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Posts under ‘Creek’

Ghost Ships

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ETO & SSJ Development are Playing Tag with NYPD Harbor and DEP attempting to to dump boats in various parts of the creek.

You may be asking your self what happened those boats that were 1) floating around the creek slamming into everything and 2) the boats at the property?

Well funny story. They seem to be popping up everywhere even after being returned to ETO (Lacon Ct) twice!

The boat that was adrift: First, NYPD Harbor had returned it to after it was originally adrift, then it mysteriously showed up tied up to the DEP pumping station (a pump to pump out bathrooms on boats), Harbor had to returned it again, only to find it tied to the DEP pumping station the next day. Harbor returned it again and is now investigating.

Is the ETO playing tag?

The boat that next to the boat that sank: Tuns out someone removed the boat last week and dumped it to a local marina.

Now there are TWO abandoned boats without registration on the water.

Maybe we should call ETO for help. Isn’t that what they do???

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DEC Arrests Two GB Fisherman, SSJ Still Not Issued $10,000 fine

The State Environmental Conservation Officers recently arrested two fishermen in Brooklyn for catching dozens of striped bass that were undersized and in excess of allowable limits, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced.

(Media-Newswire.com) – State Environmental Conservation Officers recently arrested two fishermen in Brooklyn for catching dozens of striped bass that were undersized and in excess of allowable limits, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ( DEC ) today announced.

While on marine patrol in the Breezy Point area, Environmental Conservation Officers ( ECO ) Jamie Powers and Kevin Thomas spotted activities on a boat that made them suspect poaching and they tracked the vessel back to its dock in Shell Bank Creek off Seba Avenue. There, the ECOs witnessed John Arena of Parksville, Sullivan County, and Mark Sarubbi of Brooklyn, struggling to drag two totes full of striped bass up to a truck.

The officers then approached the men and began counting the catch. The fishermen, who realized their day of “good” fishing had just met its end, watched as the ECOs counted out 46 striped bass – the legal recreational limit for the trip for both men is only 2. The fish weighed a total of 295 pounds and the vast majority of the fish – 40 – were less than the minimum size requirement of 28 inches.

Arena and Sarubbi were arrested and charged with possession of 40 undersized Striped Bass; possession of 44 Striped Bass over the legal recreational harvest limit; possession of 46 untagged Striped Bass; taking Striped Bass for Commercial Purposes without a permit; and failing to possess a valid food fish license. Additional charges are anticipated.

Their arraignment is scheduled for early December. They are facing thousands of dollars in fines and a possible four years in prison. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The fish were seized and destroyed because Striped Bass are not permitted to be harvested for commercial sale from waters west of East Rockaway Inlet due to the potential level of contaminants in the fish.

Information on illegal harvest of any species of saltwater fish, shellfish or crabs can be reported to the Marine Enforcement Unit at ( 631 ) 444-0460 or by using the toll-free number of 1-877-457-5680.

Granted the 44 striped bass is a bit much and the fisherman accused should know the la but how is it that DEC will crack down on fisherman and not other BIGGER fish?!

In Gerritsen Beach the DEC wastes their time going after people who was their cars on their street because it washes into the creek while SSJ Development, ETO and Stephen Jemal get a free pass, for refusing to clean the docks and the boats that have been sinking!

Boat Raised Up by ETO

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ETO raised up the boat today that sank off the Danza Stephen Jemals Property last week. The coast guard was on hand to observe the raising

The boat like any other boat that sinks in the creek caused a fuel spill in and around the area.

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Problems Persist for ETO and Jemal

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Yesterday a boat that was docked at Stephen Jemals property was floating around unattended, bumping into docks and other boats. Harbor patrol was able to secure the boat and returned it to a slip on the Jemals property.

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ETO Creek Disaster

SUNK BOAT

Our good friends Stephen Jemal and ETO have been up to no good lately.

First, A boat sank while docked on Stephen Jemals property at the old riveria marina and as a result the gas and oil leaked into the creek. The coast guard was notified and filed a report. Separately, On the same property a sailboat dry docked flipped over and is resting on a utility pole.

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Then, the docks that were supposed to be cleared away or face stiff fines from the DEC, have started to float away and have now have ended up at various parts in the creek becoming navigable hazards.

Even more horribly an ETO worker was seriously injured, while working for ETO, receiving 35 stitches in his forehead and is facing personal bankrupcy, due to the resulting medical bills.
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Looks like ETO has turned out to be a disaster on the property.

Update 10/29/09 -  Email from Greg Moss Director of ETO:

Your recent article “ETO Creek Disaster” is grossly inaccurate and we would like you to make the necessary edits.

“First, A boat sank while docked on Stephen Jemals property at the old riveria marina, as a result the gas and oil leaked into the creek. The coat guard was notified and filed a report. On the same property a sailboat that flipped over and is resting on a utility pole.”

