"Sump-thing" big may be in the future for the Garden City Bird Sanctuary (GCBS).

On Nov. 7, 2006, 77 percent of the voters of Nassau County approved the establishment of the $100 million Environmental Program Bond, which is a dedicated fund to preserve open space, improve parks, reduce storm water pollution and cleanup brownfields throughout the county. After attending public meetings regarding the program, the Garden City Bird Sanctuary submitted its nomination to create an ecological recharge basin at the Nassau County storm water basin.

Since the March 2007 submission, Rob Alvey of Garden City, president of the GCBS Board of Directors, has been working extra hard to provide estimated costs, identify partners and further refine the application for funding. The scope of the proposed improvements is extensive, and the application requested over $1.5 million for the various components. Meetings have been held with the Nassau County Department of Public Works to discuss the concept, obtain original design drawings for the stormwater basin and access standard costs for such items as excavation, disposal, concrete and other capital components.

The bird sanctuary's nomination is identified as Number PI-43, "Creation of an Ecological Recharge Basin at Storm Water Basin #232." What is an ecological recharge basin? The proposed project is to create a sustainable and ecological groundwater recharge basin at Nassau County Storm Water Basin #232 as a demonstration pilot program under the ongoing "dual use" initiative for use of the site for community and environmental benefits. An ecological recharge basin incorporates a multifaceted approach, including a system within the drainage basins to eliminate the accumulation of plastics, glass, styrofoam, leaf and road debris and a significant reduction of sediments from street runoff entering the groundwater recharge area.

The flow of storm water entering the basin is then reduced in velocity by a series of baffles to prevent scouring, and the water is allowed to temporarily pond in a created wetlands area where plants biologically remove the nitrates, chlorides and other contaminants as well reduce the acidity of the storm water. As additional precipitation arrives, the overflow of the naturally treated ponded water then enters a pH buffered inlet trench to recharge the underground aquifer drinking water system.

The quality of Long Island's sole source of drinking water, the underground aquifers, has been considerably degraded during the last century with petroleum hydrocarbons, nitrates, chlorides and pesticides from road traffic, street salting and lawn applications of fertilizers. Increasingly acidic rain has also led to increased leaching of aluminum and other metals from the soil. The storm water function of merely preventing street flooding by getting the water back into the ground as quickly as possible is no longer a best management practice by New York State.

The accumulation of debris in the runoff also results in many small sources of stagnant water in open cups and partially filled bottles for the breeding of mosquitoes. An ecological recharge basin eliminates the debris and sediment problems by trapping it in inserts. The bird sanctuary will agree to maintain the debris traps and dispose the materials at no cost to the county. The ponded water is allowed to readjust to a natural pH and the wetland plants naturally remove nitrates and other contaminants while also providing a habitat for wildlife, providing a universal benefit.

In addition, the proposed project will encompass creating a pond and wetlands area, transitioning into a meadow and overflow system with drywells to recharge the treated water back into the aquifer. The county plans to select projects by the end of the year. Some items in the original application were declared not fundable under the restrictions in the environmental bond. These included installation of the estate style steel fencing to border the county property with the village baseball fields, and reconstruction of one of the outlet concrete aprons that were intended to divert the water flow, but have worn out over the last half century. Funding for these items will be sought separately from the bond.

Also under consideration is installation of a small weather station by the restored meadow, with monitoring in association with Adelphi University science students. According to Alvey, this aspect is an important aspect for continued community outreach and monitoring the microclimate associated with stormwater basins helps gain a better understanding of global warming and the plants that can grow in the area. An additional needed item is better fencing bordering the Long Island Rail Road tracks that can serve as a dual function to prevent brush fires spreading to the Sanctuary from stray sparks from passing trains.

SustainableLI and their guests, including Councilwoman Kathy Walsh from Brookhaven, and civic representatives from Roosevelt and Elmont, recently visited Garden City's community nature preserve. Upcoming twilight tours include representatives from Syosset and Great Neck. All of these groups are interested in learning how they can establish similar programs for their communities. Support for Garden City's funding request is also coming from Assemblyman Tom McKevitt and Senator Kemp Hannon.

Partnership is a key element of the program, and the GCBS is working with engineering firms, contractors, vendors and organizations to bring additional talents to the table so that the proposed project is a success. The county review committee anticipates announcing the selected projects under this highly competitive grant program in November. If interested in helping to support the Garden City Bird Sanctuary's efforts, contact Alvey at 326-1720 or email gcbirdsanctuary@gmail.com.