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Supertorm Sandy's Toxic Storm Surge
In the midst of Superstorm Sandy and in its devastating wake, Riverkeeper encouraged volunteers to meet the most pressing humanitarian needs, while drawing public attention via the press and social media to the flood of sewage and toxic chemicals that polluted our water during the unprecedented storm surge. “The toxic legacy from this storm will continue. This is like an Exxon Valdez spill from nonpoint sources,” said Capt. John Lipscomb, who witnessed everything from 55-gallon drums and quart-sized containers of transmission fluid floating by, to fuel leaking from wrecked boats and swamped vehicles. Riverkeeper’s boat was unharmed, and was among a select few vessels approved to patrol New York City waters, including the Newtown Creek and Gowanus Canal Superfund sites, in the wake of the storm. Sewage remains a concern in the Gowanus Canal and near some stricken plants, but the larger concern is toxic contamination.
Read More: Cleanup tips for flooded property.
Entergy Admits to Safety Inspection Lapses at Indian Point
Before Superstorm Sandy closed roads, bridges and tunnels, demonstrating the utter impossibility of evacuating during an Indian Point emergency, Riverkeeper continued our arguments for closing the reactors at Nuclear Regulatory Commission relicensing hearings that began in October. Under the first-ever cross-examination allowed by the NRC during a relicensing hearing, Riverkeeper attorneys pressed plant owner Entergy to admit that in 20 years, it had inspected fewer than half of the 8,000 components that both Entergy and the NRC agree are both “highly important” to the safety of the plant and susceptible to corrosion. What’s more, the state Energy Highway Task Force has delivered a new blueprint that shows how feasible it is to replace Indian Point’s power—at a cost of about $1 a month for the average household, according to our recent study.
Take Action: In response to Riverkeeper and our partners’ victory in federal court, the NRC is accepting public comment on the scope of the environmental impact study about nuclear waste storage at Indian Point and all U.S. nuclear plants.
Photo courtesy Gene Helfman |
Protect 'The Most Important Fish in the Sea'
Superstorm Sandy canceled a public hearing on an important interstate regulation for Atlantic menhaden, a herring that uses the Hudson River as a nursery and which has been called “The Most Important Fish in the Sea.” Menhaden is food for many species, including striped bass, but its population has plummeted 90 percent in 25 years, as hundreds of millions of the fish are killed each year to make things such as fertilizer, dietary supplements and pet food.
Take Action: You have until Nov. 16 to use Riverkeeper’s Action Center to tell the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to protect menhaden.
Riverkeeper in the Press
10.30.12 :: WNYC
Environmental Impact of Flooding
"Because of the storm surge and the flooding along waterfront industrial sites, and because of damage to vessels that weren't secured properly, or were damaged in the storm, we have tremendous amounts of pollution." - Phillip Musegaas, Hudson River Program Director, Riverkeeper
10.30.12 :: Huffington Post
Hurricane Sandy Spill Sewage, Triggers Toxic Troubles
"Normally, sewer overflows are just discharged into waterways and humans that generate sewage can avoid consequences by avoiding the water, but in this case, that waste has come back into our communities." - John Lipscomb, Riverkeeper Boat Captain, Riverkeeper
10.23.12 :: The Journal News
Editorial: Rockland Water Supply Worth Re-Examining
"Rockland Coalition for Sustainable Water, a group of organizations and individuals opposed to the water treatment plant, estimate that ratepayers' annual bills could increase almost $500 if the plant is built."
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