Gowanus/Red Hook
South Brooklyn Harbor Marine Field Station
EPA Superfund Designation of the Gowanus Canal is the best and most viable solution for a thorough & effective clean-up of this most toxic water body & land district in the country. In this we are insuring public health, environmental quality and the protection of property.
Act NOW! ...Click here to Superfund the Gowanus Canal NOW!
www.superfundgowanus.org
The Gowanus Canal is little historic and notorious estuarine waterway that flows through the heart of Brooklyn, veining through the communities of Carrol Gardens, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, Red Hook and Sunset Park. The Gowanus Canal is considered one of the most-used water and land areas in the country. In 2009, the EPA nominated the Gowanus Canal as a superfund site. In 35 years this is the first significant step taken to insure a pathway towards a much needed, real and viable clean-up and ecological restoration of the Gowanus Canal. With this level of national support the Gowanus Canal may qualify to take advantage of the EPA's Sediment Decontamination Program.
Army Corp of Engineers Data on contaminated sediment of the Gowanus Canal
The Coney Island Creek/Gravesend Bay is along the lower bay. The Lower Bay is classified as an area of great ecological significance to NY Harbor. The creek is home to the Dreiyer Offer Saltmarsh and is embraced by Kaiser Park on the east and Calvert Duveaux Park on the west. Both waterfront parks are under restoration. The area is also known as a sanctuary for migrating wading birds. This tidal urban estuarine waterway seperates Coney Island from the neighborhoods of Gravesend, Bensonhurst and Bath Beach, the other separating the neighborhoods of Sheepshead Bay and Manhattan Beach. Prior to construction of the Shore Parkway in the 1950s, Coney Island Creek was a strait connecting Gravesend Bay and Sheepshead Bay, making Coney Island an actual island. The area is also the site of an old incenerator that has operated illegally and unregulated for 35 years, burning every possible toxin known. This site is owned and operated by the NYC Department of Sanitation and slated to be converted into a Marine Transfer Station with great opposition from the community. Considering the legacy of severe contaminants on the site, it should also be considered as a superfund site. Just a few yards north at the entry to this old, illegally operated incinerator site is a children's amusement park. Immediately to its east is a marina, several local community boat clubs and a permanent home for mentally challenged children. Directly across the street is a densely populated family community of new americans from Russia, Central America, Asia and dozens of senior homes. A single lane road offers the only access to the park, a school bus depot, marina, shopping center with family eateries, the home for mentally challenged children, a children's amuzement park and this toxic waste dump along the waterfront. Environmental Justice is long overdue for the community.
Valentino Beach/ Lower Bay and Sunset Park Waterfront is a relatively new restored waterfront park in Red Hook offering the best views of the Lady Liberty. From its unique beach front, it is just a few paddle strokes and fin kicks across the buttermilk channel to Governor's Island; the shortest and safest distance to Governors Island from any where.
Fresh Creek/Jamaica Bay is located in the predominantly carribbean community of Canarsie and East Flatbush. Fresh Creek is a nature preserve of the Gateway Federal Parks and may be the only remenence of the Jamaica Bay that has remained “as is” since the days the local native americans harvested clams and oysters along this wetland.
UDEC Programs Offered at these sites:
Annual Gowanus Earth Day Flotilla Spring Clean-up
Since 2009 this tradition is now
going on its 11th year.
Gowanus Canal Monitor Project
Volunteer citizen pollution patrol with on-shore, on-water
and underwater clean-ups, plus on-water and on-shore coastal resource
environmental education.
Coney Island Creek Monitor Project
Volunteer citizen pollution patrol, shore, on
water and underwater clean-up, plus on water, on shore coastal resource
environmental education.
Fresh Creek Monitor Project
Volunteer citizen pollution patrol, shore, on water
and underwater clean-up.
Fresh Creek/Jamaica Bay Estuary Ecology and Coastal Resource Environmental
Education Field Trip and Workshop
on-water and on-shore environmental education
Valentino Piers
Throughout spring/summer/fall UDEC offers frequent weekend family
environmental education through recreation and cultural enrichment programs.
Including an annual ecocruise
to Governors Island aboard our unique 32ft Indian Shipping Canoe that accommodates
21 paddlers at time.
Eco-cruise series
Get On the Water NYC!..Urban Rivers Tour is frequently offered
at each site.
Get on our email list to receive info.