SHARING GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION IN URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND CREATING PUBLIC AWARENESS: CLOSE COLLABORATION BETWEEN NEW YORK CITY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND ACADEMIA

New York City (NYC) faces significant challenges to effectively use and share geological information with various public and private organizations. Economically, it is important that available geological data be appropriately shared among geotechnical units. Efforts should be made to avoid costly duplication of surface and subsurface investigation. Case studies highlighted in this work emphasize the interconnectedness of geological data sharing in decision making processes, the involvement of York College (YC) geology faculty and students in raising environmental awareness in the surrounding communities. Data obtained by the NYCDEP (Dept. of Environmental Protection) is used to monitor landfills in NYC reclaiming landfill area for other domestic uses and provides assistance in watershed maintenance and design. ADT (Aquifer Drilling & Testing) is involved in shallow drilling to collect information on the New Croton Dam -extremely critical for the watershed group to design any future expansion of the dam based on structural conditions. NYCDEP, having provided geotechnical service in the construction of the Water Tunnel # 3, is currently involved in resolving groundwater (GW) problems in South Jamaica. USGS in conjunction with NYCDEP completed three monitoring wells at YC of CUNY and are providing a hands-on training for students at York College. Water quality data from the wells are currently used to evaluate the remediation of toxic chemical spill. At public hearings on the local GW problems participants from the NYCDEP, NYSDEC (Dept. of Environmental Conservation), & USGS are providing up to the minute information to the public*. Recommendations are being made to use sophisticated Utility Checking Tools to avoid future accidents. The rising GW table problems in South Jamaica, the role of YC and other NYC agencies require close collaboration. This opens-up a good opportunity for the involvement of students. This applied geology experience is important for recruitment and retention of geology and environmental science majors.

* For Live up to the minute information on York College (The City University of New York) Monitoring Well, please visit : http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv/?site_no=404205073474101&PARAmeter_cd=72019,72020.