EPA Finalizes Plan for Cleanup of Newtown Creek's East Branch

By Williamsburg 365 Staff

Nearly 15 years after Newtown Creek was designated a federal Superfund site, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a plan for the early cleanup of its East Branch, one of the most contaminated sections.

The $243.5 million project targets an 11-acre stretch in a heavily industrialized area between Williamsburg and Maspeth. The cleanup will involve dredging at least three feet of polluted sediment, capping remaining contaminants, and stabilizing areas with injected concrete to prevent chemicals from resurfacing.

The East Branch is contaminated with harmful substances, including dioxins, PAHs, PCBs, and heavy metals like copper and lead, along with petroleum-based liquids. These pollutants, which are known to cause cancer and other serious health risks, have accumulated from decades of industrial dumping. While the cleanup plan is limited to this section, it aims to make the creek safer for humans and wildlife, providing a framework for future efforts in other areas of the Superfund site.

The EPA’s efforts will also include the installation of sealed bulkheads along the banks to stop further pollution from nearby lots. However, many surrounding properties remain outside the Superfund designation and fall under state jurisdiction, raising concerns about the potential for re-contamination. Once construction begins, the project is expected to take three years to complete, followed by long-term monitoring to ensure contaminants stay contained.

Advocates and local residents, while welcoming the action, have voiced concerns that the limited dredging depth may not address deeply embedded pollutants, risking potential recontamination. Environmental groups are urging the EPA to prioritize thorough cleanup measures to avoid similar issues faced by other Superfund sites, such as the nearby Gowanus Canal. They also emphasize the need for close collaboration between the EPA and state agencies to address pollution from nearby industrial lots.

photo: Google Maps