Governor George E. Pataki today announced more than $9.1 million in grants to Long Island communities to improve water quality and protect and restore habitats throughout the Peconic and South Shore estuaries. The grants are being funded though the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
The Peconic and South Shore Estuaries are unique and important ecosystems that offer tremendous environmental, recreational, economic, and educational opportunities,” Governor Pataki said. “We have made significant progress in protecting and restoring these water bodies, and these grants will continue our efforts to improve water quality and estuary habitats on Long Island.”
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, “New York State and our partners in communities throughout Long Island have made significant progress in the restoration of water quality in the Peconic and South Shore Estuaries. Governor Pataki continues to recognize the importance of grants such as those announced today in promoting the protection of estuary habitat and other natural resources.”
The Governor announced grants totaling more than $2.5 million for the Peconic Estuary and nearly $6.65 million for the South Shore Estuary. These awards will support projects to reduce pollutants from entering the estuary through stormwater and non-point source runoff; restore habitats and install fish ladders and eelways to allow migration for upstream spawning; and make improvements to wastewater treatment plants.
The 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act authorized $30 million for water quality improvement projects for the Peconic and South Shore Estuaries. To date, the Bond Act has supported more than 100 projects to clean up and protect these estuaries. The State EPF, which has been fully funded by Governor Pataki, has provided more than $1.3 billion for more than 4,000 projects statewide, including $109 million for 290 projects on Long Island.
The Peconic Estuary system is located on the eastern end of Long Island, between the North and South Forks. The Peconic Estuary Plan protects and improves the Peconic Estuary system’s water quality to ensure a healthy and diverse marine community. The plan was drafted in order to preserve and enhance the integrity of the ecosystems and natural resources present in the study area, to optimize opportunities for water recreation, to promote the social and economic benefits of a clean estuary system, and to promote public awareness and involvement in estuary management issues.
The South Shore Estuary Reserve extends from the Queens/Nassau County line eastward approximately 75 miles to the Village of Southampton in Suffolk County. The Estuary Reserve includes interconnected bays and tidal tributaries that provide important habitats and support the largest concentration of water-dependent businesses in New York State. A Comprehensive Management Plan for the South Shore Estuary was completed in 2002. The objectives of the plan are to improve and maintain water quality, protect and restore living resources, expand public use and enjoyment of the estuary, sustain and expand the estuary-related economy, and increase education, outreach, and stewardship programs with the estuary community.
First Deputy Secretary of State Frank P. Milano, whose agency chairs the South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, said, “Again this year, Governor Pataki's foresight and leadership through these Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grants to municipalities will make significant improvements in the quality of New York's coastal waters. The $6.45 million for South Shore Estuary Reserve projects will advance goals developed by local governments and citizens to restore water quality and natural resources. Water quality and wildlife habitat improvements resulting from these grants will provide long-lasting benefits to the ecosystem and state residents who live, work, and recreate in our coastal areas.”
Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), said, “These grants provide considerable and essential funding for critical programs to control polluted stormwater runoff, upgrade old sewage treatment plants, and restoring habitat for Long Island’s estuaries. These meaningful programs are intensely embraced by the public from both an environmental and economic perspective. CCE will continue with our aggressive efforts to protect Long Island’s estuaries.”
Peconic Baykeeper Kevin McAllister said, “As Long Islanders we are defined by our waters and once again Governor Pataki has demonstrated that ensuring clean water remains a priority for New York State. As an advocate for our bays, I applaud the DEC for their thoughtful selection of Clean Water Bond Act projects that will have a significant effect on improving water quality and protecting living resources within the Peconic and South Shore estuaries."
A list of the projects receiving funding announced today is attached.
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Peconic Estuary
Bond Act and Environmental Protection Fund
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Applicant Summary Funding Amount
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Town of Shelter Island, Suffolk County
Funding will be used to construct devices to control nonpoint source runoff.
$16,750
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Town of Southampton, Suffolk County
Funding will be used to install structures to collect stormwater runoff and remove pollutants.
