New York City found a new way to clean up its waterways: through heavy machinery.
From pulling out giant abandoned boats found sunk in Flushing Bay, to everyday garbage polluting the waters, it’s not just an eyesore.
“These vessels are not just unfortunate to look at,” Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez said. “They pose serious risks to our community’s safety and marine life we all depend on.”
Cortez said it’s an issue she’s heard about since she took office.
“It’s making this water uninhabitable, dirty; people kayak here, they fish here in parts of this waterfront and so we got straight to work,” she continued.
Through dedicated federal funding, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has contributed more than $2 million to help bring in the equipment and crews needed to clean up waterways around the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn.
“Our time has come and we’re thrilled our working-class community of College Point is finally getting the environmental respect it deserves,” Kathryn Cervino, president of the Coastal Preservation Network, said.
Flushing Bay residents have dealt with the issue for years, although it remains unclear how long some of the boats have been abandoned. In addition to cleaning up, the NYC Parks Department looks to prevent it from happening again.
“If you are a boat owner looking to remove a boat from your possession, looking to not be one of those derelict vessels, you can call 311,” NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura stated.
The work aims to ensure that what’s beneath the surface is safe for everyone.
“People are noticing the wildlife coming back, and it’s really showing how great New York City water can actually be,” Ocasio Cortez said.