Chapter 7: Implementation

Overview of the Chapter

An integrative analysis of technical information was used to guide development of the specific implementation actions. The first phase of this analysis focused on water quality and its impacts to living resources (fisheries and hard clams) and public health (shellfish bed and bathing beach closures due to high levels of fecal coliform in stormwater runoff). This analysis resulted in the identification of stormwater abatement projects in specific nonpoint source pollution contributing areas that would directly address these living resource and public health concerns. Subsequent phases of the analysis looked at: land use from the perspective of impacts to water quality and living resources; habitat restoration and its benefits to water quality; living resources and public access; open space preservation and its benefits to water quality; living resources, public access and tourism; and economic development in maritime centers as it relates to water quality, living resources, and public access and tourism in the Reserve. Council members reviewed each phase of the analysis through a series of workshops. A series of integrative analysis maps is provided at the end of this chapter.

The actions described below target effort where the greatest potential exists for halting further degradation of the Reserve's natural resources and realizing improvements to them, and where multiple goals and objectives of the Council can be achieved. The actions focus attention where problems have been clearly identified and where the existence of motivated partners assures a higher likelihood of success. They are organized and presented according to outcomes they will fulfill and are referenced to the recommendations in the preceding chapters that would be implemented.

Following each implementation action is a line titled Responsibility. It identifies suggested entities and/or partners that would have lead responsibility for implementation of the action. An implementation map is provided at the end of this chapter.

Nonpoint source pollution is the primary water quality concern in the Reserve. Stormwater runoff alone is a principal pollutant causing use impairments in 48 of the 51 waterbody segments in the Reserve that appear on the 1996 Priority Waterbody List. Elevated levels of coliform bacteria in stormwater runoff, an indicator of the potential presence of pathogens, is responsible for the closures of shellfish beds and bathing beaches; sediment and excessive nutrients in stormwater runoff have pronounced negative effects on the Reserve's living resources.

Implementation Actions

1-1(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include:

• the watersheds of Mill River and the Freeport Creek/Reservoir*/East Meadow Brook complex, where finfish resources are impaired by silt and excessive nutrients in stormwater runoff;

• the watershed of the Massapequa Creek/Lake/Reservoir complex*, where fishing and fish propagation and survival are affected by pollutants in runoff; and

• contributing areas to Zachs Bay and South Oyster Bay at Biltmore Beach where two swimming beaches experience periodic closures due to elevated levels of coliform bacteria.

1-1(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include:

• upland areas from Amityville Creek* to Willets Creek*, which include six tributaries with impaired living resources, and which drain into waters associated with 1,845 acres of conditionally closed shellfish beds and three swimming beaches that experience periodic water quality-related closures;

• contributing areas to Great Cove, which include four tributaries with impaired living resources, and which drain into waters associated with 673 acres of conditionally closed shellfish beds and a swimming beach that experiences periodic water quality-related closures;

• the watershed of the Connetquot River*, a Wild and Scenic River and Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat that supports alewives and trout and has impaired living resources;

• the watershed to Patchogue Bay, associated with 615 acres of conditionally closed shellfish beds and four tributaries with impaired living resources;

• the watershed of the Carmans River*, a Wild and Scenic River and Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat that supports alewives and trout and that has impaired living resources; and

• the watershed of Beaverdam Creek (Town of Brookhaven), a Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat that supports alewives and trout.

1-1(c) In the eastern bays subregion, priorities should include:

• the watershed of the Terrell River*, where fish survival is impaired in the entire (3.0 mile) river by bacteria, sediment and excessive nutrients in runoff. The river discharges into Moriches Bay*, where shellfishing is closed in 47% of the bay (5,142 acres) due to elevated levels of coliform bacteria from stormwater runoff;

• the watershed of Beaverdam Creek* (Town of Southampton), which also drains into Moriches Bay. The Beaverdam is stocked with trout by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and supports alewives. Fish survival is impaired in the entire (4.0 mile) creek due to sediment in runoff;

• the watershed of Aspatuck Creek*, where fish survival is impaired in the entire (2.0 mile) creek from sediment and excessive nutrients in runoff. The creek flows into Quantuck Bay*, where shellfishing is precluded in all of its 730 acres;

• the watershed of Quantuck Creek*, known to support alewives but where fish survival is impaired due to sediment and excessive nutrients in runoff, and which also empties into Quantuck Bay;

• the watershed of Weesuck Creek*, which drains into Shinnecock Bay*. A 270-acre segment of the bay is closed to shellfishing due to elevated levels of coliform bacteria in runoff. About 20 acres of the upper tidal portion of the creek are closed to shellfishing; and

• contributing areas to Tiana Bay*, where shellfishing is precluded in 12 acres of the upper bay due to elevated levels of coliform bacteria in runoff.

* included on NYSDEC's 1996 Priority Waterbody List

Responsibility: Counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach, NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

1-2 Amendment of county and local government codes and regulations to include best management practices. The following list of best management practices, and the municipalities identified as needing to adopt them, are based on the completed municipal nonpoint pollution control assessments for the six towns and two counties in the Reserve. Implementation of these best management practices should include, when practicable in select cases, evaluation of effectiveness of implementation and enforcement.

Reduction of construction-related pollutants. To reduce the amount of erosion during site preparation and during and after construction, best management practices need to be incorporated by Nassau County into its subdivision regulations and by the towns of Hempstead, Babylon and Southampton into their site plan review regulations. (Oyster Bay, Islip and Brookhaven have practices in place.) This is especially necessary given that such action eventually will be required under the Environmental Protection Agency's Phase II stormwater regulations (see Action 1-7).

