Saving Jamaica Bay

narrated by susan sarandon

"Our era's iconic national park is hidden in New York City."
- Grist

"Exploring the history of this (literally) dumped-upon place and the increasingly urgent efforts to preserve it, David Sigal's Saving Jamaica Bay appeals on several fronts..."

"An inspirational portrait of regional environmental activism..."
-Video Librarain

"Sigal's subjects dish fascinating tales of urban life edging against something wilder..." 

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Director: David Sigal
Runtime: 77 mins
Rating​: NR
DVDCat#: PRDVD3797
UPC: 602573191293 
Pre-book: 10/24/17
Street: 11/21/17
SRP: $24.95

GENRES: Documentary, Environment, American Studies
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SYNOPSIS:
Despite its natural beauty, rich history, and immense resources, Jamaica Bay was New York City's dumping ground for decades. Towering landfills created landscapes of garbage. Abandoned boats, piers, and docks added to the eyesore - not to mention the occasional gangland hit victim. Jets scream overhead constantly as they take off and land at JFK. Four sewage treatment plants discharge into Jamaica Bay. And now there are plans to fill in hundreds of acres of the bay to build the runways needed to handle future air traffic increases at the airport.

Saving Jamaica Bay tells how the Bay's neighbours - residents of working-class Brooklyn and Queens neighbourhoods - have developed and nurtured a close relationship with the body of water that has defined, provided for, and most recently, threatened their lives and livelihoods. In the process of re-discovering their historical relationship to the water and natural habitats of Jamaica Bay, residents have been transformed into urban environmentalists struggling to preserve this precious resource... and their way of life.