It was a cold, blustery day in March when a delegation from the Town of North Hempstead traveled to Washington D. C. to lobby Congress for funds for two town projects. On July 26, the same delegation, with some added starters, held a press conference at Bar Beach in Port Washington to announce that the lobbying had been successful. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $1 million to protect portions of the Hempstead Harbor waterfront and the newly created Hempstead Harbor Nature Trail.

In March the North Hempstead delegation consisted of, in addition to Mrs. Newburger, Councilman James O'Connor, Director of Operations Arthur Gianelli and Planning Commissioner Michael Levine. The group met with Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, Congress members Peter King, Gary Ackerman and Carolyn McCarthy and with Major General Hans A. Van Winkle, director of Civil Works Programs for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. They brought with them a packet of information prepared by the planning department, giving details of their programs.

Thanks to Councilman O'Connor, the delegation was bipartisan and so was the support the group received. In a joint letter, Congress members Ackerman, King and McCarthy said:" We enthusiastically support the water and ecosystem restoration projects that the Town of North Hempstead, New York, seeks to conduct with the Army Corps of Engineers. We are confident that, with help from the Corps, North Hempstead can restore the aquatic ecosystem of Hempstead Harbor and Manhasset Bay on the Long Island Sound, address the continuing environmental problems and promote economic revitalization for the entire region."

The group returned from Washington optimistic, but, as Mr. Gianelli noted, there is, of course, competition for Congress' attention. The Hempstead Harbor Shoreline Trail is almost entirely in public ownership with the exception of three small parcels, one of which is available for acquisition in fiscal year 2002. This four-acre property consists of a small bay, wetland vegetation, a small beach, non-motorized boat access and uplands. The $1 million grant to the Town of North Hempstead, through NOAA's coastal zone management program appropriation, and in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, national land conservation, will help complete this purchase.

Senator Schumer's representative, Chris Hahn, said that the residents will enjoy the results of this award for years to come. "Senator Schumer congratulates Supervisor Newburger and her team for continuing to protect and preserve the environment." Resi Cooper, speaking for Senator Clinton, said that the senator is thrilled to be a part of this effort to help Long Island Sound. Clark Wallace of the Trust for Public Land, added, "Why we're here today is what we love to do--to take a brief walk, to cross party lines and receive support in the House and the Senate.

Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli reminded the audience of the history of this part of Hempstead Harbor, when he said: "Today, Hempstead Harbor is no longer subjected to the environmental threats associated with an incinerator, widespread sand mining operations, or partially submerged barges.

"Thanks to the efforts of the state and town, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, and the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, we are recapturing the waterfront for the public with cleaner water, expanding wetlands and the return of wildlife to this watershed. Hempstead Harbor helps define our north shore community and I congratulate Supervisor Newburger."