Commissioner Louis G. Savinetti
(516) 677-5943
environmental@oysterbay-ny.gov
The Department of Environmental Resources is committed to the protection, conservation, and improvement of the natural resources within the Town of Oyster Bay. The department is dedicated to the development and implementation of sustainable plans to manage marine, fresh water and land based resources as well as the regulation and enforcement of policies geared towards environmental preservation. The department is also devoted to the application of developing technologies, collaboration with and education of the public to enhance environmental restoration effort, and work towards the universal goal of environmental stewardship.
Divisions within this department are responsible for the following for the benefit of present and future Town residents: Waterways, wetlands, forests, wildlife, air quality, soil quality and hazardous waste disposal.
Community Events and Educational Outreach
Harbor Cleanups, Dune Day, Advocacy Groups and more. Interested in volunteering for environmental community events? Fill out our volunteer form!
Environmental Planning
TEQR and SEQR, EPA and DEC regulatory notices
Home Gardening Tips
Helpful tips for your garden- Native Planting, Rain Gardens, Composting and Grass Recycling
Pollution Solutions
Helpful tips for reducing waste, saving energy and protecting water
Shell Recycling Partner Program
Become a shell recycling partner and let us reuse your shells to help restore the local shellfish habitat in Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor.
Shellfish Harvesting Moratorium Map
On October 1, 2024, the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Environmental Resources will temporarily prevent shellfish harvesting activities on 1,850 acres to comprehensively evaluate bay bottom conditions. Shellfish density and sediment surveys will provide the data-driven foundation for developing effective strategy for all harbor users.
The temporary moratorium will provide the necessary time to collect scientific data on shellfish populations, sediment conditions, and overall ecosystem health—critical information that is currently unknown and essential for informed management. Similar moratoriums have been effectively used in other states, such as Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia, to protect marine resources and develop restoration strategies.
To obtain input from residents and environmental advocates regarding this temporary moratorium, the Town Board hosted a public hearing on August 13, 2024. Friends of the Bay, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, and employees from the Department of Environmental Resources expressed support for such a temporary moratorium based on their extensive professional experience in the field.
