Fairfield County Issues
Pleasure Beach:
The Pleasure Beach bridge burned down in the summer of 1996 and the causeway is now a disaster. The community would like to see this bridge rebuilt into a fishing pier. The Bridgeport legislative delegation has approved $13 million in bonds but the project is stagnate at the moment. As State Representative Caruso states, the money is there it just has to be assessed and aggressively claimed. The longer the city waits to repair the bridge, the more it will cost. On a recent bus tour of Bridgeport, Dr. Mark Mitchell stated that the property around Pleasure Beach would be prime property in the suburbs. However, because it is in the city it has a significant amount of industrial and commercial issues. The disrepair of the bridge is an environmental justice issue because residents cannot access the water for fishing and they cannot access Pleasure Beach, which is an environmental benefit.
Zoning:
Throughout Bridgeport industrially zoned areas can be found next to residentially zoned areas with no commercial or green areas to act as buffers. Even within residential areas, industrial businesses can be found scattered in between people’s homes. FCEJN is concerned about the health impacts of people living so close to light and heavy industrial areas.
Illegal dumping:
Illegal dumping can be seen all over Bridgeport; in the streets, yards, rivers, and harbors. It results in companies and individuals contaminating the groundwater and Long Island Sound. FCEJN believes that residents should be able to live in a clean and aesthetically pleasing environment.
Rock crushing and dirt piles:
There are a number of rock crushing facilities in Bridgeport that are located near residential neighborhoods. An increasing number of these facilities and dirt piles have been relocated to urban areas such as, Bridgeport as the suburban areas are refusing to accept such uses of land in their neighborhoods. The FCEJN is concerned about the location of these facilities and the health of nearby residents.
Mold and Air Quality in Schools
Johnson’s Creek Contamination and Surrounding Properties:
Johnson’s Creek has long since been contaminated by companies dumping illegally. Residents have been advised not to fish in the creek due to health concerns. The surrounding properties are brownfield sites that have been tested and will shortly be cleaned up using funds from the Environmental Protection Agency. The Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) has decided to build senior housing and a medical facility on these sites. The FCEJN would like to work with the NRZ to ensure that these brownfield sites are safe to build housing and a medical facility.
Wood chip mulching
Bridgeport RESCO:
RESCO is the 11th largest trash to energy plant in the United States and the second largest polluter in Bridgeport. RESCO is not only large but it is also a major source of air toxins and releases about 2,000 tons of criteria pollutants per year. RESCO is also the largest source in the area of mercury and dioxin, which are both carcinogens. According to the EPA, “…mercury affect(s) the central nervous system. Long term exposure [to mercury] can impair brain function and development. Dioxin/furans are chlorinated organic compounds which can result in a number of cancer and non-cancer health effects in humans.” (EPA). Clearly, FCEJN is concerned about the health impacts of this trash incinerator.