Posts under ‘Jamaica Bay’

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.

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?