To address the generation, storage, application, handling and disposal of petroleum products and hazardous materials associated with site preparation and construction, relevant standards from the National Fire Protection Association, NYS Environmental Conservation Law Article 27, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration that pertain to spill cleanups need to be adopted by Nassau County into its subdivision regulations and by each of the Reserve towns into their codes. Additionally, each local government should train its spill response team in these standards and procedures. (Addresses Recommendations 6 and 8 in Chapter 2)

Improvement of roadway maintenance practices. To reduce contamination of stormwater runoff by pollutants from existing roads, highways and bridges, best management practices for roadway maintenance from NYS Department of Transportation procedural manuals and from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Management Practices Catalogue for Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention and Water Quality Protection in New York State that reduce pollutant loads to stormwater need to be formally adopted, as appropriate, in each local government's standard procedures and codes. (Addresses Recommendation 7 in Chapter 2)

Reduction of fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide use. Best management practices that reduce the use of and need for fertilizers and pesticides should be used on municipal golf courses and other public properties, and should be strongly encouraged on privately-owned lands as well. This should include eliminating the use of pesticides for aesthetic purposes on golf courses; implementing golf course management plans that control the use of substances that may harm the aquatic environment; requiring new golf courses to be designed and built to limit impacts from these pollutants on water and living resources; requiring the use of the less toxic alternatives of Integrated Pest Management (IPM); using native plant species in new landscaping on public lands; and targeting outreach programs on this issue at individuals in both the public and private sectors. (Addresses Recommendation 8 in Chapter 2)

Adoption of a "pooper-scooper" law. A "pooper-scooper" law that reduces bacterial contamination of stormwater from domestic animal feces, similar to that in Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon and Islip, needs to be adopted by those towns in the Reserve that have no such law in place. (Addresses Recommendation 8 in Chapter 2)

Reduction of pollutants associated with new and redeveloping marinas and recreational boating. Best management practices from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Management Practices Catalogue for Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention and Water Quality Protection in New York State for the siting and design of new and redeveloping marinas, marina-based maintenance practices, and recreational boating need to be adopted into local regulations by Nassau County and towns and villages in the Reserve. This action should include: verifying the number of existing pumpout facilities in each of the Reserve's bays, assessing their operation and maintenance and, if warranted, improving their user fee structure; increasing the numbers of land and water-based pumpout facilities to meet the needs of recreational boaters and criteria for designation of each bay as a no-discharge zone for vessel wastes; and upgrading and coordinating enforcement of vessel waste regulations. A comprehensive marina and boater education program should be a critical component of this effort. (Addresses Recommendations 9 and 10 in Chapter 2)

Adoption of hydromodification best management practices. Municipal activities which involve hydromodification (e.g., channelization and channel modifications; dam construction, repair, or removal; and alterations to streambanks and shorelines) potentially have negative impacts on the aquatic environment. In order to reduce the scope of impacts, practices from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Management Practices Catalogue for Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention and Water Quality Protection in New York State that protect and restore wetlands, streams and riparian corridors need to be formally adopted and incorporated into any hydromodification activities. (Addresses Recommendations 11 and 12 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: Counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach, Council, Citizens Advisory Committee, Reserve office (for training component)

1-3 Implementation of on-site wastewater treatment (septic) system maintenance and upgrades. When located in the coastal zone, septic systems are a known and constant source of nutrients to groundwater, and when they fail (discharge to the surface), are sources of bacteria that can be transported by stormwater runoff. To reduce the environmental impacts of on-site systems, Suffolk County should consider requiring periodic pumpouts and inspections of such systems in Reserve portions of the county not served by public sewers. Suffolk County should also consider requiring upgrades to septic systems with change of use or substantial redevelopment of real property in the county, and explore the feasibility of employing alternative on-site wastewater treatment systems that would be managed through a decentralized wastewater treatment district.

In the Town of Hempstead, all residences and businesses in the community of Point Lookout are serviced by septic systems that may discharge indirectly to Reynolds Channel. The Nassau County Department of Health should work to develop and implement a strategy that: requires periodic pumpout and inspection of these systems; requires upgrades of existing septic systems with change of use or redevelopment of real property; and establishes a public education program that addresses proper use and necessary maintenance of such systems. All towns, except for Oyster Bay, which has no residential septic systems in Reserve portions of the town, should work closely with their respective counties to offer similar education programs.

This action should also include evaluation of the potential water quality impacts of on-site septic systems in high-density residential areas of the Patchogue River Maritime Center (see Action 2-5), and in low-lying areas of Mastic Beach and Bellport. (Addresses Recommendation 13 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: Counties; Council, Citizens Advisory Committee, Reserve office (for education component)

1-4 Implementation of Agricultural Environmental Management. The Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Initiative should be implemented in Suffolk County. This voluntary program calls on local soil and water conservation districts to provide technical assistance to farm operators to assure environmental stewardship through the use of best management practices and compliance with relevant environmental regulations. Availability of State funding for remediation of environmental problems on farms is largely contingent upon participation in the AEM program. (Addresses Recommendation 8 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District

