Progressive Preservation of the South Shore Estuary

Following an eight-year effort, the South Shore Estuary Reserve Council has adopted a comprehensive management plan for the future restoration and management of one of Long Island’s greatest natural gifts: the South Shore Estuary Reserve Reserve. While the estuary is the literal meeting of fresh water and saltwater ecosystems, it also represents the struggle between human advancement, and the preservation of our natural coastal resources. Many dedicated specialists, volunteers, citizens, politicians and government organi-zations proved their commitment to the estuary with hard work and substantial funds. Now our local communities are gathering momentum to turn the implementation actions into a reality. Nassau County

Nassau County is continually taking action to fulfill the requirements set forth in the plan. The plan specifically recommends that management of upland ponds be a high priority. In an effort to meet the goals and objectives of the plan, Nassau County, via the Nassau County Capital Project Program, received New York State Clean Air/Clean Water Bond Act funds to improve the environmental quality of three targeted upland ponds directly flowing into the estuary: Milburn Pond, Roosevelt Pond and Silver Lake. These water bodies, degraded by many years of siltation, are presently unsuitable for a desirable warm-water fishery. The plan’s three-pronged approach entails dredging the water-bodies to a depth and configuration suitable to support a desirable warm-water fishery; installing sediment traps at pond inlets to extend the functional life of the ponds; and stabilizing the pond embankments utilizing bio-engineered approaches such as the use of coir logs, erosion control matting and freshwater wetland plantings.

Hempstead

The Town of Hempstead has dedicated many resources to implement the priorities of the plan by providing technical assistance, staffing and by utilizing its Geographic Information System. The town recently augmented its 15 year shellfish vat system, and through funds provided by the Hempstead Baymen’s Association, doubled hard clam grow out and seeding production from one to two million. In addition to operating a certified laboratory which provides bacteriological data to aid town and state agencies in managing local clamming areas, the town has committed $4.4 million to modernize marina and park facilities. The former Merrick landfill has been newly converted to Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve, a serene 50-acre nature area that boasts of tours, walkways, a launching ramp for kayaks and canoes, marsh restoration and a newly constructed public fishing pier. For further information, contact Hempstead Town Supervisor Richard Guardino at 516-489-6000, or visit the web site at www.townofhempstead.org

Oyster Bay

The Town of Oyster Bay is actively supporting the implementation of the plan through a number of different projects. While the wetland restoration project is continuing to blossom at the JFK Wildlife Sanctuary, the Marjorie Post Park shoreline restoration project is an engineering modification to improve estuarine habitats and water quality for the estuary. The town hopes this project will serve as a model for other areas in the reserve where the over-abundance of waterfowl has degraded the environment. Two studies currently under way for South Oyster Bay include the Harbor Management Plan and the Storm Water Outfall Survey. The former will study the in-water uses within the bay and on the waterfront properties along the estuary, and the latter will include recom-mendations that target storm water mitigation and water quality improvement projects. For further information, contact the Oyster Bay Division of Environmental Control, Department of Public Works at 516-677-5712, or visit the website at www.town-of-oyster-bay.org

Freeport

The Village of Freeport, the largest historic maritime center in the estuary, launched several projects resulting in the physical and economic revitalization of Woodcleft Avenue—Freeport’s ‘Nautical Mile’. The village has already completed many of the projects recommended for the revitalization of the Nautical Mile including: elevation of the roadway to end persistent flooding; rehabilitation of the southern tip of the avenue; establishment of a marine environment educational center in partnership with the South Street Seaport Museum; and construction of a waterfront esplanade with docking facilities where the museum’s historical 100 foot schooner, the Pioneer, enjoys docking privileges. As a result of these improvements, the ‘Nautical Mile’ is experiencing a revival of com-mercial and recreational development. New businesses are opening along Woodcleft Avenue, while established restaurants, shops and boat dealers are expanding their properties. Residents and visitors alike are returning to enjoy the unique quality that Freeport has long been able to maintain—a traditional working waterfront. For further information, contact the Village of Freeport at 516-377-2200, or visit the website at www.freeportny.com