$117,500
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Town of Riverhead, Suffolk County
Funding will be used to install structures to allow fish and eels to migrate up the Peconic River, restoring prime spawning and feeding habitat. A comprehensive watershed study and an electronic fish counter will also be included in the project.
$275,000
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Town of Riverhead, Suffolk County
Funding will be used to construct a water purification system to treat water from the towns wastewater treatment facility to be used for irrigation at the Suffolk County Indian Island Golf Course. This will reduce nitrogen discharged to the Peconic Estuary up to 25 percent.
$2,095,250
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South Shore Estuary
Bond Act and Environmental Protection Fund
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Applicant Summary Funding Amount
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Nassau County
Funds will be used to install structures to reduce stormwater runoff and remove pollutants from runoff.
$300,000
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Nassau County
Funds will be used to purchase a Vactor truck to clean out and maintain catch basins. This will remove pollutants, improving the quality of the water draining into the South Shore Estuary.
$148,949
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Village of Freeport, Nassau County
Funds will be used to install storm drain filters to capture and retain 90% of pollutants in stormwater runoff, improving the quality of water draining to the South Shore Estuary.
$50,000
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Suffolk County
Funds will be used to install structures to remove approximately 80% of sediment and pollutants from stormwater outlets draining into Champlins Creek.
$67,500
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Nassau County
Funds will be used to install structures in the stormwater drainage system to remove pollutants from stormwater, improving the quality of water draining into East Bay and the South Shore Estuary.
$127,500
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Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County
Funds will be used to improve aquatic habitat by installing structures to allow fish and eels to migrate up Swan River for spawning and installing stormwater treatment improvements to reduce pollutants and sediment.
$360,000
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Village of Babylon, Suffolk County
Funds will be used to contain and filter stormwater to reduce sediment entering Stowe Avenue Brook and restore aquatic life and vegetation at Boyds Pond.
$504,088
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Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County
Funds will be used to install structures to allow fish and eel migration upstream on the Carmans River. Structures will be installed to reduce pollutants in stormwater from entering Carmans River.
$650,000
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Suffolk County
Funds will be used to remove dredge spoils and invasive plants and to restore natural aquatic habitat in tidal wetlands.
$275,000
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Suffolk County
Funds will be used to install structures to allow fish and eel migration upstream and to improve habitat.
$186,000
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Suffolk County
Funds will be used to install structures to allow fish and eels to migrate upstream on the Carmans River. Aquatic vegetation will be controlled to improve fish access to spawning and nursery areas.
$252,000
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Nassau County
Funds will be used to dredge Lofts Pond in order to support a warm-water fishery. Improvements will be made to the shoreline to reduce sediment entering the pond.
$200,000
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Nassau County
Funds will be used to dredge Mill Pond in order to support a warm-water fishery. Nuisance aquatic vegetation will be removed and improvements made to the shoreline to improve aquatic habitat and reduce erosion.
$300,000
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Village of Island Park, Nassau County
Funds will be used to upgrade stormwater outfalls to reduce the amount of pollutants in stormwater and urban runoff that reach Hempstead Bay.
$153,000
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Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County
Funds will be used to install devices to control flooding and reduce the amount of pollutants in runoff that enters Great South Bay.
$100,000
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Town of Southampton, Suffolk County
Funds will be used to install devices to collect and retain stormwater runoff to reduce the amount of pollutants in runoff that enters the Peconic and South Shore Estuaries.
$260,000
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Nassau County
Funds will be used to install devices to reduce the amount of sediment entering Massapequa Creek and South Oyster Bay from runoff.
$250,000
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Nassau County
Funds will be used to implement practices to reduce erosion and runoff into Tackapausha Pond.
$5,775
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Village of Lawrence,
Funds will be used to upgrade the wastewater Nassau County treatment plant to remove ammonia and chlorine that is discharged from the plant.
$1,164,496
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Village of Freeport, Nassau County
Funds will be used to remove debris from an area adjacent to Little Swift Creek and Miller Channel and to install structures and establish a tidal and intertidal marsh ecosystem within the area, protecting the |area from erosion and flooding.
$129,628
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Town of Patchogue
Funds will be used to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant to remove nitrogen that is discharged from the facility.
$1,164,496
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