This boat had nothing to do with the ETO – there must be other people that were given permission to use the property.

“Then, the docks, that were supposed to be cleared away or face fines, have started to float away and have ended up at various parts in the creek becoming navigable hazards.”

We haven’t began or anticipate beginning any work on these docks.

“Even more horribly, an ETO worker was seriously injured, while working for ETO, receiving 35 stitches in his forehead and now no one is helping him out with his medicial bills or taking responsibility for his injury. The worker has called Jemals office with no response.”

This person had no affiliation to the ETO (and you misspelled “medical” in your article.)

I appreciate what you are trying to do here and your website is a great way for the Gerritsen Beach community to stay current with events. However, if you want to be a quality investigative reporter you should really do you homework before publishing anything.

Greg Moss, Director

Belt Parkway Rain Runoff Pouring into Creek

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At the last property owners meeting it was brought up that there is a pipe across from kiddie beach, connected to the parkway, that has water pouring out of it during and after rain storms draining into the creek.

If true this is true this would be in violation of federal law. Highway water runoff has to be drained into open bodies of water. The creek does not qualify as an open body of water.

Mike Taylor, Chairman of GBCares along with George Broadhead, President of the GB Property Owners took our Assemblyman Alan Maisel for a tour where the pipe was discussed and it was promised to be looked into and followed up on.

White Island Spraying – Death to Phragmites

White Island is scheduled to be sprayed with round-out next week to kill the phragmites, that just won’t leave that island.

Coming in via Dennis Flynn, Project Manager, Brooklyn Capital Projects Division

As I am sure most of you are aware, the sand stockpiling on White Island is almost complete. We are happy to report that it looks like we will be able to get the full 150,000 cubic yards of sand necessary for the next phase of the project. Although stockpiling operations have extended further into October than we had hoped, it appears that it will still be possible to engage in a round of spraying for the phragmites before the first frost. To achieve this, our contractor must start as soon as possible- ideally sometime next week (probably Wednesday October 14th). Unfortunately this will not allow us to give the community a 30 day advance notice as we would have liked. As was requested, we are avoiding the annual event that was described as the community end-of-year celebration. The contractor expects three days of spraying (weather permitting). All spray will be limited to the upland portion of the island (above the 10’ contour) just as it was for the last spray (August 2007). The material used will be the same as the last spray [Touchdown Pro] with the same precautions and restrictions regarding wind speed and rain as required by NYSDEC. We apologize for the short notice but this second application is an important step to weaken the phragmites and help prevent it from coming back so aggressively which is critical for the success of the next phase.

So there you have it they will “probably” be spraying around Wednesday October 14th.

Be warned do not stand downwind with your mouth wide open.

Upcoming Event: Canal Party 2009

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Date: Sunday, September 6, 2009
Time: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: The Canal.

[Tug of War Canal Party 2008]

The Canal Party is the most unique in block party in Brooklyn!

The canal party is a semi-private event on the Gerritsen Beach Canal, which started in 1998. All residents on the canal are encouraged to have their own private party with family and friends in their back yards.

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[Water Tube Races Paul Sarubbi Canal Party 2008}

Upcoming Event: Oarsome, G.G.R.M.M.B.B.R. 2009

Great Gerritsen Round Mau Mau Barrell of Beer Race
[Shirt Design by NickLak]

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2009
Time: 12:00pm – 5:30pm
Location: At the southern most end of Gerritsen Ave.

Its that time of the year again for the “Great Gerritsen Round Mau Mau Barrell of Beer Race”.

The Boat races are being help Sept. 12th

I’m not sure how you could check out this event, if you don’t have a boat or at least a friend with a boat, but im sure those in the know can figure this out.

2008 Photo Gallery

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[G.G.R.M.M.B.B.R. 2008]

This Is Whats Happening With White Island Now


[Whole White Island Meeting at Property Owners Meeting]

Phase 1 is already semi complete, which was clearing all of the vegetation on the island (trees and fragmities)above the 10 foot contour, this was for survey purposes this was completed last July.

Now is the second phase which is the full redesign of the island. Which is broken down into two parts. The first part is to stabilize the island, not using sandbags but a more permanent solution, Armour Stone. These 2,000 lb stones will be put on the side the island where the sandbags are, right on top of as not to disturb or let loose anything being held back.

The second part is to cap the island, with about 150,000 yards of sand, which then the island will be replanted with all grassland. The 150,000 of sand is coming from a recent army core dredging project in Rockaway inlet They will be bringing in everything by barge until the end of september.

Right now they are currently stockpiling the sand until their plan is approved by NY State DEC. Which when it is approved the plan will be sent out for bid for a contractor to do the work.

