The Peconic Estuary Improvement Project is an environmental initiative that was undertaken by the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) in cooperation with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Peconic Estuary Program, Suffolk County Department of Parks, and local governments. The result of the recently completed project will be improved water quality conditions for the Peconic Bay Estuary, one of 28 nationally recognized estuaries in the United States.
In order to improve the quality of runoff water from state roads, the DOT utilized a variety of methods such as replacing old drainage structures (catch basins) with more efficient storm water treatment systems, adding bio-filtration features such as vegetated drainage swales to reduce direct discharge into the Peconic watershed, and providing ecologically conducive erosion control/bank stabilization. The project also includes environmental enhancements to benefit wetlands and wildlife habitat as well as recreational access to water resources. The multi-faceted project included 14 different locations to help preserve and enhance the integrity of the Peconic Estuary system.
The following provides a brief overview of a few of the 14 project sites:
Riverhead: At this site located on the south side of NY Route 25 in Riverhead adjacent to Suffolk County Park land, the objective was to eliminate direct discharge of storm water runoff from the road into the Peconic River, and thereby improve the quality of the runoff water before it flows into the river. Previously, three existing drainage pipes discharged directly into the Peconic River but they are now eliminated from active use. A portion of the piping system was excavated and replaced with a new drainage structure that now outflows into a new drainage channel planted with native freshwater wetland vegetation. This water is being naturally filtered through the vegetation prior to out flowing through a secondary pipe at the end of the channel into an adjacent freshwater wetland. In addition, the DOT constructed a new canoe launch structure at the site of the old pipe headwall on the Peconic River, along with a new crushed gravel pathway that links the new parking area on Suffolk County's property to the new canoe launch area. The design of this site was coordinated with the DEC and the Suffolk County Parks Department.
Southold: Along the north side of NY Route 25 at Senator S. Wentworth Horton Park, the DOT created what appears to be two ponds in a park-like setting. These ponds are actually the core of a new ecological roadway drainage system that greatly improves the efficiency and quality of storm water runoff from the roadways. The double ponds are in fact, storm water retention basins that receive the initial flow of storm water runoff, temporarily hold the additional flow of water, and use vegetation along the edges of the pond to naturally filter the water prior to out flowing into an adjacent freshwater stream called Moores Drain. To create a park-like atmosphere, the pond was encompassed by an asphalt path suitable for various recreational activities, and trees and shrubs were planted throughout the area. A small vegetated berm was created to serve as a sunny overlook to the ponds. This project site was coordinated with the DEC, the Town of Southold, and adjacent property owner(s).
East Marion: DOT stabilized an eroded shoreline located at the east end of the concrete sea wall, on the south side of NY Route 25. A line of large stones along the shoreline was established above the mean high tide and was backfilled with sand and topsoil. To further stabilize the upland slope and to enhance the aesthetics of the site, native, salt tolerant, vegetation was planted between the state road and the boulders. The restoration design was coordinated with the DEC, the Town, and local property owners.
James Creek, Southold: Just south of NY Route 25, a deteriorated corrugated metal drainage pipe was replaced and a new catch basin and concrete drainage pipe was installed. Invasive plant material was removed and the upland was restored with native vegetation. The eroding shoreline was stabilized with coconut fiber rolls that were planted with native tidal marsh grass. The restoration design was coordinated with NYS-DEC and the adjacent property owners.
In summary, the Peconic Estuary Project included the installation of twenty-one (21) storm water leaching basins, eleven (11) water quality inlet treatment structures, new vegetated drainage swales, the creation of retention ponds, native plantings, erosion control, shoreline stabilization, wetland and wildlife habitat restoration and improved recreational access to the waters in the Peconic Bay Estuary.
(Peconic Estuary Project sites include: Southold: James, Richmond, Jockey, Town, and Mill Creeks, Budds Pond, Eugenes Road, East Marion/Orient Harbor sea wall, and Senator S. Wentworth Horton Park. Riverhead: Raynor Avenue, Peconic River Canoe Access NY Route 25, Sawmill Creek, and Griffing Avenue. Shelter Island: Dering Harbor.)
