Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino announces that the Department of Environmental Resources is developing a comprehensive Water Resources Management Strategy to improve our estuaries and safeguard marine resources. This multi-phase document serves to perpetuate sustainable water resource management for future generations and provide a roadmap to overall marine health in the town. Together, with many local experts, state, and national non-profit advocacy groups, the Town’s aqua culturists have been working to identify areas where habitat rehabilitation will result in water quality enhancement and inspire new concepts. Additionally, this dynamic strategy will evolve as the Town works with local environmental groups to ensure inclusivity and coordination of agendas.

 

Supervisor Saladino stated, “Protecting Mother Earth and reducing our impact on the environment is a top priority for my administration and the Town Board. Together, we developed a Water Resource Management Strategy to improve our estuaries and safeguard marine resources on both the north and south shores of the Town. We will ensure that our precious resources are protected and maintained for generations to come, and that procedures are in place to mitigate potential environmental degradation.”

 

OVERVIEW:

 

North Shore:

In Oyster Bay Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor, and Hempstead Harbor, the Town Department of Environmental Resources along with local experts, conducted a thorough review of water resources. It is a priority to ensure water quality improvement through nitrogen reduction practices and consistent monitoring of water quality parameters. The Town has ongoing efforts by means of water sampling, storm drain filter installation, tidal wetland restoration, kelp line deployment, and has increased shellfish hatchery operations resulting in shellfish population revitalization. As part of a continuing initiative, the Town created multiple conservation management areas and spawner sanctuaries utilized for seeding clams and oysters into protected habitats that are proven to be beneficial to survival and reproductive rates, and thus increasing shellfish population and overall health of the harbor.  The Saladino administration recently submitted a request for Federal funding for development of a coastal oyster reef on the north shore that would improve water quality and protect the shellfish population in the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor Watershed.  Along with grant funding opportunities, collaborative efforts have yielded quantifiable and sustainable action. Within the boundaries of the Town of Oyster Bay’s jurisdiction of Hempstead Harbor, the Saladino administration is facilitating water quality improvement by hosting shellfish nurseries within the Harry Tappen Marina. These nurseries, the only nursery operations within the harbor, necessitate water filtration resulting in water quality improvement

 

South Shore:

As of 2021, the Town is hosting multiple spawner sanctuaries in South Oyster Bay for adult clams acquired through the Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project, a multi-agency collaboration with Stony Brook University and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The sanctuaries were constructed based on the physical circulation of the currents and their benefits to providing larvae survival.  As similar efforts are executed in Oyster Bay Harbor, these practices will result in improved water quality through nitrogen bio extraction and promote reproductive advantages for marine life.