Those Massapequa residents who rely on Long Island's natural waterways for their economic and cultural benefits will be happy to learn that a final Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) for the South Shore Estuary was recently adopted by the South Shore Estuary Reserve Council.

Additionally, $2.1 million in Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grants for water quality improvement projects in the South Shore Estuary were recently secured by Governor George E. Pataki. The grants will fund five projects in Suffolk and Nassau counties, and will include $1.3 million for the Nassau County Department of Public Works for a wetland enhancement and stream rehabilitation project in the Massapequa Preserve.

The Massapequa Preserve project will include many multiple phases, including the construction of a stormwater treatment system to reduce pollution and sediment buildup caused by stormwater runoff. This will improve the water quality in the streams, lakes and ponds of the preserve, as well as downstream in South Oyster Bay.

Another phase of the project will restore eroding pond stream banks within the Preserve, thereby improving water quality. This will help to restore the habitat for native brook trout and enhance an existing warm water fishery. The construction of a flow augmentation system to mitigate the effects of lowered groundwater in the area will further improve water quality and help restore the native habitat.

"Long Island's natural waterways are integral to the livelihood of many Massapequa Park residents. These same waterways provide year-round recreational activities, as well as magnificent beauty for us all to enjoy," said Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna. "We applaud and support Governor Pataki's efforts to maintain our waterways for us, as well as future generations."

"We are very happy to see this grant and hope to be working in the future with the county on implementing it," said Richard Schary, president of the Friends of Massapequa Preserve.

The South Shore Estuary Reserve Council voted unanimously this spring to adopt the Comprehensive Management Plan for the South Shore Estuary. The 23-member Council, created by an act of State Legislature, includes representatives of Nassau and Suffolk counties; the Towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven and Southampton; the 31 villages along the South Shore; and various businesses, academic institutions and environmental groups.

After issuing an Interim Report in 1998, the Council completed a series of 34 technical reports as a foundation for the plan and released the full draft plan for public review at the end of 2000. Comments received during public hearings held in Nassau and Suffolk counties at the end of February showed overwhelming and enthusiastic public support for the plan.

The South Shore Estuary's shallow, interconnected bays and tidal tributaries provide highly productive habitat and support the largest concentration of water-dependent businesses in the state. One and a half million people live in the reserve, and millions of people visit the estuary each year.

The implementation actions in the plan include constructing projects to abate polluted stormwater runoff in more than a dozen watersheds where it results in closed shellfish beds, closed bathing beaches and degraded fisheries; reversing the drastic decline in hard clam harvests that has occurred since the mid-1970's; restoring 5,000 acres of salt marsh previously degraded by mosquito ditching, dredge spoils and restricted tidal flow; and expanding or improving shoreline public access and recreation facilities at 37 existing sites.

Additionally, a Coastal Heritage Trail that links the reserve's public access facilites, historic and cultural sites and centers of maritime activity will be established, and key open space parcels among the nearly 3,500 acres of land identified as valuable for preservation will be acquired.

The plan calls for local, state and federal governments and non-governmental organizations to commit at least $98 million over the next five years to implement actions vital to the long-term health of the estuary and the economic and cultural benefits that the reserve draws from the estuary. "The South Shore Estuary plan will help protect the health of the estuary and ensure that future generations of Long Island residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the reserve's unique natural and cultural resources," said Pataki.