To some it was the Forge River. To others, Great South Bay. Some east-enders saw it as Shinnecock Bay. No matter. Each knew their particular favored water body was part of something bigger, and that the bigger item was an estuary. New Yorkers knew the south shore estuary is one of the most biologically productive areas in the world, and is of tremendous economic and social importance. The estuary contributes to the quality of life for millions in the region. Yet people also knew the "Patchwork" of scores of public and private organizations managing the estuary's various resources somehow wasn't sufficient insurance for the estuary's future. The citizens agreed that resource management efforts should be coordinated and based on a comprehensive plan for the entire estuary. They held a common vision of resource management in the context of the ecosystem, rather than in a more traditional, fragmented approach based on individual jurisdictions and special interests. So, united, citizens convinced New York State to give official recognition to this unparalleled statewide resource, and, in June of 1993, to declare it the South Shore Estuary - wherein a reserve area eventually would be identified, and for which a specific, comprehensive management plan for restoration, maintenance and protection would be developed.
The resulting South Shore Estuary Reserve Act directed the diverse Council it created to bring forward such a plan, which would deal with a wide range of economic, environmental, and cultural issues. The law named the New York State Secretary of State to be the Council chair. The Council and the New York State Department of State then began to assemble elected officials, citizens, scientists, government agencies, trade organizations, property owner associations, boaters and fishers, historians, environmentalists, planners and many others to begin fulfilling the wishes of the people as expressed by their representatives in Albany. The Council and its committees must assist in developing and advise in implementing the management plan. They hold public meetings, educate others, and identify research gaps. These individuals and their respective organizations also will begin to develop a monitoring program that will help us gauge the effects of new management activities on the estuary's resources. Within these pages you will find the Council, its committees, and state and local governments have been hard at work launching estuary planning and education efforts. The Council invites your participation in these activities, as well as your comments on this newsletter.