An award of $625,454 was given to the The Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center [1], Riverkeeper [2], and the Newton Creek Alliance [3] on March 20, 2008. The award was given in New York State Brownfield Opportunity Area funding for community driven planning analysis.

The earnings will be used for redeveloping sites along the creek. Redevelopment includes the creation of parks and wetlands, and improved environmental infrastructure. The Newton Creek study area includes portions of Long Island City, Maspeth, Greenpoint, East Williamsburg, and Bushwick.

The Newton Creek has a legacy of over a century of industrial use. It is where a 55-acre, 17 million gallon oil spill (one of the largest in U.S. history) happened. More than 2.7 billion gallons of raw sewage are pumped and discharged into the creek each year. All of the creeks 1.5 square miles of tidal wetlands have been lost.

The State Department of State has given away $7.25 million to 50 different local governments and community groups under the BOA program. However, the Newton Creek received the largest of all awards.

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez said "Newton Creek has suffered enough, the site of our nations largest oil spill and the victim of neglect. It is past time to recognize that this is one of New York's most serious environmental health issues and must be addressed as such."