Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats
New York State Coastal Management Program (CMP)
The NYS CMP was created to resolve conflicts between land and water uses and resource protection. The NYS CMP addresses these competing objectives through the application of 44 policy statements in the federally approved Coastal Management Program document. These policies address such coastal issues as flooding and erosion, fish and wildlife, public access, recreation, energy and ice management, development, historic and scenic resources, agricultural lands, wetlands, and water and air resources. Policy 7, of the 44 state policies, is designed specifically to protect fish and wildlife habitats. |
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| Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats (SCFWH) SCFWH are evaluated through a rating system created by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)and the Department of State (DOS) based on different criteria. SCFWH are areas where fish and wildlife must live, either seasonally or permanently, to meet at least some portion of their life history requirements. |
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These are areas that:
(a) are essential to the survival of a large portion of a particular fish or wildlife population;
(b) support populations of rare and endangered species;
(c) are found at a very low frequency within a coastal region; or,
(d) support fish and wildlife populations having significant commercial and/or recreational value. |
Updating Significant Habitats
SCFWH on the South Shore of Long Island were originally designated in 1987, based largely on records from 1983 and 1984. NYS DOS is currently in the process of updating these habitat designations using data and information collected from various stakeholder groups, including: NYS DEC; NYS Natural Heritage Program; NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation; county, town, and village governments and planning agencies; and, nonprofits. |
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Public Review
Once each habitat is mapped and described in a narrative, the Department of State distributes information packets for each habitat to begin the public review process. The information packets include the proposed habitat boundary, and a descriptive habitat narrative, which discusses the community of fish and wildlife present within the habitat, and the human uses compatible with the preservation of the area’s character. During this process there will be a series of public information meetings and hearings to receive valuable local information that is used to verify and add specificity to the information compiled for each habitat. |
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Designation
After reviewing the hearing record and incorporating any new information, the Secretary of State, in consultation with DEC, decides whether or not to designate the habitats. |
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More about SCFWH on NYS DOS Division of Coastal Resources website
List of significant habitats in the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve designated in 1987
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South Shore Estuary Reserve Office
300 Woodcleft Avenue • Freeport, New York 11520 • Phone: (516) 470-BAYS • Fax: (516) 378-2879 • sser@dos.state.ny.us |