1-5 Completion of assessments of municipal nonpoint pollution management practices. Nassau and Suffolk counties, and all six towns in the Reserve, have completed assessments of their current nonpoint source pollution management practices. These assessments have identified the corrective and preventive actions that remain to be taken by those local governments as well as the need for training that incorporates best management practices. Similar assessments need to be undertaken by the City of Long Beach and all incorporated villages in the Reserve. Such assessments of current regulations and practices should be used to identify gaps in those practices and determine the necessary actions to address those gaps. (Addresses Recommendation 1 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: Villages, City of Long Beach (Technical assistance provided by NYS Department of State, counties and towns)

1-6 Development of watershed action plans. Although local governments in the Reserve and involved State agencies have addressed various plan components, all need to complete watershed action plans in an effort to target significant nonpoint source pollution contributing areas and prioritize stormwater remediation projects. These plans should include: an inventory and analysis of contributing areas; inventories of stormwater conveyance infrastructure; identification of opportunities for protection of high quality waters from future pollution; and build-out analysis for privately-owned undeveloped lands and population projection as part of watershed planning. Villages should be included in these plans to the extent practicable. (Addresses Recommendation 2 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, counties, towns (Technical assistance provided by NYS Department of State.)

1-7 Preparation for compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Stormwater Phase II Final Rule. In order to meet the upcoming criteria and permit conditions under the Environmental Protection Agency's Storm Water Phase II Final Rule permit program: 1) the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation should designate the entire contributing area to the estuary as requiring stormwater permits; and 2) counties and municipalities in the Reserve need to adopt and implement the required regulations (see Action 1-2) for operators of small construction activities (from one to less than five acres of land disturbed) and principal separate stormwater systems. This action should also include information and education programs by the NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation for local government officials on implementation of the Phase II Final Rule. (Addresses Recommendation 18 and 19 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (for designation), counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach (Technical assistance from NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation for required regulations)

1-8 Exploring the feasibility of stormwater management districts. A study of the feasibility of establishing stormwater management districts needs to be undertaken in an effort to address overlapping municipal authorities and the implementation of Environmental Protection Agency Phase II Final Rule permit conditions. (Addresses Recommendation 22 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Department of State, counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach

Implementation Actions

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, towns or current property owners

2-2 Assessment of abandoned and closed landfills. The potential or actual impacts of abandoned and closed landfills on ground and surface waters and living resources need to be determined through cooperative efforts of the Reserve office (see Action 11-2), the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and individual towns. At facilities where significant threats to public health and the environment are found, the feasibility of upgrades to such facilities through installation of impervious covers needs to be explored. (Addresses Recommendation 14 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: Reserve office and towns (investigation), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (evaluation)

2-3 Exploring regulation of private petroleum tanks less than 1,100 gallons. The regulation of privately-owned residential heating oil tanks less than 1,100 gallons in capacity should be explored in an effort to reduce the potential for leaks and spills from such tanks. Nassau County regulated these tanks at one time but found the program costly and burdensome; they now have a voluntary program. Suffolk County needs to identify management options for such tanks. New York State should encourage regulation of tanks less than 1,100 gallons. (Addresses Recommendation 14 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: Counties, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

2-4 Evaluation of need for wastewater treatment plant upgrades and outfall relocations. If Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for nutrient inputs to the western bays and Reynolds Channel are developed (see Action 6-3 for explanation of the TMDL development process), the expected benefits of upgrades to the municipal wastewater treatment plants discharging to these bays, or the relocation of their outfalls to the Atlantic Ocean, need to be weighed against the costs of such actions, the legal requirements associated with TMDLs, and other potential alternatives for meeting reductions in SPDES discharges that will likely be necessary to conform with TMDL nutrient allocations. (Addresses Recommendation 15 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: Nassau County, City of Long Beach, Village of Lawrence, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

2-5 Expansion of Village of Patchogue Sewer District. Once the water quality impacts of on-site wastewater treatment (septic) systems in high density residential areas of the Patchogue River Maritime Center are verified and reflected in NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Priority Waterbody List, the expected costs and benefits of expanding the Village of Patchogue Sewer District to include the Patchogue River Maritime Center, and upgrading the Village sewage treatment plant to tertiary treatment, should be evaluated. (Addresses Recommendation 15 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: Village of Patchogue, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Implementation Actions

Responsibility: Towns

3-2 Expansion of Islip hatchery. The existing Islip shellfish hatchery should be evaluated for potential expansion into a large regional facility, which could satisfy the needs of all towns in the Reserve. Given the brown tide occurrences in Great South Bay, this should include assessment of expanding only land-based seed production and consideration of other locations less likely to be affected by this harmful algae.

Responsibility: Reserve office

3-3 Increasing grow-out of shellfish. An important shellfish management strategy is the grow-out of seed to a size which confers significantly higher survival rates. The Town of Babylon, using predator exclusion rafts to grow out seed clams, has achieved a rate of clam survival approaching 90%. Existing town shellfish grow-out efforts should be supported, building on the results of current hard clam growth and recruitment research. The economic feasibility of expanding public aquacultural grow-out of hard clams, oysters, scallops and other shellfish species should be evaluated, and potential pilot projects and locations identified. (Addresses Recommendation 7 in Chapter 3)

3-3(a). In the western bays subregion, priorities should include evaluation of expansion of existing hard clam grow-out by Town of Hempstead.

3-3(b). In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include evaluation of expansion of existing hard clam grow-out by the Town of Babylon, and hard clam and oyster grow-out programs being conducted by Town of Islip.

