South Shore Estuary News
Fall 2003

Message from the Council Chair

Secretary of State Daniels with Estuary Stewards (Front L to R) Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels (SSER Council Chair), Mayor William Glacken (Village of Freeport) , Sarah Meyland (Citizens Campaign for the Environment/CERI), Paul Rabinovich (The Nature Conservancy), Donald Miller (Operation Splash) (Rear L to R) Craig Kessler (Ducks Unlimited) and Tom Williams (Post-Morrow Foundation)

Dear Friends of the South Shore Estuary:

We have seen much progress over the last two years toward implementation of the Comprehensive Management Plan for the South Shore Estuary Reserve. With State financial assistance, the Reserve's local governments have undertaken watershed planning and water quality improvement projects totaling over $5.2 million. A variety of partners, including non-profit organizations, have contributed time and effort to these projects and other implementation actions. The prospects for continued success in implementing the plan are excellent.

To ensure that these good prospects become realities, we must sustain and, whenever possible, expand our efforts to protect and improve the estuary. We must educate young and old alike and cultivate their direct involvement as stewards of the estuary. We must continue to build and use partnerships effectively to tackle complex issues and achieve consensus-based results. While federal, State and local government resources will be needed for certain implementation actions, almost all implementation actions will depend on the stewardship of informed and involved individuals and the efforts of committed partners.

Let us dedicate ourselves to even greater plan implementation over the next two years.

Randy A. Daniels, New York State Secretary of State
Chair, South Shore Estuary Reserve Council