New York, NY - City Caves In To Residents' Ire About Waterfalls

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New York, NY - New York City is addressing residents' complaints about salt from the waterfalls exhibition by cutting in half the hours per week they flow.

Four waterfalls built as an art spectacle on Manhattan's East River became the subject of an eco-uproar for the damage their mist is doing to the waterfront greenery.

Some New Yorkers want the falls to be shut off after Labor Day, not on Oct. 13 as scheduled, to spare the vegetation on the city's Brooklyn Promenade.

President of the Brooklyn Heights Association Judy Stanton said the greenery has been irrevocably damaged by the salt from the waterfall.

Parks Department officials said the vegetation along the Brooklyn waterfront and on Governors Island is showing signs of stress.

Salty water harms trees by interfering with the photosynthesis process needed to sustain life.

Officials said there should be no long-term damage since Parks Department workers are watering the plants regularly.

The city issued a statement via The Public Art Fund. Here is the statement in its entirety:

"Public Art Fund is proud to have commissioned 'The New York City Waterfalls' by Olafur Eliasson and to be presenting the project in collaboration with the city of New York. We believe it is an important work of art and it gives everyone the opportunity to experience the city and consider our surroundings in a different way. Since the opening, hundreds of thousands of people have seen the waterfalls by boat, by bike and walking along the shores.

"While an environmental assessment study was conducted prior to the project and measures were taken to ensure the safety of the surrounding landscapes, salt water mist off the river has affected several adjacent plantings. From the beginning of the project, an anemometer (wind meter) has been installed at each site, which shuts each waterfall off in the case of sustained winds that may blow saltwater onto the surrounding areas.

In addition, when the saltwater mist damage was discovered, Public Art Fund immediately addressed the matter and began treating affected plant life. Expert arborists from the City Parks Department recommended a maintenance plan that includes washing tree leaves and flushing salt from tree roots daily, which was promptly undertaken and is being continued. While salt water can cause leaves to discolor or fall off prematurely, Parks has advised that with proper care any potential adverse effects can be limited.

Public Art Fund and the Parks Department will continue to monitor the condition of the affected trees.

"Based on an updated recommendation of the Parks Department, we are reducing the hours of operation of "The New York City Waterfalls" beginning Monday, Sept. 8, from 101 hours per week to 49.5 hours per week in a further effort to stem the impact on the trees. The hours of operation will be Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sunday from 12:30 pm. to 9 p.m., and Mondays and Wednesdays from 5.30 p.m. to 9 p.m., through the scheduled end of the exhibition on Oct. 13."

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