They are looking to start “construction” in the spring.

They even put out a fact sheet detailing their project: [click image for a PDF]
White Island Letter

Additional Information

  • The island is now and will be off-limits to the public.
  • A temporary bridge from the golf course to the Island WILL NOT be necessary since a marine based delivery system is being used to move sand onto the island.
  • The sand being delivered is from an Army Corps of Engineer’s dredge contract within Rockaway Inlet.
  • Sand that is being stockpiled on the island will not and cannot be moved until plans are approved by NYSDEC and a permit is granted.
  • Community members have requested that the horizontal members from old bridge be removed due to safety concerns. DPR will include this scope as part of the Phase 2 reconstruction contract.
  • All woody material will be cut and grubbed from the island surface in preparation for the grassland creation.
  • As part of the Phase 2 construction, the White Island shoreline will be reinforced with three slope treatments:
    • Armor Stone
    • Articulated Concrete Block
    • Cellular Confinement Systems
  • Four types of grassland habitat will be created over the island: tall grass meadow, short grass meadow, maritime grassland, and dune planting.

There was also a water, sand and soil test done on the island. Here is the report.
[Warning PDF]
Fullscreen capture 8102009 84700 PM

White Island Meeting Roundup

The “public” “working” White Island Meeting

In attendance was GBCares, Alan Maisel, NYC Parks, NYS DEC, The Army Core of Engineers, a representative from Anthony Weiner and Representative from Marty Golden, surprisingly no Lew Fidler Lew was at the brooklyn dreams meeting, they were representing each other. There were also several community leaders and members, about 30 in attendance.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a recent NYC Parks report that addresses the pollution levels in and around White Island, as well as to discuss how Parks and DEC will be capping the island.

The White Island capping project is a NYC Parks project, being supervised by the NYS DEC.

According to the NYC Park report (download) there are low levels of Cadmium, mercury and lead, all below federal levels. They were measured in parts per billion, the levels are almost nonexistent.

The pollution, which was a main concern, turned into a non-issue. A DEC representatives even pointed out that they would eat the fish around here.

Due to availability Parks will be bringing in and stockpiling sand now. There will be three piles of sand on top the island. They will be leaving them on the island until, plans get approved, and weeds are again sprayed.

The three separate piles is to not put all weight in one spot allowing pressure to push out whatever the island is made out of into the water.

They are also currently chipping and clearing out the dead trees they had cleared and left on the island, to make it suitable for braining in the sand.

They will be bringing all sand and heavy equipment by barge.

Swimming, boating skiing jet skis will NOT be affected

They are planning to spray to kill weeds in late Sept.

There will be another, this time public, meeting about White Island at the next GBPOA meeting 8/5 at St. James or maybe the Cort Club. The location has not been announced yet.

This information came from Alan Maisel, via a phone conversation. He  again explained why I was dis-invited was that it was a working meeting. That his “everyone” invitation was intended for the GBPOA Board members. He also explained that he never had said that there will be no meeting if I show up. I respectively call shenanigans.

Alan also thanked relayed the GerritsenBeach.net members for the multiple phone and email messages to his office. You people are brutal! Alan is a socialist nazi?

Bulkhead Construction on $9Mil Knapp Lot

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[Bulkhead Construction]

The lot which is currently on sale for $9 million, is currently undergoing bulkhead repairs. This is not the city repairing the bulkhead as some may have first thought, but the property owner. They have also repaired the entire sidewalk on Knapp Street adjacent to their property

GBCares Container Burglary

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Tools being used by Gerritsen Beach Cares volunteers and staff have been stolen from their containers.

The equipment stolen includes: Weed Wackers, a speaker system, other maintenance tools..etc. Totaling a few thousand dollars.

If anyone knows where these tools are or who actually perpetuated the crime please call the 63rd Precinct as soon as possible.

If you can volunteer or can donate new ones, call GBCares at 718-648-3745.

You could always call GBCares if you know who stole these items, so they could be beaten talked to.
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How NOT to Dump Your Construction Garbage

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End of Florence.

Usually when you do any construction… you usually get a dumpster but hey! why get one of those pesky things when you can just dump right into the creek?

Hell most of the bulkheads are falling apart right? What your doing is saving the street?

Well WRONG. Although its not one of the new ones put in, that bulkhead is in decent shape and the cement actually does massive amounts of damage to the water.

Thanks.

White Island Meeting Thursday at Cort Club

Alan Maisels office in conjunction with GBCares is holding a meeting (which anyone can attend) this Thursday 7pm at the Cort Club to discuss White Island.

They will be discussing the results of a NYC Parks report analyzing the pollution that is seeping from the original seal of white island.

Residents are concerned about the new project specifically the new recapping the island that will add additional pressure to the waste.