Suffolk County

Suffolk County has taken giant steps forward in implementing key actions recommended in the plan. Legislation passed in August 2001 authorized the County Soil & Water District to develop storm water remediation plans for five stream corridors identified by the plan as having major impairments: Carll’s, Connetquot and Patchogue Rivers, and Orowoc and Sampawams Creeks. Through the addition of a second monitoring boat, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has further expanded its monitoring capabilities. Two large boats are now permanently stationed for estuary monitoring purposes—one at Timber Point marina for monitoring the Great South Bay and one at Meschutt marina for monitoring Shinnecock and Moriches Bays. Furthermore, Legislators Bishop and Fields successfully introduced legislation to place signage on all county roads crossing tributaries to the estuary. For further information, contact the Suffolk County Office of Environmental Affairs at 631-853-4654, or visit the web site at www.co.suffolk.ny.us

Babylon

The Town of Babylon is continuing its commitment to preserve and enhance the estuary. The implementation of actions outlined in the plan will improve water quality while increasing wildlife habitat and finfish and shellfish production. In the spring of 2001, the town completed phase II of the Ketchams Creek wetland restoration project in Copiague, and final planning for a storm water treatment wetland at the creek is under way. Completed projects include the Santapogue Creek tidal wetland restoration at West Babylon and the Elda Lake shoreline wetland restoration along Carll’s River in North Babylon. For further information contact the Babylon Department of Environmental Control at 631-422-7640, or visit the website at www.babylonli.com

Islip

The Town of Islip recently completed inventory of all storm water outfall drainage systems that empty into the Great South Bay, or into one of its confluent freshwater streams and tributaries. The inventory was accomplished using a Global Positioning System which identified over 300 outfalls. The outfalls were later mapped and studied for various mitigation and retrofitting alternatives. Mitigation would employ biological systems to filter and metabolize pollutants, and outfalls would be retrofitted with engineered structures that remove pollutants through physical processes. In either case, the expected result is storm water with less sediment, less nutrient and less bacteria. Due to significant costs and labor requirements, installation of storm water mitigation will likely occur over many years. The resulting data will be encapsulated in a report due in the coming months and will be used to guide town efforts to reverse pollution trends in the future. For further information, contact the Islip Planning Department at 631-224-5450

Brookhaven

The Town of Brookhaven has recently completed the Squassux Landing/Beaver Dam Road storm water remediation project. The project—with assistance from Suffolk County’s Soil and Water Conservation District and the Brookhaven Village Association—was accomplished through the town’s Department of Environmental Protection and Highway Department. Moreover, due to the addition of a new dry detention basin, storm water runoff is now filtered prior to reaching the bay. Funded by the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, the town successfully transformed a deteriorated, dead-end street into a beautiful recreation park. Now residents can enjoy crabbing, fishing and canoeing, or simply rest on park benches admiring the newly landscaped grounds.

Several environmental enthusiasts from Bellport High School’s Students for Environmental Quality, also participated in the project by assisting with landscape design and planting shrubbery. For further information, contact the Brookhaven Department of Environmental Protection at 631-451-6455, or visit the website at www.brookhaven.org

Southampton

The Town of Southampton and its trustees have made significant advances in enhancing preservation and enjoyment of the estuary. Newly developed plans for marine based eco-tourism—including kayak trails, marine sanctuary areas and waterfront amenities for the physically challenged—are moving forward. Open space preservation goals are ambitious, with an unprecedented amount of community preservation funds allocated toward acquisition of wetlands and waterfront parks. Progress continues on large-scale improvements in water quality through road drainage improvements, expansion of mobile vessel pump-out programs and non-point source pollution control. Subsequent to the town’s recently completed Marine Resource Management Plan, watershed management plans will likewise be developed for Quantuck and Mecox Bays in 2002. Furthermore, a model Aquaculture Feasibility Study and Shellfish Population Survey is currently under way to revitalize shellfish and finfish resources.

For further information, contact the Town of Southhampton at 631-287-5710, or visit the website at www.town.southampton.ny.us

[Editor’s Note: The following people contributed to this article: Dan Fucci (Nassau County), Ron Masters (Hempstead), Nancy Kearney (Oyster Bay), Pat Murphy (Freeport), George Proios (Suffolk County), Richard Groh (Babylon), Alan Svoboda (Islip), Kelly Sheridan (Brookhaven) Marty Shea (Southampton)]