EPA Announces 2004 Peconic Estuary Program
Mini-Grant Recipients
July 16, 2004

Riverhead, NY - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Peconic Estuary Program (PEP) announced the recipients of the 2004 Peconic Estuary Program Mini-Grants.  A total of $7,999 will be awarded for projects designed to stimulate public stewardship of the estuary and help improve water quality in Long Island’s East End Peconic Bays.  The projects are funded through New York Sea Grant/Cornell University, in partnership with the Peconic Estuary Program, with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Governments, businesses, organizations, and private citizens each have a key role to play in protecting the Peconic Estuary,” said EPA Regional Administrator Jane Kenny.  “This small grants program is intended to directly engage community-based organizations and local governments across the region to educate the public on how individuals in particular can make meaningful contributions to improving habitats and water quality.”

The projects chosen for funding include:

• North Fork Environmental Council - $1,999 for a native plant garden designed and implemented by school and community members. This garden will help students and their parents learn the importance of using native plants: eliminating or reducing applications of pesticides, fertilizers, and water; reducing the spread of invasive and exotic plants; and providing habitat for wildlife.
• Southampton College of Long Island University - $2,000 to support a freshman course in which students will develop proposals to engage the public and enhance Peconic ecosystem health.  One innovative project will be selected for enaction by the students.
• Town of East Hampton - $2,000 to develop a native plant list and a brochure to educate the public on what they can do to prevent pollutants from entering the East End harbors and bays.  The brochure will educate people about how to properly operate and maintain their septic system, reduce erosion, properly deal with animal wastes and control stormwater runoff. 
• Town of East Hampton - $2,000 to produce educational signs for each major road end and public access point to the tidal embayments and tributaries of the Peconic Estuary.  These signs will contain information about actions that residents and visitors can take to protect the Peconic Estuary, such as complying with vessel waste no discharge area requirements, lessening impacts to eelgrass beds and wetland fringes, and complying with fishing regulations. 

“I commend each of the awardees on putting forward these worthwhile initiatives, which will enhance public awareness of the East End’s natural treasure, the Peconic Estuary,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.  “Suffolk County is proud to be a strong partner of the Peconic Estuary Program and will continue to undertake new environmental initiatives to protect this nationally significant resource and one of the most beautiful areas of Long Island.”

The Peconic Estuary Program (PEP) joined the National Estuary Program as an "Estuary of National Significance" under the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1993.  The PEP is an innovative partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York State Department of Environmental Protection, Suffolk County, citizen and environmental groups, businesses and industries, and academic institutions.  Its mission is to restore and protect the Peconic Estuary’s environmental quality.

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