Saving Jamaica Bay

Long known as New York's dumping ground, Jamaica Bay is portrayed as something more beneficial in David Sigal's documentary. As narrator Susan Sarandon states, it's home to one of the country's busiest airports, JFK, and the "secluded marshes favored by the Mob." Although cleanup efforts have been taking place, much remains to be done. Dan Mundy, the president of Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, grew up in the area. Since retiring from the New York City Fire Department, he has devoted his life to conservation. Both he and his son, Dan, are particularly concerned about the expansion of the airport and the erosion of marshes that are protecting the coastline, which has been a victim of devastation by severe storms. Dan is the vice president of Ecowatchers, and he describes Jamaica Bay as being 10 times the size of Central Park. Don Riepe, another local resident, has been involved with cleanup efforts for 30 years, helping to organize groups of people—sometimes as many as 200-300—to work shifts. The return of the osprey, which has thrived since the ban of DDT, represents a positive development, although U.S. Fish & Wildlife agents have occasionally had to cull birds due to overpopulation (Riepe has also noticed an increase in snowy owls). And then comes 2012's Hurricane Sandy—during the filming—devastating the homes of Riepe and the Mundys. As Riepe notes, "We have so many people living along the coast now that it is a recipe for disaster." The men rebuild their homes, while also working harder than ever to improve and safeguard their region. As Dan puts it, "We're staying. We're not going anywhere," which bodes well for Jamaica Bay. An inspirational portrait of regional environmental activism, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)