Gowanus Canal Conservatory Site Visit

I had no previous knowledge of the severity the Gowanus Canal is facing.  Taking this tour and learning of its past history has empowered me to realize the many issues the canal presents to the surrounding community. The canal has been polluted for over 150 years by the various surrounding businesses and run-off water. Having the tour guide explain that the ground itself is polluted over 5 feet under, I can’t imagine how such a clan u can be reached to one day have clean (safe) water.

The pollution came from run-off water and multiple businesses such as: a coal company, a cement, human waste and uncontrolled dumping. The EPA has called the site a Superfund and has allocated over $500 million dollars for its cleanup. The Gowanus Canal Conservatory is assisting in transforming the surrounding street along the canal to prevent run-off water to enter the canal by planting green spaces, trees and plants. The Whole Foods store has implemented various energy saving technologies; such as solar panels, wind farms and a greenhouse atop the store. Rezoning has allowed new building developments along the canal and surrounding businesses are more conscious of their impact; such as the cement company not washing their trucks on premises so the runoff water does not enter the canal.

Please read the following article for Monday March 9. A second article will be added to the assigned readings by the weekend.

A Vision faces and Environmental Test

Environmental Econ Presentation_PHer

For those who have signed up for the tour on Monday, March 2, we will be meeting at the site (see map below).

Please see below for directions from CityTech to the site. The tour begins at 12:00 and runs until 1:30. You will have plenty of time to return to campus in time for later classes.

We will meet at the Union St. bridge between Nevins and Bond St. The closest train stop is the R at Union St/4th Ave or the F/G at Carroll and Smith St, both marked on the map below.

To prepare for this tour:

1) Prepare a list of questions to ask to obtain more information about the site and the tour (for example; What is the history of the Gowanus Canal? How/why did it become polluted? What work is the Conservancy doing? How has the local community been impacted by the site over time? Think of questions that the tour raises for you.

2) Document your findings; take photographs; notes, etc. or obtain quotes from tour leader.

3) Post photos; summary of key information on Open Lab.

Gowanus Canal Conservancy – map