3-3(c). In the eastern bays subregion, priorities should include evaluation of expansion of existing oyster and scallop grow-out programs being conducted by the Town of Southampton, and support for proposed Town of Southampton aquaculture pilot projects involving improved grow-out techniques.

Responsibility: Towns, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Marine Sciences Research Center

3-4 Enhancement of hard clam habitat through shell augmentation. Recent research suggests that hard clam populations may be enhanced through addition of appropriate shell materials to the bottom substrate. Based on proposed sediment mapping (Action 6-3), shellfish population surveys, and an evaluation of the results of current experiments in eastern Great South Bay by the Town of Brookhaven and the Army Corps of Engineers, hard clam populations in Great South Bay, Moriches, and Shinnecock bays may be enhanced through shell augmentation projects, using shell materials from appropriate sources. (Addresses Recommendation 9 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: Towns of Brookhaven and Southampton, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

3-5 Evaluation of potential spawner sanctuaries. A spawner sanctuary is an area stocked with large, mature hard clams to enhance fertilization of eggs, and which is located so that it will increase the set of sanctuary-produced larvae in predetermined areas that are capable of sustaining good growth and high densities. Additional spawner sanctuary locations should be identified, with site selection based on stock assessments, substrate analysis and improved estuarine circulation models. A monitoring program needs to be developed and implemented in order to determine the effectiveness of the spawner sanctuaries. (Addresses Recommendations 7 and 9 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: Towns, Marine Science Research Center, NYS Department of State

3-6 Creation of a Reserve shellfish management forum. A shellfish management forum should be created for the purpose of promoting effective exchange of management-related information, improving the efficiency of management operations, and establishing a Reserve-wide approach to optimizing shellfish productivity, including guiding the development of a Reserve hard clam fisheries management plan. (Addresses Recommendations 7, 8, and 9 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: Council, towns, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, bayman's associations

Implementation Actions

In cooperation with various partners, application of the NYS Department of State's wetland restoration assessment tool has provided guidance for an initial list of wetland sites appropriate for restoration activity (see example at end of chapter) with an initial focus on wetland sites degraded through deposition of dredge material or restricted tidal flow. The Long Island Wetlands Restoration Initiative, a formal cooperative effort between the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Suffolk County's Division of Vector Control, and Ducks Unlimited has selected wetland restoration sites in the Reserve. These are large sites requiring restoration of natural tidal flow patterns through closure of mosquito ditches. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as part of its South Shore of Long Island Environmental Restoration Study, has identified a number of restoration candidate sites: Meadow Island, West Meadow Island, Pearsall's Hassock and Alder Island (Hempstead); Ox Island/Nazeras Island, North Gilgo and Indian Island County Park (Babylon); Northeast Captree Island/Sand Island and Brown's River (Islip); and Island Point Marsh (Brookhaven). These are primarily large sites requiring removal of dredged material deposits. A list of initial project sites is being developed for the Town of Islip using the assessment tool.

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State, Environmental Conservation and Transportation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, counties, towns, Long Island Wetlands Restoration Initiative

4-2 Coordination of wetland restoration efforts. Current State regulations regarding tidal wetlands have been very successful in preventing direct wetland acreage losses. However, significant indirect loss of wetlands, such as through erosion or nonpoint source pollution impacts, may still occur and is not well covered by existing regulations. Additionally, there is a need for improved coordination between restoration implementers and regulatory agencies in order to promote wetland restoration. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is considering revisions to tidal wetland regulations in order to address indirect losses and to facilitate tidal wetland restoration as a presumptively beneficial activity.

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

4-3 Restoration of anadromous fish. A key component of the estuarine ecosystem are its populations of anadromous fish, or marine fish that use fresh waters for spawning. Reserve populations of anadromous fish, particularly salmonid (trout) and alosid (herring) species, have declined significantly from historic levels. Future salmonid restoration efforts should focus on tributaries proximal to existing inlets, which provide lower stable temperature regimes, especially in the summer and fall. For alosid restoration, where effort does not relate to inlet proximity, alewife populations should be the initial focus of effort. The ultimate goal of alewife restoration efforts should be the re-introduction of alewives into all former parts of their estuarine range with suitable or restorable habitat areas. Fundamental to enhancing or re-establishing anadromous fish in tributaries will be management actions that focus on abating polluted stormwater and undertaking other water quality improvement measures, while augmenting stream flow, restoring wetland hydrology, and removing or modifying physical barriers to the upstream passage of fish where suitable potential habitat exists. (Addresses Recommendations 4 and 5 in Chapter 3)

4-3(a) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities for initial evaluation of trout and herring restoration potential should include the Carlls, Connetquot, Carmans and Swan rivers; and Orowoc and Beaverdam creeks.

4-3(b) In the eastern bays subregion, priorities should include the Terrell and East rivers; Tiana Bay, and Quantuck, Weesuck , Heady, and Beaverdam creeks.

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, Towns of Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven and Southampton

4-4 Habitat restoration in tributaries. The Reserve's tidal and freshwater streams provide important habitats for the Reserve's fish and wildlife, and warrant particular attention. Preservation of these habitats hinges on protection of the 5,000 acres of riverine emergent and forested wetland areas remaining in the Reserve. These areas need to be conserved through protection and restoration measures, such as open space acquisition, establishment of vegetated buffer areas, restoration of tidal flow, and construction of stormwater runoff control projects. (Addresses Recommendation 3 in Chapter 3)

4-4(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include: Mill River and Massapequa Creek.

