A public hearing was held on Monday, Jan. 23 at Bayville Village Hall to discuss the Final Draft Report of the Nonpoint Contamination Source Study.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the sources of contamination to Mill Neck Creek and discuss possible ways to mitigate contamination and to improve the water quality of the creek toward the goal of eventually opening the creek to shellfish harvesting.

The study was supported by a New York State Environmental Protection Fund matching grant received by the Village and the study was conducted by the Environmental Technology Group, Inc. (ETG).

What we thought was so worthy of an editorial comment was the information that the Village of Bayville has been changing the health of Mill Neck Creek on its own.

Using reports from Friends of the Bay water quality data, the engineer from ETG showed the level of contamination between 2000 and 2001 was dramatically improved. The reason is the work Bayville did on Nonpoint source pollution. They put filters on their sewer drains and the result is they can filter out that first flush of the streets that contain the polluting items that injure water quality.

It is great how the little village of Bayville can do big things for the environment.

We just wanted to congratulate Mayor Victoria Siegel on doing a great job in investigating what needs to be done and doing it.

There is more to be done for Mill Neck Creek, but at the meeting, a town representative explained some of the history of a remaining problem so there is hope that the town, the county and the village will be able to work on improving the sewage treatment infrastructure for The Birches and the surrounding communities.

There is a hope that the villages of Mill Neck and Lattingtown can add their voice to advocate to the town and the county to help solve the remaining problems.

But for now, congratulations to all on the good work being done.

- DFK