Save the Water in Jerome Park Reservoir’s North Basin

December 10th, 2019 Posted in CWTP, Environmental Reviews, Front Page News, Jerome Park Reservoir, Water Committee

The view from the Fort Independence Park of the North Basin of the JPR

Your help is Needed – Save the Water in Jerome Park Reservoir’s North Basin

Recently the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) stated they intend to keep the north basin of the Jerome Park Reservoir dry. This is the area from 205th Street to Sedgwick Avenue and includes the newest parkland along that edge on Goulden Avenue.  The reason they say they need to do this is to use it as overflow in case they ever need to divert water from the water filtration plant in Van Cortlandt Park.

Our reservoir must have water to the water line in both basins. When either basin is dry, we experience odors, swarms of midges, dust, heat from the concrete, damage to the historic basin and an eyesore that lowers property values and quality of life.

We want to be able to see the water.

The Jerome Park Reservoir and surrounding parkland is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2000. That listing provides some protections to the historic hand-laid stonewalls, the 94-acres of water, and the surrounding parkland.

The Environment and Sanitation Committee of Bronx Community Board 8 is addressing this issue with the DEP with a resolution. Many people attending the December 16th meeting despite the freezing rain and predicted snow.  This strong showing by the community helps to convince our NYC representatives to stop this proposed policy internally and now.

BCEQ wrote a letter to the State asking that they rescind their determination that it approves the “typically unfilled” North Basin of the Jerome Park Reservoir.

CLICK HERE to read the State’s letter.

SHPO LOS North Basin JPR BCEQ 1.8.2020 to read BCEQ’s letter.

You can write a letter too! 

For Sample Letter click HERE

 

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