4-4(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include: the Carll's, Connetquot, Carmans, Brown's and Swan rivers; and Orowoc and Beaverdam creeks.

4-4(c) In the eastern bays subregion, priorities should include the Terrell, Forge, and East rivers, and Tiana, Quantuck, Weesuck, Heady, Speonk, and Beaverdam creeks.

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, counties, towns

4-5 Evaluation and restoration of eelgrass beds. An important habitat in the Reserve, eelgrass beds help to stabilize bottom sediments, serve as a food source for brant and other waterfowl, and provide critical nursery habitat for estuarine finfish and shellfish, especially scallops. Eelgrass habitat has been lost or degraded in the western bays and in portions of Great South Bay, although the current extent and potential reasons for such loss have not been documented. The condition of eelgrass beds in the remainder of the Reserve has not yet been determined (see Action 6-11). While current regulations (i.e., Protection of Waters Act and Tidal Wetlands Act) potentially offer some protection for existing eelgrass beds, more comprehensive coverage is required. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation needs to: 1) create improved guidance for interpreting eelgrass bed protection under the current regulations; 2) develop a management plan for eelgrass and other submerged aquatic vegetation; and 3) explore development of new regulatory protection specifically for submerged aquatic vegetation. Continued research in eelgrass restoration methodologies should be encouraged and the results should be incorporated in eelgrass restoration efforts. (Addresses Recommendations 6 and 9 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation and State, towns

4-6 Vegetation management for coastal birds. Protecting shorebirds, waterfowl, and colonial waterbirds, as well as coastal populations of migratory birds, will require: 1) continued support for current management programs (administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Reserve towns, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society chapters and others), which include protection of nesting sites on beaches and bay islands, regulatory and educational measures to reduce predation by domestic animals and human disturbance; 2) development and implement-ation of improved habitat enhancement and restoration measures; 3) regulatory reform to allow devegetation and use of dredged material to enhance or create nesting habitat, particularly on dredged material or marsh islands; and 4) identification of barrier beach and dune areas that provide critical foraging and nesting habitat for colonial waterbirds and shorebirds for open space acquisition and/or improved management actions. In addition, the NYS Department of State should modify guidelines contained in the existing Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat narratives to include consideration of the nesting and foraging requirements of colonial waterbirds and shorebirds, as well as long term erosion dynamics of inlet islands, in beach management and inlet maintenance activities. (Addresses Recommendation 6 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fire Island National Seashore, NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation and State, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, towns

4-7 Recognition of shorebird reserves. Undeveloped portions of Fire Island and the Carmans River corridor should be identified as regionally important sites in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. The Network links wetland and associated upland sites essential to migratory shorebirds in a voluntary, non-regulatory program. The goal of the Network's program is to increase public recognition, improve habitat management and monitor threatened populations by providing technical assistance, management training and developing educational materials. (Addresses Recommendation 6 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: Shorebird Reserve Network, Towns of Babylon, Islip, and Brookhaven

4-8 Increased protection of marine turtle populations. Several endangered species of marine turtles use the deepwater areas of eastern Shinnecock Bay for feeding and juvenile development. Biological information, regional geographic distribution of turtles, and boating guidelines related to improving protection for marine turtles should be incorporated into the existing Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife habitat narratives for the area. The Town of Southampton should encourage cooperation with these guidelines through outreach efforts. (Addresses Recommendation 9 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, Town of Southampton

4-9 Management of upland ponds. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Suburban Pond Management Plan should be implemented. Priority attention should be given to completing work on Milburn Pond and Roosevelt Pond, and conducting restoration feasibility studies on Lofts Pond, Silver Lake, Mill Pond and Grant Pond. (Addresses Recommendations 3 and 6 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Nassau County

4-10 Augmentation of streamflow. Nassau County should complete flow augmentation efforts in those streams identified by the Flow Augmentation Needs Study as in need of such remediation. Augmentation actions would include a variety of different stormwater diversion measures designed to mitigate loss of baseflow in these streams. Remediation activities have been completed on East Meadow Brook and Seaford Creek. Work remains to be done on Massapequa Creek, Pines Brook, Mill River, Cedar Swamp Creek, Bellmore Creek and Carmans Creek. Methods for improving stream flow need to take into account the potential effects of stormwater diversions on living resources and groundwater resources, and the potential effects of sediment check dams as physical barriers to the upstream migration of diadromous fish. (Addresses Recommendations 3 and 4 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: Nassau County

Preservation of undeveloped lands along the shoreline and tributary watersheds will reduce the land available for new development and hence limit potential for pollution from runoff entering the estuary system. The greatest extent of potentially developable land is found east of the Connetquot River. In the western part of the Reserve, protection of smaller open space lands is critical to provide adequate space for remediation of polluted stormwater runoff.

This plan calls for the immediate protection of open space as an action that serves the multiple objectives described above. The Council must assume a leading role to coordinate the open space preservation efforts of the various partners and facilitate the development of an action strategy to guide the expenditure of funds in a manner that will achieve the greatest open space preservation benefit.

