NEW YORK, NY April 22, 2005 —On this, the 35th anniversary of Earth Day, an environmental advocacy group has come out with a list of the city's environmental gems, and trouble spots.

The staff of the Natural Resources Defense COuncil came up with the list, focusing on recent environmental developments. So, while Central Park may be an environmental gem, it did not make the list.

What did? Restoration of the Bronx River, progress with the Hudson River Park, the eco-friendly Solaire Building in Battery Park City, the Staten Island Greenbelt, and the city's smoke-free bars and restaurants. Eric Goldstein is with the NRDC.

GOLDSTEIN: New York City is a city of contrasts. we've made remarkable progress on many environmental fronts, and we have still worrisome pollution hot spots in many areas as well.

Those hot spots include disappearing salt marshes in Jamaica Bay, the Radiac hazardous waste facility in Williamsburg, and diesel pollution in Harlem, the Bronx and Lower Manhattan. Areas of future concern include proposed Catskill casino development near the city's water supply, and traffic congestion from a proposed West Side Stadium.