Gowanus Canal cleanup so behind schedule, 2nd dredging may be needed, watchdog says

The $1.5 billion effort to rid the Gowanus Canal of toxic sludge is so behind schedule and over budget due to government mismanagement that the canal may have to be re-dredged, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's watchdog.involving the removal of 600,000 cubic yards of cancer-causing coal tar, and the construction of two combined sewer overflow tanks that would limit toxic waste in the waterway. But the project is more than six years behind schedule.

The canal is one of the nation’s most seriously contaminated bodies of water, according to the EPA. Tanneries, oil refineries and numerous other industries in the area began using it as a dumping ground in the 19th century. It was placed on theof heavily contaminated sites in 2010, which initiated the cleanup process. Companies responsible for the contamination help foot the bill.

The report cited several reasons for the delay, including city and federal officials' failure to agree on multiple aspects of the project, including its design and schedule. The overflow tanks are now in the early stages of construction. “They're now dredging 600,000 cubic yards of this cancer-causing coal tar crud that's all along the bottom of the canal,” said Walter Hang, president of Toxics Targeting, which tracks contaminated areas. “The problem is they haven't abated the sources of pollution. And so the pollution continues to migrate into the canal.”

“EPA, the State of New York, and the City of New York simply ignored the endemic failure to comply with both the Superfund law and the Clean Water Act during a rushed redevelopment process that will ultimately increase the number of New Yorkers exposed to known contaminants,” the group wrote in an email.

The bottom of the canal contains an array of toxic chemicals including mercury, lead and compounds known as PCBs and PAHs, according to environmental experts.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Texas Panhandle Wildfire Claims 2nd Life, Largest Fire in State’s History, 2nd Largest in U.S.Source of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Source: BreitbartNews - 🏆 610. / 51 Read more »

Canoeing in a Superfund SiteEric Lach on how paddling in the Gowanus Canal, in Brooklyn, has inspired Brad Vogel to write poetry about toxic sludge, floating condoms, and gentrification.
Source: NewYorker - 🏆 90. / 67 Read more »

Notre Dame tops Ole Miss in 2nd round of women's NCAA tourneyNotre Dame tops Ole Miss in 2nd round of women's NCAA tourney
Source: cbschicago - 🏆 546. / 51 Read more »

“Wonderful World” Ratings Rise For 2nd Episode“Wonderful World” Ratings Rise For 2nd Episode
Source: soompi - 🏆 574. / 51 Read more »

NYPD: Bronx teen fatally shot leaving school — 2nd teen death within a weekNYPD: Bronx teen fatally shot leaving school — 2nd teen death within a week
Source: Gothamist - 🏆 456. / 53 Read more »

BABYMONSTER’s “Stuck In The Middle” Becomes Their 2nd MV To Surpass 100 Million ViewsBABYMONSTER’s “Stuck In The Middle” Becomes Their 2nd MV To Surpass 100 Million Views
Source: soompi - 🏆 574. / 51 Read more »