Implementation Actions

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Reserve office, Reserve Open Space Workgroup

5-2 Analysis of small parcel open space opportunities. In many areas the remaining open spaces coincide with small parcels. These small parcels must be analyzed for their potential open space values. Priority should be given to protecting smaller parcels in stream corridors, along embayment shoreline and at street ends. Properties proposed for water quality improvement projects should also be analyzed for their open space and public access values. Protection of small parcels can provide a cumulative open space benefit to the Reserve. (Addresses Recommendation 5 in Chapter 4)

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach, Reserve office, non-profit organizations

5-3 Use of a land trust to assist local acquisition efforts. In many areas through out the State, land trusts facilitate open space protection by working with private land owners outside the government framework. The Council should work with one or more land trusts to facilitate the acquisition of smaller parcels to protect community character, water quality and living resources, and provide for increase public access and recreational opportunities. The assistance from a land trust would provide expertise to: match the appropriate tax benefits to the needs of the potential land donors; acquire land conservation easements; acquire land; assess open space values; develop open space preservation and public use plans for specific properties; and monitor and enforce easement restrictions. (Addresses Recommendation 6 in Chapter 4)

Responsibility: Council, land trust(s)

5-4 Implementation of local open space plans. Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Town of Southampton have prepared open space plans to guide decision-making and expenditure of limited funds for open space protection. Other local governments within the Reserve should develop open space plans as Local Waterfront Revitalization Program components. (Addresses Recommendation 11 in Chapter 4)

Responsibility: Counties, towns, villages

5-5 Acquisition of open space. Responsible entities should continue to build upon the list of potential open space sites identified in the South Shore Estuary Reserve Open Space Preservation Report for acquisition and protection. (Addresses Recommendation 5 in Chapter 4)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, counties, towns, villages, non-profit organizations

5-5(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include approximately 60 acres west of the recently protected de St. Aubins property in Lido Beach, Hempstead, and approximately 10 acres along the oceanfront in Long Beach.

5-5(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include acquisition:

• within the Town of Babylon, along the Carlls River and Sampawams Creek, especially in the northern portions, to improve water quality and increase the extent of preserved open space;

• within the Town of Islip, along the Champlin Creek, Sans-Soucci Lakes, Green Creek, and Orowoc Creek tributaries; and

• within the Town of Brookhaven, along tributaries entering Patchogue Bay, including Corey and Tuthills creeks, the Patchogue and Swan rivers, and Mud, Abets and Hedges creeks to help reduce nonpoint source pollution to the tributaries and resultant shellfish closures in the Bay; and along tributaries which enter Bellport Bay within the Beaverdam Creek watershed as well as the Carmans River, to improve and maintain water quality.

5-5(c) In the eastern bays subregions, priorities should include acquisition within the Town of Brookhaven along the Forge River corridor, along the eastern side of the Terrell River corridor, and in other waterfront areas with significant open space values. The Town of Southampton should continue the implementation of its open space plan with emphasis on protection of the back bay of Shinnecock Bay, the Weesuck Creek corridor, properties in the Village of Quogue and other pristine areas identified in the plan.

Implementation Actions

Responsibility: Various government agencies and academic institutions with existing programs, volunteers, Reserve office (for coordination)

6-2 Land use build-out analysis. The future potential impact from new development and the effects of existing land use on water quality and estuarine productivity are key research needs. The development of the South Shore Estuary Reserve pollution potential model, using land cover, soil permeability and topographic information, was a major effort to begin assessing water quality impacts from land use. Significant work in this area is still necessary. For the majority of the Suffolk County portion of the Reserve, a complete land use verification and build-out analysis must be completed before there can be a clear estimation of the impacts of existing and planned development. In Nassau County assessment parcel data is needed. In both Nassau and Suffolk counties potential brownfield parcels must be identified and a strategy for their cleanup and reuse developed. For the entire Reserve, a detailed analysis must be performed on the results of the 2000 census information to determine the population trends over the past 10 years, anticipated future population growth and a review of the water quality management recommendations in the plan to ensure their validity. (Addresses Recommendation 2 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Department of State, counties, towns

6-3 Determination of additional point and nonpoint source pollution controls. In order to determine additional point and nonpoint source controls necessary to reduce loadings of pathogens, nutrients and toxic substances in the Reserve, water quality data for tributaries and bays need to be evaluated and used to identify specific waterbodies that should be included on the State's 303(d) list. For waterbodies identified on the 303(d) list, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation needs to develop Total Maximum Daily Load figures (TMDLs) in accordance with the schedule included in the list, which is expected to be finalized in April 2002. TMDLs will identify the reductions in point and nonpoint sources of pollutants necessary to meet water quality standards. (Addresses Recommendation 14 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

6-4 Determination of sediment composition in Reserve tributaries and bays. In order to determine if contaminants are present in bottom sediments the following steps should be taken: 1) develop a sediment texture (composition) map to evaluate the potential for contaminants to adhere to sediment based on grain size in tributaries and bays; 2) further investigate areas of bottom sediments with high potential for being contaminated to determine the actual presence of contaminants and the significance of resources impaired or at risk; and 3) conduct site-specific sampling and testing to assess the feasibility of remedial actions in areas determined to have contaminated sediments that threaten significant water and living resources. (Addresses Recommendation 17 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation

6-5 Monitoring landfill performance and compliance. The monitoring of ground and surface waters in proximity to landfills should be continued and strengthened as a part of landfill operation and for a period of thirty years after a landfill stops receiving solid wastes. Such an effort is critical to assure that the performance of solid waste landfills in the Reserve are operated in a manner protective of public health and the environment. As part of this effort, towns operating solid waste planning units need to continue to monitor their landfills, re-evaluate their solid waste disposal strategies and increase efforts at waste reduction. (Addresses Recommendation 14 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, towns

