BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
PUBLIC SAFETY/ENV PROT/PERMITS/LICENSES COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 22, 2010
PRESENT:
D. ABRAHAM P. BLAKE H. CHERNOFF
D. KUMMER J. LODGE R. LOHIER
S. MILLER T. MISKEL G. REILLY
Y ROMAN M. SHAMES B. ZUCKERMAN
EXCUSED:
L. SONES
ABSENT:
T. ALEXANDER M. KOLMAN M. SCOTT
J. SKALLER B. SOLOTAIRE
GUESTS:
M. SCHWEINSBERG – REP. FOR HON. SARA GONZALEZ, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
M. CURTIN – REP. FOR HON. BRAD LANDER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
P. NELSON, REP. FOR HON. JOAN MILLMAN, STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER
O. JONES – REP. FOR HON. VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY, STATE SENATOR
B. CHEZAR N. ELBOGEN M. DONNELLY
L. MARIANO P. GERTNER M. YOUNG
MINUTES
The Chair, Bob Zuckerman called the meeting to order. Motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on December 21, 2009.
Presentation and discussion with representatives for Whole Foods on the
resumption of environmental remediation activities at 210-230 3rd Street and 370- 384 3rd Avenue (southwest corner of 3rd Street/3rd Avenue).
John Bodanski – BL Companies, an environmental consultant to Whole Foods made the
presentation.
The majority of clean-up at site done in 2005-2006 under the State Brownfield plan. Now on final steps under oversight by DEC and NYSDOH. This week and last – site preparation. Turbidity curtain in Gowanus Canal. Excavation will begin next week – 3 UST’s on site plus contaminated soil. Final report will be filed – then DEC will issue certificate.
Pauline Blake: Will Whole Foods remove any contaminated soils around USTs? ANS: Yes. Soils near UST”s will be tested and then removed if necessary.
UST’s: Fuel oil x 2 Hydrolic oil x 1
Trucks will be entering and leaving the site over the next 3-4 weeks. Remedial Action Plan available @ CG.
Steven Miller: What is reason for 2 feet of topsoil being added across the site? ANS: It caps any remaining contaminants. Top soil equals virgin rock being milled elsewhere for tunnel project. DEC will approve before use. No contamination will be left on site that could go into canal through ground water.
Community Session
Q: Relation to plan for basement kitchen at Whole Foods? A: There may need to be further excavation for that and plan will have to be approved.
Q: Will fill change the grade of the site? A: Grade will be 2 feet higher.
Q: How will that affect hydrology? A: Permeable fill should allow infiltration of site; won’t hold upland water back.
Q: How much soil will be removed before fill brought in? A: Different elevations to as much as 14 feet – all have been previously identified in various surveys.
Mark Shames: Superfund plan should be coordinated with this Brownfield plan.
Steve Miller: Has Whole Foods been in touch with EPA regarding PRPs? A: No contact from EPA. Whole Foods not being looked at as PRP. CAMP (Community Air Monitoring Plan) is being implemented. State Department has oversight.
Community Q: Remediation plan for adjoining lots acquired or leased by Whole Foods? (Red Hook Crusher and Lot 23) A: No – not part of Brownfield Cleanup Plan. Whole Foods still gaining info regarding these parcels.
Community Q: Possible to haul material out by barge? A: No – plan is to use trucks – part of approved plan.
Community Q: Did Whole Foods explore alternate remedial technologies – e.g. bio remediation? A: Yes – we did explore other technologies. Dig and haul was best alternative for this site.
Presentation and consideration of a letter of support for an application for a
Gowanus Watershed Initiative grant that proposes various Combined Sewer Overflow reduction measures for the Gowanus Canal.
Bart Chezar: Re Proposal submitted to DEP for funds under Gowanus Watershed Initiative re CSO’s. 11 CSO’S in Gowanus Canal 377 gallons of CSO’s going into Gowanus Canal per year.
City plan will reduce to 250 MM gallons per year. NY/NJ Baykeeper is sponsor of my proposal. Project focuses on one CSO (OG-007) responsible for 69 MM gallons. Park Slope watershed sources. Smart technologies – use of data to control outcomes. Placement of rain water cisterns without flow valves at various buildings that would respond to data coming out of CSO regulators.
Behavioral component of project: Technology to notify participants of CSO risk so they can alter use of water. 35 Prospect Park West to participate.
Steven Miller: What is advantage over city’s plan for large tanks? A: Less costly.
Motion was made by Jim Lodge and seconded by Tom Miskel.
CB6 should send letter to DEP in support of Bart Chezar’s proposal (along lines of draft letter) – but not exclusive of support for other proposals.
Mark Shames: We shouldn’t send letter when we don’t know what other proposals are out there. Also – there’s no local NFP involved.
Pauline Blake: We are saying this is best proposal.
Problem: Application has to be in with letters by February 26th. Board won’t be able to
vote until March 10th.
Ray Lohier: Motion is moot.
VOTE: 6…..AYES 3…..NAES 2…..ABSTENTIONS
MOTION: PASSED
Motion made by Mark Shames and seconded by Steve Miller.
CB6 should invite all applicants under RFP to make presentations to this community at a later date.
VOTE: 12…..AYES 0…..NAES
MOTION: PASSED
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was