Environmental Impact of Moving the Fulton Fish Market
Harriett Emanuel
Samuel Gompers H.S.
A Web Quest for a Advanced Environmental
Science Class (12th grade) for the Tips program
Introduction: A Public Policy Analyst PPA is a tool that can be used to assist us in resolving issues or bringing sensitive topics into better focus. This decision making tool will enable our community to respond informatively to problems that may affect the sustainability of our community. One such issue is the environmental impact with the movement of the Fulton Fish market from the tip of southern Manhattan where it has been located for approximately 167 years to the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in the South Bronx.
How can we use the PPA to decide if the Fulton Fish
Market moving to the Hunts Point Market in the South Bronx is environmentally
sound?
“Moving the Fulton Fish Market to Hunts Point is good news for everyone who is involved in the Market," said Mayor Giuliani. "The fish merchants will get a new, safe and efficient facility that will provide space to grow and expand; retailers, restaurants and consumers will get top-quality seafood products; and the Bronx will become the home of the country's preeminent wholesale food market. The Hunts Point Food Distribution Center will house the meat market, the produce market, and now the Fulton Fish Market. The market currently does not meet the standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug administration policy prohibiting the sale of fish in an outdoor unrefrigerated setting.
TASK
After collectively defining the project, your group will explore the Environmental Impact of this move. In 2 groups, you will represent a community task force. Your goal is to investigate this problem and report the pros and cons of this move to the community via the community newsletter. Each group should submit at least one recommendation for this problem in the newsletter.
PROCESS
Using the steps of Public Policy
Analyst as a guideline, research on the internet the problem as presented.
Each group member should research 0ne of the environmental problems and then
collectively compile the information to present a newsletter to the community
group. A sample of your findings should be sent to a Bronx public official,
(i.e. Bronx Boro. President)
Questions
- What are the current health/environmental issues at Hunts Point?
- Will the increase in traffic cause a higher level of air pollution? Will the asthma rate be affected?
- How will the waste from this billion dollar per year business be managed?
- What agencies are overseeing this move?
- Does the environmental Impact statement support this move?
- How will the daily increase in population density affect the South Bronx?
RESOURCES
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/welcome.html
EVALUATION: Your grade for this project will be based on the following:
- Did you include the ppa, worksheet in your file?
- Is your research valid? Can the data be validated? Is the amount of information sufficient for the reader to formulate an informed opinion?
- Does your power point presentation include 6 slides? Are the slides relevant to the research?
- Has your information been sent to a public official?
CONCLUSION
Upon completion of this project the student will have successfully participated in a problem solving investigation of a current on going environmental issue that is occurring in their neighborhood.
New York State PERFORMANCE STANDARDS SCIENCE
S3e- Demonstrates an understanding of natural resource management
S4d- Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of technology
S4e- Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of science
S5e- Identifies problems; proposes and implants solutions; and evaluates the accuracy, design and outcomes of investigations.
S5f- Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.
S6a- Uses technology and tools to observe and measure objects, organisms, and phenomena, directly, indirectly, and remotely, with appropriate
Consideration of accuracy and precision
S6b- Records and stores data using a variety of formats
S6d- Acquires information from multiple sources.
S6e- Recognizes and limits sources of bias in data
S7a- Represents data and results in multiple ways
S7b- Argues from evidence
S7e- Communicates in a form suited to the purpose and the audience
S8d- Demonstrates scientific competence by completing secondary research
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
STANDARDS
E1c- Read and comprehend informational materials
E2a- Produce a report of information
E2e- Produce a persuasive essay.
E3b- Participate in group meetings.
E3c- Prepare and deliver an individual presentation.