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Jamaica Bay Blight

Taskforce formed, long-term plans in process


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Many will remember the summer of 2020 as a time where folks created unique recreational experiences during the coronavirus pandemic – most experiences legal, some are just outside the law. 

There are a growing number of individuals who have taken to the latter and have begun utilizing the lower level of the Joseph Addabbo Bridge as an ad-hoc four-wheel-drive beach, which is not only illegal but damaging to the shoreline. 

To make matters worse, several of those who have been using the space have left their trash behind – blighting the area with not only food/alcohol waste but with larger construction/automotive debris as well. 

Dan Mundy, Jr., President of the Broad Channel Civic Association and the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, spoke with The Wave after posting photos of the eyesore on the Ecowatchers Facebook page. 

“People are using the space for recreation – swimming and barbequing leaving nearly 3-4 dumpsters of garbage behind..people won’t police themselves,” Mundy explained. 

Mundy, a life-long Broad Channel resident, is heavily involved in protecting the environment and has a long history working with elected officials and government agencies to achieve that protection. 

“Because of rain, lots of that trash is going to wash directly into the bay, it’s so upsetting… right now the largest source point due to polluting Jamaica Bay is this volume of garbage,” said Mundy, discussing how storms like the recent Tropical Storm Fay can cause additional damage to the area. 

Policing the area has been a challenge for law enforcement as signage has been repeatedly placed but illegally removed.

Mundy further shared that a task force has formed with his known colleagues in several levels of government in an effort to begin thwarting this new toxic threat to Jamaica Bay. 

Those included in that task force include State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, NYC Councilman Eric Ullrich, along with representatives of the Department of Transportation and the National Parks Service. 

In speaking with a spokesperson at DOT, the department offered the following comment: “Historically, DOT has worked with a community partner to address the issues with litter on this bridge. However, in light of the ongoing COVID- 19 crisis, as we begin to restart many of our operations, we are currently evaluating ways we might resume work on the bridge that will be most safe for our workers and those of our partner. 

Senator Addabbo spoke directly with The Wave and commented, “This requires a short-term and a long-term solution. In the short-term — a big clean up, the long-term solution would be a “jersey barrier and a large swing gate that would keep out trespassers. Trash receptacles would also be helpful.”

Addabbo continued, “Jamaica Bay is a beautiful area, and what we are dealing with are the choices of the few who destroy it for the many.” 

In dealing with the short-term goal, a representative from Councilman Ullrich’s office added the following statement: “Our office has received several complaints about trash and debris along and adjacent to the Addabbo Bridge. I am pleased to share that we have enlisted the help of the Wildcat Service Corporation for a much-needed clean-up effort of the area. I’d like to thank Wildcat for their continued partnership and for all they do to keep our neighborhoods beautiful.” 

The Wildcat Service Corporation is similar in service to the Doe Fund, as a non-profit that facilitates people who are working to rehabilitate their lives through service.

From Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato, “I toured the bridge with NPS staff, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., and a representative from Councilman Ulrich’s office to get an in-depth view of the situation, and better understand the problem. The conditions we found there were absolutely unacceptable and disgusting. Our offices have committed to working together, with the National Parks Service and the New York City Department of Transportation, to propose and implement short and long term solutions for the bridge with an emphasis on cleanliness, enforcement, and restricting access for cars who drive under the bridge. 

If we can clean this area up, and sustain that level of cleanliness – we can usher in a new era of recreation around the bridge.”

While a long-term solution to this problem is still under development, The Wave will continue to follow this story and share with you the details as they are available to us. 

Photos: Courtesy of Dan Mundy, Jr. 

One response to “Jamaica Bay Blight”

  1. Jen lopez says:

    I’m glad something is being done to combat the trash left behind at the north end of the bridge, I don’t understand why these people cannot clean up after themselves. Another area that needs attention greatly is the south end of the bridge where the parking lots are. Many people discard their prayer offerings directly into the water. These include brightly colored cloths, lighted candles on aluminiun trays which are allowed to float a little ways before sinking, and foodstuffs. At low tide one can see a lot of these debris on the bottom of the bay. Hope you can address this issue as well.

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