(Washington, DC) - Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens) and Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) conducted an inspection and hosted a briefing on the status of the cleanup of Flushing Bay and Creek. Crowley and Ackerman hosted the briefing with community activists, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Port Authority and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in order to receive an update on the issue and coordinate planning for future action.

"Flushing Bay and Creek has long been a serious health and environmental issue for the people of Queens" Crowley said. "I am proud to stand with my friend and colleague Gary Ackerman as we demand answers from the  City and  the Federal Government on ways to help move this process along and ensure the water bodies  are dredged and restored to their natural state."

"Flushing Bay and Creek are among New York's most valuable natural resources" Ackerman said. "They are also excellent sources for commerce and recreation. It is vital that we continue with its clean-up plan to prevent further deterioration so that its natural beauty can be restored."

"For decades, people have been driven away from the Flushing River because of its stench and repulsive appearance" added Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing). "With this effort, we are taking back the River.  Flushing can and will have a waterfront accessible to the general public. The River should be a focal point of Flushing, a destination of Choice."

BACKGROUND

Due to the close proximity of LaGuardia Airport, years of pollution, the combined sewage overflow from area neighborhoods and water obstruction due to the illegally placed Seawall, Flushing Bay and Creek has long been a serious health, environmental and quality of life concern for Queens's residents.

Congressman Crowley and Congressman Ackerman have been strong advocates of an organized cleanup through the coordinated efforts of state, city and federal funds and agencies.  

Crowley secured language in the 2005 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that ensured involvement on a federal level with the long term cleanup and renewal of Flushing Bay and Creek. In addition, he has secured over $10 million for the clean-up and dredging of this water body, and organized his own Flushing Bay and Creek Task Force of government and community leaders to continue to discuss this issue.

FLUSHING BAY and CREEK

The City will open and operate a CSO (combined sewage overflow) treatment facility in Flushing Creek.  The plant is expected to open in the spring of 2006 and operate under the NYCDEP. This treatment facility will cut CSO's in the creek by approximately 90%.  The Army Corps has agreed to begin dredging there to restore this section of the Creek and expects to begin in 2007, after a public comment period.

There is currently no treatment facility in Flushing Bay. The Corps has established a list of conditions to be met for the Corps to begin their environmental dredging and remediation in the Bay. DEP has stated that by 2007 a plan will be in place to remediate Flushing Bay, however there is no guarantee that CSO tank construction or noticeable cleanup will begin right away.  

In addition, there is strong community support for the removal of the Seawall in the Bay. Although Crowley, Ackerman and community residents have pushed for the removal of the Seawall there has been little action by the Army Corps on this action. Crowley and Ackerman will continue to work with the Army Corps to resolve this issue. 

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