By Forum Staff
Councilwoman Joann Ariola on Monday joined City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, Department of Citywide Administrative Services Deputy Commissioner Keith Kerman, Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, City University of New York Kingsborough Community College Interim President Suri Duitch, Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers President Dan Mundy Jr., and community members at Brooklyn’s Kingsborough Community College to unveil the brand new Office of Marine Debris Removal and Vessel Surrendering.
The office will work to beautify the city’s waterways and remove the large pieces of debris that have littered borough shores for years.
File Photo
“The City has a responsibility to preserve the safety and the beauty of our waterfronts,” said Councilwoman Brooks-Powers.
“For the last 20 years we have been struggling with the issue of marine debris, abandoned boats and abandoned docks that litter the shoreline and damage the environment of the bay. Previously there was no way to have these items removed. No agency was tasked with this and it became a blight on the shores of areas like Jamaica Bay,” said City Fire Department Battalion Chief and Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers Vice President Dan Mundy Jr.
“This legislation has now created the new Office of Marine Debris Removal, and this will be a game changer for all of the waterfront areas around New York City!” Mundy added. “We now have a dedicated division within New York City Parks that will have the resources to identify and remove these hazardous items from the shores, wetlands, and the waters of Jamaica Bay and throughout the city!”