6-6 Analysis of existing information on leaks and spills. Reserve-wide information on the frequency of leaks and spills should be analyzed with respect to causative factors with the aim of further reduction in such incidents. Information about existing facilities has been compiled and is currently maintained in a centralized data bank. This information should be used to identify opportunities for focused programs to reduce leaks and spills. This action should also include determining if there is a feasible and fiscally-responsible approach to identifying environmental problems due to abandoned storage tanks. (Addresses Recommendation 14 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, counties

6-7 Development of a Reserve-wide hydrologic model. Groundwater underflow, tributary inputs, circulation and ocean-bay exchanges need to be measured, modeled and used to predict the water quality impacts of dredging, bay flooding and erosion, land use decisions, shoreline hardening, sea level rise and the transport and fate of pollutants. (Addresses Recommendation 24 in Chapter 2)

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey

6-8 Monitoring the ecosystem. A comprehensive ecosystem monitoring program, coordinated by the Reserve office (see Action 11-2), needs to be developed and implemented. Such a program should document the current abundance and distribution of critical Reserve species, endangered and threatened species, and important habitat needs, and should include development of biological indicators of ecosystem health and measurable ecological goals. The program should also be used to evaluate restoration and other management efforts. (Addresses Recommendation 2 in Chapter 3)

Specific objectives for ecosystem monitoring include: expanded assessment of waterfowl usage; documentation of critical waterbird foraging areas; analysis of population dynamics of blue crab and other crab species; benthic invertebrate surveys including ecological assessment of other shellfish species such as oysters, scallops, soft shell clams and mussels; assessment of estuarine finfish spawning, nursery and sheltering habitat needs; and distribution and abundance of seagrasses (other than eelgrass) and macroalgae.

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Reserve office

6-9 Study of hard clam biology. Although over harvest has played a contributing role in reducing the level of hard clam stocks, a general decline in both recruitment and growth rates is also involved. Shellfish managers are hindered in their efforts to rebuild stocks by critical information gaps regarding both of these factors. Based on recommendations from the Hard Clam Workshop, the Molluscan Shellfish Technical Report and directed study supported by Sea Grant's Hard Clam Initiative, research should be conducted that addresses critical information on hard clam settlement, growth and recruitment. (Addresses Recommendation 10 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Reserve office, various academic institutions

6-10 Assessment of additional tidal wetland sites for restoration. The GIS-based assessment tool developed by the Department of State in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Ecosystems Program should serve as a guide for planning and design of tidal wetland restoration activities throughout the Reserve. Assessment of potential restoration sites will identify priority sites and technical approaches appropriate for towns and other restoration partners. Cooperation and coordination among federal, State, local governments, and non-governmental partners should be facilitated by this analysis.

Responsibility: NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

6-11 Completion of a baseline inventory of eelgrass distribution. Current mapping of the estuary's eelgrass beds by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will establish a baseline of eelgrass distribution and abundance. Periodic monitoring (see Action 6-8) will provide the basis for evaluation of eelgrass loss or impairment trends in relation to restoration efforts. The role of nutrient loading in eelgrass decline should also be assessed. (Addresses Recommendations 6 and 9 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: NYS Department of State, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

6-12 Undertaking research on bay flooding and erosion. Research is needed to better understand the natural causes of bay flooding and erosion, the impacts of development in erosion prone areas and the effects of shoreline hardening. Such research should include an estuary-wide network of tide gauges for monitoring water levels. New methods for mitigating bay flooding and erosion impacts in the estuary should be explored. A comprehensive analysis should be conducted of anticipated changes in the shoreline due to continuing rise in sea level, including effects on natural resources, real property and infrastructure. The extent and geographically specific cause(s) of erosion losses of back barrier and mainland tidal marshes and salt marsh bay islands also need to be determined. Appropriate management actions to address marsh and bay island erosion problems, including the installation of wave attenuation structures, need to be evaluated. (Addresses Recommendations 4, 9 and 11 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NYS Departments of State and Environmental Conservation, Marine Science Research Center

6-13 Expansion of brown tide research. Harmful algal blooms known as brown tide cause a marked decline in the feeding response of shellfish and reduce light penetration through the water column, limiting the growth of submerged plants. The brown tide research being conducted by Suffolk County and the Brown Tide Research Initiative must be continued until the causes of such blooms are identified and it is determined that such causes can be prevented or mitigated. Doing so will allow more effective management of hard clams and other shellfish species, finfish and submerged aquatic vegetation. (Addresses Recommendation 25 in Chapter 2; Recommendation 10 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: Suffolk County, Brown Tide Research Initiative

6-14 Analyzing duck sludge deposits as potential pollutant sources. Accumulations of duck sludge in Moriches Bay should be analyzed to determine if movement of nutrients from those sediments into the water column occurs at levels that affect the bay's shellfish and submerged aquatic vegetation. Significant deposits of sediments rich in duck sludge should be identified and mapped, and steps taken to remediate those with potential for causing significant impacts to the ecosystem. (Addresses Recommendation 14 in Chapter 2 and Recommendations 3 and 9 in Chapter 3)

Responsibility: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Local, State and federal governments are the principal providers of access, recreation and interpretation through generally autonomous facilities and programs operated with limited coordination. To promote and expand the public use and understanding of the estuary it is necessary to make better use of the existing facilities, increase the number of sites and types of activities, and increase overall coordination between facilities.

