Environment DEC
From the August 2004 issue
Governor Pataki Announces $1.5 Million for Long Island Sound
Governor George E. Pataki has announced $1.5 million for eight local water quality improvement projects that will help restore water quality and protect the natural resources of Long Island Sound. The funding is provided by the federal Long Island Sound Restoration Act (LISRA) and is administered by DEC.
Under the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, Governor Pataki committed $200 million to implement priority projects and improve the water quality of Long Island Sound. To date, the Bond Act has provided funds for more than 130 water quality improvement projects in communities along the Sound. In addition, LISRA provides a $200 million authorization over five years for cleanup and restoration of the Sound. Under the program, New York is receiving funds for the eight stormwater runoff management and aquatic habitat restoration projects.
The projects will address many priority pollutants and activities identified in the Long Island Sound Study's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), in Local Waterfront Revitalization Plans and under Phase II of the Clean Water Act's stormwater requirements. Best management practices will minimize the nonpoint discharge of excess nutrients, especially nitrogen, organics, pathogens, and eroded sediments and soils into coastal tributaries, harbors, and bays of Long Island Sound.
Projects to be Funded
Nassau County
- City of Glen Cove: $50,000 to replace or repair stormwater structures on municipal properties to reduce non-point source loadings such as sediments, nutrients, floatables, grease and oil from entering Glen Cove Creek, Hempstead Harbor and Long Island Sound.
- Village of Bayville: $350,000 to restore a wetland by removing fill and concrete rubble from a 1.5-acre area next to Oyster Bay Harbor and replant the area with native plants and grasses to reduce nitrogen levels, sediment and pathogen loading into the Harbor.
Suffolk County
- Village of Nissequogue: $138,625 to install leaching basins and a detention pond to prevent stormwater and runoff from entering Long Island Sound, Stony Brook Harbor and the Nissequogue River.
- Town of Huntington: $268,400 to upgrade catch basins and outflow pipes to reduce sediment, grease, oil and other pollutants that flow directly into Huntington Bay.
- Village of Northport: $110,000 to design and build catch basins, dry wells, retention basins and other stormwater management practices to mitigate stormwater runoff pollution to Northport Harbor.
Westchester County
- Westchester County: $242,000 to build pre-treatment facilities to minimize stormwater runoff pollutants from eight acres of parking lots at the Glen Island County Park that enters New Rochelle Harbor, an embayment of Long Island Sound.
- Westchester County Planning Department: $132,000 to restore a pond and wetland within the East Branch of the Mamaroneck River where the river flows through a designated Critical Environmental Area next to the Hutchinson River Parkway.
- Village of Rye Brook: $218,750 to install detention basins and native plantings to reduce uncontrolled runoff and pollutant loading in the East Branch of Blind Brook watershed.
Since 1995, nearly $340 million in state funds have been invested in projects to benefit Long Island Sound. This includes nearly $270 million from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and more than $62 million from the Environmental Protection Fund.
