With the help of local officials and environmental groups, a multi-million dollar rehabilitation and restoration project planned for the Massapequa Preserve continues to move forward through the labyrinth of county government.

The proposed project is aimed at remedying the lowered groundwater elevations caused by the installation of sanitary sewers and increased groundwater withdrawals for public consumption. These factors have reduced stream flow and lowered levels in the preserve's three ponds and the Massapequa Lake.

Environmental engineering firm Cameron Engineering designed the rehabilitation and restoration project. Recently, they prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which was approved by the Nassau Legislature.

It is anticipated that the proposed improvements will restore the wetlands and open water environments of the preserve for passive, as well as active recreation, and improve the eventual overflow discharge to the Great South Bay.

A public hearing was recently held by the Nassau County Planning Commission to take public comments on the DEIS, and the Planning Commission will now prepare a Final Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the approval of the Nassau Legislature.

Legislator Peter J. Schmitt arranged for the meeting to be held in Massapequa, rather than in Mineola, to make it easier for residents to attend. "I commend Planning Commission Chairman Lew Yevoli and members of the commission for helping me to make government more accessible for the public," Schmitt said.

After the Planning Commission completes the final statement, Schmitt plans on hosting another public hearing in the Massapequas before the Legislature acts to adopt it. "I am committed to ensuring that this environmental jewel is both protected and restored," said Schmitt.