Activists challenge efforts to reclassify the Harlem River for swimming, citing untreated sewage as a persistent hazard.
At a Glance
- The state considers reclassifying the Harlem River to allow swimming.
- Combined Sewage Overflows (CSOs) lead to untreated discharges.
- Reclassification faces criticism for not addressing sewage issues.
- Activists demand long-term pollution control and investment.
Proposal for Reclassification
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has proposed reclassifying the Harlem River to encourage swimming, despite ongoing concerns about sewage discharge. The river, currently a class I waterbody suitable for fishing and boating, would be designated as class SB with a Wet Weather (WW) exception. This allows swimming on dry days, but warnings against swimming after rain due to sewage overflow persist.
Combined Sewage Overflows (CSOs) occur when rainfall exceeds system capacity, leading to untreated sewage discharges. Activists express their disappointment, viewing this proposal as insufficient to address pollution effectively, stressing the importance of stringent actions and addressing infrastructure needs.
Challenges with Infrastructure and Costs
The Harlem River has witnessed reduced pollution since the 1900s, particularly after the Clean Water Act of 1972. However, activists argue more needs to be done to ensure ecological health. DEP’s report explains a class SB classification without a WW exception requires a 75% CSO reduction, deemed financially challenging. Full CSO reduction would cost around $11.48 billion, straining public finances.
“It’s a way of saying, ‘We are never going to be able to clean up this river to a level where it’s actually clean all of the time,’ and it’s making that legal, instead of [the state] having to keep saying, ‘We’re trying to get there, but we can’t get there yet,’” – Joy Hecht.
The DEC’s draft mentions user fees increasing by $183 per household citywide, potentially imposing financial hardship on 30% of the watershed residents living below the federal poverty level. The Harlem River Working Group underscores pollution as an equity issue, impacting local recreational opportunities.
Community Concerns and Advocacy
Local activists, including politicians and environmentalists, have voiced their concerns about the potential reclassification. They emphasize the necessity for substantive investment in outmoded sewage systems within the Bronx, with a projected cost of $9 billion, to effectively tackle CSO and uplift the river’s accessibility.
“It was a space that was once such a vibrant part of our communities and somehow had been taken away, almost like a history forgotten” – Chauncy Young.
Advocates remain hopeful for improving access to “blue spaces” in urban settings, recognizing the critical role they play in enhancing outdoor experiences and quality of life. Nevertheless, meaningful changes require robust regulatory effort to achieve a balance between recreational use and ecological restoration.
