Gateway National Park, Brooklyn, NY- New York State Assembly Member Jaime Williams (NY-D-59th Assembly District) along with New York State Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer-Amato (NY-D-23rd Assembly District), New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (NY-D-19th Senate District), National Park Service and the US Army Corp of Engineers toured the 84 acre site at Dead Horse Bay/Bottle Beach located opposite Floyd Bennet Field.

The early 1870s established Dead Horse Bay as a central dumping ground for dead horse carcasses. Within the following decades, the New York Sanitary Utilization company has dumped un-processable refuse such as glass bottles into the bay. Additionally, the lack of environmental legislature at the time, allowed for the increased disposal of solid waste. Topographic maps have revealed that mounds of solid waste generated between 1948 and 1955, reached an elevation of 25 feet.

Current investigations by the NPS has revealed that, some of the deposited solid waste at the bay exhibits radiological and chemical contamination. Buried within the near surface soil of Dead Horse Bay, were deck markers. Historically, the military has often used this apparatus to provide light to dimly lit areas. It has been found that deck markers contain radium. Laboratory results have revealed that, the leakage of the deposited deck markers, resulted in the radiological contamination of encompassing soil, reaching a depth of two feet. Through the emission of gamma radiation, the contaminant, radium-226 has been discovered.

In addition to the discovery of radiological contamination, chemical contamination has also been rampant, observed through the abundance of pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals within the bay’s soil. Throughout time, erosion has played a major role in releasing much of the past’s buried debris; opening New York’s time capsule of dangerous refuse and its associated contaminants, causing potential exposure to visitors. Besides erosion, unauthorized digging may also contribute to the unearthing of hazardous materials. Being in direct contact with deck markers or other various man-made, radiological items may result in exposure to contamination and can be detrimental to one’s health.

“This is not an incident of gasoline that has made its way to shore. This is the resurfacing of one of the world’s most hazardous materials, thought to be buried away that is bringing potential disaster to the wildlife, environment and of course all of the residents residing in and around the bay. I do not believe there is a more poignant lesson to be learned about treating the environment with respect and working in a conscientious way to ensure that we preserve our city, state, country or even our world for future generations,” stated Assembly Member Jaime Williams.

“Yesterday’s walkthrough of Dead Horse Bay was crucial to understanding the scope, size, and significance of the needed remediation. Thank you to the National Parks Service and my colleagues in the state legislature for coming together to support this incredible effort to preserve and protect Jamaica Bay-the ecological gem of New York City,” continued Assembly Member Pheffer-Amato.

NPS has now closed the southern section of Dead Horse Bay to the public in order to protect the public whilst conducting comprehensive investigation. The goal of the investigation is to further identify the radiological and chemical contaminants and their range of exposure within the bay, in addition to assessing their risk to the human population and the environment. Appropriate cleanup procedures will also be evaluated in order to provide a safer environment for future use.

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), ensures that NPS will rigorously investigate the site and develop an efficient cleanup initiative to rehabilitate the local environment within the bay so inhabitant species may thrive, out of harm’s way. Needless to say this will be a lengthy and slow methodical process, estimated to take close to, if not longer than 20 years however, this comprehensive operation will ensure that one day, New York City’s population will be able to convene at Dead Horse Bay, safely.

“I can assure all of the citizens of New York State that we will do all we can to expedite this remediation and we will take preventative measures to ensure that a hazardous event, such as this, will not occur in the future. I know I can speak for Senator Persaud and Assembly Member Pheffer-Amato that we stand in solidarity to prevent these types of issues from ever occurring again,” stated Assembly Member Jaime Williams.

Accompanying by Assembly Member Jaime Williams and Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer-Amato, on the tour was, tour leader Gateway Superintendent Jen Nersesian, Jamaica Bay Unit Manager Dave Taft, Public Affairs Specialist Daphne Yun, and US Army Corps NY District Project Manager Kathleen Cuzzolino, was an eye-opening experience. “The ramifications of over a century of environmental neglect from a bygone industrial era in Brooklyn’s history has created an alarming situation,” said Senator Persaud. “Unfortunately, New Yorkers today are the ones paying the price with radioactive debris from the former dumping site contaminating the shoreline. As an environmentalist, it is my duty to help protect our local waterways and the Jamaica Bay coastline for future generations. We will continue our partnership to examine the contamination studies of Dead Horse Bay and remedies to restore the beach to its former glory.” continued Senator Persaud.