation, the floor was opened up for questions. Katia Kelly, publisher of the local blog Pardon Me for Asking, posited that the city is using the prospect of alternate sites as a way to slow the process down. She writes in her blog that none of the owners of those lots has as of yet been approached by DEP with the prospect of buying their land.
Christos said that the EPA never chooses to go for eminent domain if an alternative exists. EPA lawyer Brian Carr, also at the meeting, estimated the three plots of land to be worth upwards of $100 million. Christos, seemingly desiring the best for the Gowanus community, told the CAG that the community should pick its battles. The battle should be for a clean canal and a better Double D park - not delaying what will eventually have to be done sooner or later.
story and photos by Kimberly Gail Price
Map showing possible placement of the upper retention tank.
borings made color coding the areas of toxicity. He then showed photos of a world class pool that the city built on top of a waste facility next to the Hudson River in Harlem. His point was that a rebuilt park could actually be an improvement to the current facility. He saved his wrath for a flyer that circulated in the neighborhood designed by a group called Friends of Thomas Greene Park.
Tsiamis pointed out that the words on the flyer are exactly wrong — that if it turns out that the DEP does not feel the park should be remediated, then the polluter - National Grid - would NOT pay.
Red Hook Star-Revue
“It’s not theft,” he declared. “It’s called capital improvements.”
End of the line for Long Island College Hospital
The flyer reads: “Controlling raw sewage should NOT mean a raw deal for our neighborhood! Hey EPA! Make the polluters pay - NOT OUR COMMUNITY. Save the Double ‘D’ Pool and Thomas Greene Park.”
Terri Thompson of National Grid clarifying a comment she had made about the NYS DEC and Double D”D’ Park.
tine days, when people could fish and enjoy the water.
People who spend their lives working for the EPA do so mainly because they want to restore public land - not steal it. Tsiamis has said in the past that one of his goals is to return the canal to its pris-
At 8 am on Halloween morning, a small group of NYSNA and LICH supporters gathered outside the hospital one last time. Earlier in the week, Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli signed off on SUNY’s deal to sell the full-service hospital to Fortis property group any NYU. A free-standing emergency room and luxury housing are planned for the site. At 9:15 am, the last remaining Long Island College Hospital (LICH) employees left their jobs for the last time. They walked into emotional embraces with colleagues and friends who spent more than 18 months fighting to keep the hospital “open for care.”
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Purple banners covered nearly all of the former LICH signs. Among protests, New York University administrators pulled off the black coverings to reveal the new logo bearing the words “NYU Langone Medical Center.” NYU made little presentation, as they quietly carried out the switchover. A walk-in patient was escorted by more than a dozen NYU staffers quickly and quietly just before 9:30 am, marking the first patient of the newly owned medical facility. Although the hospital site will be used as an emergency department, NYU will not be offering many life-saving services needed to constitute many situations, such as an intensive care unit (ICU).
November 2014, Page 3