GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $6.35 MILLION TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND HABITAT IN LONG ISLAND SOUND

State Also Constructing New Public Boat Ramp at former Petersen’s Marina

Governor George E. Pataki today announced $6.35 million in grants to local governments in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties for water quality and habitat improvement projects throughout Long Island Sound.

In addition, the Governor also announced that the State has purchased the former Petersen’s Marina in Mattituck, in the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, and begun site work on a new public boat ramp that will increase access to the Long Island Sound.

Over the past 11 years, we have made significant investments to improve water quality and aquatic habitats on Long Island, and we continue to work closely with local communities to protect, restore and enhance Long Island Sound,” Governor Pataki said. “This latest round of grants will further enhance water quality, restore fisheries, and provide greater public access for recreational activities like fishing and boating.”

The water quality and habitat improvement projects are being funding with $4,591,945 from the federal Long Island Sound Restoration Act (LISRA) and $1,757,500 from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The grants will fund local projects that will reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff, restore wildlife habitat, reduce beach erosion, and improve wastewater treatment facilities. These projects address priorities identified in the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).

The Long Island CCMP was first agreed upon by New York, Connecticut and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1994, and was followed up by the signing of Long Island Sound Agreements in 1996 and 2003. Priorities identified in the Long Island Sound CCMP include addressing hypoxia – a low level of dissolved oxygen that negatively impacts habitats for fish and marine life, pathogens, and toxic substances; protecting living resources and their habitats, preserving open space; and promoting greater public access, watershed management, public education, and community involvement and partnerships.

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, “Under Governor Patakis leadership tremendous strides have been made in improving water quality and fish habitat. Today’s announcements of significant State and federal funding will further enhance the natural resources improvements made to the Long Island Sound and provide a new opportunity for the public to have access to this recreationally, economically, and environmentally important water body.”

The State also is using $2.25 million from the EPF to acquire the 3.5-acre former Petersen Marina parcel, which has 635 feet of frontage on the west side of Mattituck Creek Inlet, just south of Long Island Sound. Construction of a public boat ramp is underway. The Petersen family operated the marina for more than three decades.

Lynn Petersen Kauffman, trustee of the Petersen Family Trusts which own the property, explains, “Our Scandinavian family has a tradition of seafarers which goes back many generations. We are pleased that DEC wished to acquire this treasured family asset. And, as a result of the hard work of my parents and brothers, our family trust could afford to help expand access to Long Island Sound and offer the promise of a better environment for everyone.”

The Southold Town Police will retain a slip at the marina, as will Conoco Philips, whose long-term lease expires in 2010.

Public boating access to Long Island Sound is limited in the more than 50-mile stretch between Mt. Sinai Harbor in the Town of Brookhaven and Orient Point, the easternmost point on Long Island’s North Fork. In his 2000 State of the State address, Governor Pataki pledged that New York State would open 10 new public access points to Long Island Sound by 2010. Under this initiative, the State is working with municipalities, environmental groups, and community leaders to provide more beaches, boat launches, open space and other recreational access points to the public. Access sites have already been created at Nissequogue River State Park, Jamesport State Park and Preserve, and Mattituck Creek. The Petersen parcel will be an extension of the Mattituck Creek access project.

The Petersen parcel is the latest in a series of purchases by DEC along the western shore of Mattituck Creek. In 2001, DEC acquired a 5-acre parcel, and in 2002 acquired two parcels, 4.8 acres and 1.7 acres. Plans for the entire 15-acre creekfront complex include shoreline restoration and a visitors parking and information area.

Since 1995, more than $342 million in State funds have been invested in projects to benefit Long Island Sound.

The federal Long Island Sound Restoration Act provides a $200 million authorization over five years for cleanup and restoration of the Sound.

A list of the projects receiving funding announced today is attached.

LISRA and EPF Grants

Nassau County:

Town of North Hempstead -- $1.012,000 Funds will be used to restore and enhance Mill Pond, a tributary to Manhasset Bay, which is stressed by pollutants from runoff. The project will increase pond storage capacity, moderate water temperatures, and increase available oxygen for wildlife habitat and recreational uses in the pond, Manhasset Bay and Long Island Sound.
Town of North Hempstead -- $91,000 Funds will be used to implement a management plan to restore and enhance the natural flow of Roslyn Pond (Silver Lake), a tributary to Hempstead Harbor. The project will increase pond storage capacity, moderate water temperatures, and increase available oxygen for wildlife habitat and recreational uses in the pond, the harbor, and Long Island Sound.
Village of Laurel Hollow -- $198,000 Funds will be used to install devices to correct erosion and reduce approximately 70% of the sediment entering a beach at Cold Spring Harbor. A new outfall will be diverted from the beach, improving water quality for swimming and shellfish beds.
Town of North Hempstead -- $127,500 Funds will be used to restore shoreline along Hempstead Harbor Cove, reducing the amount of sediment and pollutants entering the harbor. The restoration will provide wildlife habitat and improve the aesthetics of the area.
Belgrave Water Pollution Control District -- $1,237,295
Funds will be used to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant to reduce the amount of nitrogen and pathogens in water discharged from the facility.

Suffolk County:

Village of Head-of-the-Harbor -- $65,000 Funds will be used to improve drainage from roadways surrounding Pond Woods Pond and increase storage capacity of the pond allowing for greater stormwater detention and filtration.
Town of Brookhaven -- $135,000 Funds will be used to restore the shoreline of Stony Brook Creek, reducing pollutants and improving water quality and aquatic habitat in Stony Brook Harbor, Smithtown Bay, and the Sound.
Village of Head-of-the-Harbor -- $50,000 Funds will be used to restore the use of Cordwood Path Beach by installing devices to reduce sediment and pollutants. The eroded beach will be restored.
Town of Brookhaven -- $170,000 Funds will be used to install best management practices that will reduce sediment and nitrogen levels in Wading River Ponds and Wading River. This will include planting vegetation designed to discourage the overuse of the ponds by waterfowl.
Suffolk County -- $1,298,500 Funds will be used to reconstruct and upgrade the wastewater treatment plant to reduce levels of nitrogen and bacteria in water discharged to Port Jefferson and Long Island Sound.
Village of Greenport -- $459,000 Funds will be used to upgrade the Village wastewater treatment plant to reduce levels of chlorine in water discharged from the facility.
Westchester County:

Westchester County -- $1,469,650 Funds will be used to upgrade the Mamaroneck wastewater treatment plant to reduce nitrogen discharged to Long Island Sound.
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