AROUND THE TOWNS

The following examples illustrate what the South Shore Estuary Reserve Towns are doing to protect and preserve the resources of the estuary:

Hempstead

• Affected an unprecedented action to protect a unique maritime tradition by allowing two bay house owners to rebuild structures destroyed by vandals. Prior to this, bay houses were not permitted to be rebuilt if the structure was damaged or destroyed.
• Outfitted a new vessel to enhance existing law enforcement efforts to protect clam beds from illegal harvesting in uncertified areas.

Oyster Bay

• Sponsors an annual, town-wide "Marine Education Day" for elementary students and is implementing an educational program called Don't Feed The Quackers Crackers to educate students about environmental impacts associated with feeding waterfowl.

Islip

• Installed a computerized Geographic Information System to facilitate the protection and sound management of the wetlands.

Brookhaven

• Developed a plan which identifies areas suitable for establising hard shell clam beds and suitable sites for the seeding of hard shell clams.

Southampton

• Constructing drainage improvements along seven roadways within the watersheds of Tiana and Shinnecock Bays to reduce stormwater runoff carrying pollutants to the bays.