Pollution Problem

Dear Editor:

I am writing in frustration over a construction site in Arverne that is a constant source of pollution. The building going up at 60-14 Beach Channel Drive in Arverne is producing a ton of Styrofoam particles that are just going everywhere. It has been going on for weeks, and while they put up netting around the site, it has not fixed the problem.

The Styrofoam bits are covering the sidewalks, cars, streets and buildings, and are washing down the storm drains. The site is located next to Jamaica Bay, and the Styrofoam is ending up in the bay directly to poison our waterways and our wildlife. This has been going on for weeks and happens every weekday. It is like a fine snow coming down. The particles can be found blocks away from the site. This plastic pollution is ending up in our waterways, our homes, our sewers, and probably in our lungs. Walking by the site, I had to cover my mouth and cover my coffee cup to avoid breathing or ingesting the particles.

I have tried contacting the State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Buildings and the Department of Environmental Protection, as well as local elected officials and still nothing has been done. The contractor listed on the permits is Mendel Berkowitz of B Contractors Group LLC out of Brooklyn. They should have to stop work immediately and should be responsible for an extensive cleanup. The amount of pollution, and that it has been allowed to go on for so long, is completely ridiculous. Please help me raise awareness in hopes of stopping this company from trashing our neighborhood — the residents of Arverne, and the wildlife of Jamaica Bay, deserve better.

Editor’s Note: The previous was sent on Monday, March 31. On Tuesday, April 1, Cindy provided an update:

An inspector from the Department of Environmental Protection actually came out and spoke with them. The foreman claimed the netting they put up solved the issue, which it hasn’t, but because of the wind, the inspector couldn’t tell. He did say I should reach out again if it happened again. So, there is some progress, even if the issue is not solved.

Cindy Rosin