Report from State Senator Liz Krueger

 

Dear Friend,

 

As you know, I continue to be vehemently opposed the construction of the Marine Transfer Station (MTS) at E 91st Street; it poses a host of environmental safety and quality of life concerns to our entire community. You may remember that I wrote back in January about the pending renewal of the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation’s operating and construction permits previously approved for the MTS.  My colleagues in government and I called for a review of these permits, as conditions in the area have dramatically altered since the initial permits were issued. We also requested that DEC hold a public hearing, following a 30-day public comment period. 

 

I have recently been informed by DEC that as of Wednesday, June 24th, the public comment period is open, and will continue through July 24st. Submission of comments is crucial, as DEC will use these comments to determine the need for a hearing. This comment period provides an opportunity for those in the surrounding community most adversely impacted by this imprudent and over-reaching project, to have their voices heard.

 

I will be submitting written testimony in opposition to the renewal of these permits. I have numerous concerns over air quality, flood risk, traffic safety, and the safety of children using the Asphalt Green facilities. I urge my friends, neighbors and fellow activists to write individual letters of testimony to the DEC. These letters of opposition are necessary to apply pressure on DEC to hold a public hearing, and this is an integral next step in our fight against the MTS. 

 

Send letters of opposition to:

Iver M Anderson
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters
47-40 21st St
Long Island City, NY 11101-5407
(718) 482-4997
DEP.R2@dec.ny.gov

 

Please also feel free to submit a copy of your testimony directly to my office via email at liz@lizkrueger.com.

 

Comments should be substantive and specific complaints pertaining to the three construction and operating permits which are under review. You can view the permits, as well as a press release issued by DEC before submitting your letter: http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/20150624_reg2.html#262040000700013. Please take a minute to review some of my concerns below, which I will also be expressing in my own written testimony:

 

∙ Air quality on the Upper East Side and Southern Harlem is among the worst in the City. The continued use of #6 heating oil and traffic congestion contribute to these already unacceptable conditions. Adding hundreds of diesel burning garbage trucks per day and waste to a geographic area already over burdened with contaminants will aggravate the poor air quality already burdening this community.  While air monitoring for particulate matter (PM 10) is ongoing at the site, health threats from PM  2.5, which is considered to be more dangerous, remain unaddressed. 

 

∙  Superstorm Sandy has fundamentally changed the way we must approach construction along our waterfront.  During Superstorm Sandy, the area surrounding this site was flooded as much as four blocks in from the East River.  Following Sandy,  FEMA issued new flood maps indicating apparent danger to the MTS location and situation.  According to the new FEMA flood maps, the 91st St. MTS platform will sit more than five feet below the estimated 100 year floodplain, effectively placing the structure in danger and exposing the surrounding community and river to potentially polluted waters.  While the first floor of the MTS and its mechanicals have been “waterproofed,” DEC needs to examine the fact that structurally, nothing has been changed in the MTS plans to protect against such a scenario. 

 

∙  The surrounding area has seen a sharp upturn in population growth in addition to a significant number of construction projects currently underway, which will further exacerbate the problem.

 

∙  The immediate ten block radius surrounding the site is home to five new schools that opened since the original permit was approved.

 

∙  First and Second Avenues have seen the implementation of Select Bus Service, which occupy an entire lane, and First Avenue is now also home to a protected bike lane.  These changes in the streetscape have altered traffic patterns in the area in the time since the EIS was conducted.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Liz Krueger

State Senator