NEWS:
A Plan to Keep Massapequa's Waterways Clean
Estuary Management Report Completed
By Andrea Morale
A state advisory panel this week released a comprehensive management plan for the South Shore Estuary, the natural system that encompasses Massapequa's many waterways.
The South Shore Estuary stretches for more than 70 miles along Long Island's south shore, between the mainland and barrier islands. Extending from West Bay in Nassau County to Shinnecock Bay in Suffolk County, the estuary includes a series of interconnected bays - including the Great South Bay and South Oyster Bay in Massapequa - as well as rivers, streams, wetlands and small islands. In addition to Massapequa's familiar bays and connected waterways, the natural system includes Reynolds Channel, West Bay, Middle Bay, East Bay, Moriches Bay and Shinnecock Bay. The draft management plan outlines steps to make $97.8 million in improvements in the entire estuary over the next five years. Goals include: reducing pollution, increasing shellfish harvest levels, protecting coastal habitats, preserving open space, improving ecosystem management, increasing public awareness of the estuary, increasing tourism, and helping water-dependent businesses and maritime centers thrive.
"The South Shore Estuary Reserve Draft Comprehensive Management Plan is a significant achievement," Governor George Pataki stated in announcing release of the plan last week. "Under the leadership of the South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, implementation of the plan will assure the long-term health of the Reserve, the foundation of the local economy and a natural and cultural treasure."
A Draft Comprehensive Management Plan for the estuary was prepared by the South Shore Estuary Reserve Council - representing local governments, baymen, fishermen, water-dependent businesses, community groups, conservationists and marine scientists - with assistance from the New York State Department of State.
According to the governor, the plan builds on improvements made since 1995, including more than 70 state-assisted projects that have been completed or are under way to improve the health of the estuary. Nearly $10 million in Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grants and more than $6 million in Environmental Protection grants have been awarded to reserve communities to acquire open space, restore habitats and manage stormwater runoff, the governor's office reports.
George Nussbaum served on the council two years ago while mayor of the Village of Massapequa Park. He commented this week on how the estuary management plan is important for Massapequa. "A lot of people in the community here have boats, and a lot of people go fishing, and so it's a matter of making sure that the waters are more pristine," Nussbaum said. Nussbaum is among many who believe that public awareness about the effect of pollution on the estuary is key to maintaining the natural system. "Whatever happens on the streams here happens in the estuary," he said.
Community involvement has been key throughout the development of the management plan, which began in the early 1990s. The plan was drafted in compliance with the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Act, passed by the State Legislature. The act not only called for the development of the plan, but also the Reserve Council, to oversee it. In 1994, the Reserve Council held a series of public scoping sessions, during which residents shared views and concerns about the estuary and its management. Research was also contributed by local governments, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and private consultants. The state is encouraging continued public input on the draft management plan. Over the next two weeks, public meetings on the plan will be held in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The first meeting will take place on Feb. 28 at the Patchogue Fire House, located at 15 Jennings Avenue, Patchogue. On March 1, a meeting will take place at Freeport Village Hall, located at 46 North Ocean Ave., in Freeport. During both meetings, an information session, from 6 to 7 p.m., will be followed by a public hearing, from 7 to 9 p.m. In addition, a copy of the draft Comprehensive Management Plan can be viewed and downloaded from the Internet at www.estuary.cog.ny.us. For more information, one may call (516) 470-BAYS.
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