Implementation Actions

Responsibility: Various federal agencies, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, NYS Departments of Transportation and Environmental Conservation, counties, towns, villages and City of Long Beach

7-1(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include the rehabilitation of fishing facilities, bulkhead and vessel docks at the Guy Lombardo Marina, West Marina, and East Marina.

7-1(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include increasing public access in the Town of Islip and at selected street ends in the Village of Patchogue. Such action in Islip could include, for example, connecting the existing bikeway between the Hecksher Spur of the Southern State Parkway at Timber Point with Hecksher State Park.

7-2 Creating new public access and recreation opportunities. New opportunities are needed to meet the increasing demand for public access and provide a greater variety of recreational activities. Existing sites should be linked by a system of vehicle, vessel, bicycle and pedestrian trails to increase access opportunities. (Addresses Recommendations 3, 12, 13 and 16 in Chapter 4 and Recommendation 10 in Chapter 5)

Responsibility: Various federal agencies, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, NYS Departments of Transportation and Environmental Conservation, counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach

7-2(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include:

• development of biking/pedestrian trails from the mainland, along Meadowbrook Parkway, to Jones Beach State Park and Point Lookout, and from Jones Beach east along the barrier island;
• waterfront revitalization improvements in the City of Long Beach along Reynolds Channel to develop the area as a regional destination for water-dependent recreation;
• in the Village of Freeport, public access along Little Swift Creek and public facilities and a vessel for educational use by the Long Island Marine Education Center;
• facilities at the newly acquired open space property along the bay in the Lido Beach area (de St. Aubins property);
• designation of non-motorized vessel use areas for wildlife appreciation at the Cow Meadow Preserve wetlands, Lawrence Marsh, and other town preserve areas;
• in the Village of East Rockaway, public improvements to create new public recreational access to the waterfront along East Rockaway Channel; and
• determining the feasibility of providing public access with parking near the parkway bridges for fishing and enjoyment of scenic views.

7-2(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include development of bike/pedestrian trails:

• from the mainland along Robert Moses Causeway to Jones Island and Robert Moses State Park;
• along the Southern State Parkway corridor between Hecksher State Park and Robert Moses State Park; and

• along the Robert Moses, Sagtikos and Sunken Meadow State Parkway corridors between Robert Moses State Park and Sunken Meadow State Park.

Connections should be developed in the eastern portion of the subregion to include Smith Point County Park North.

7-2(c) In the eastern bays subregion, priorities should include development of a bike/pedestrian link along existing highways from the Shirley-Mastic area through the entire subregion.

7-3 Expansion of existing interpretive centers and development of new ones. On a regional basis, facility operators must coordinate, share ideas and contribute to the expansion of existing interpretive programs and the development of new interpretive centers and/or initiatives. Priority should be afforded to the Long Island Marine Education Center in Freeport, Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville, Post-Morrow Foundation in Brookhaven and other facilities that may be identified in the future as key centers for interpretation. In each subregion new interpretive centers should be added or expanded at existing federal, State, county and local recreation facilities, and near wildlife areas and other sites with unique landscape character and historical and cultural attributes. (Addresses Recommendation 3 in Chapter 4, Recommendation 10 in Chapter 5 and Recommendation 11 in Chapter 6)

Responsibility: Various federal agencies, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach, non-governmental organizations

7-3(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include expansion of interpretive facilities and opportunities at the Freeport maritime center; Long Beach recreation area; Nassau County museum; Tackapausha Museum; JFK Sanctuary; and other parks and natural areas throughout the subregion where opportunities to do so exist. One such opportunity is at the abandoned incinerator in the City of Long Beach, which has been proposed to be renovated into an environmental education/art center.

7-3(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include: establishing natural heritage corridors in the Connequot River and Carmans/Beaverdam River watersheds. For the Connetquot River corridor in the Hecksher/Connequot/Oakdale area, this should include the development of a cohesive program that links existing interpretive and recreation facilities, wildlife habitats, historic estates and the West Sayville maritime center, and that focuses on upland and wetland restoration efforts, water quality improvement efforts, and cultural, historic and landscape resources. For the Patchogue River waterfront and Fire Island, priorities include the Fire Island National Seashore's plans to develop a visitors center. For the Carmans/Beaverdam River corridor, priorities should include an interpretive program, in conjunction with the Wertheim Wildlife Refuge that focuses on the natural, historic and cultural resources of the area.

7-3(c) In the eastern bays subregion, priorities should include development of an interpretive program that highlights the history and use of the Shinnecock Canal area in conjunction with increasing public access and stimulating revitalization there. The Town of Southampton should adopt the Shinneock Canal Public Access Improvements Plan to guide future access and recreation projects and implement the plan's proposed interpretation program to bolster tourism and economic development.

7-4 Establishing a South Shore Estuary Reserve Coastal Heritage Trail. A Coastal Heritage Trail should be established to serve as a regional framework for Reserve-wide interpretation of the estuary and its maritime and cultural heritage. Development of the trail should begin with a comprehensive analysis of suitable public access and cultural and historic sites and their optimum connections, activities and areas or subjects for interpretation. The analysis should also identify potential nodes that would function as destinations and means to build upon existing strengths while adding new initiatives. (Addresses Recommendations 1,2, 3, 12 and 13 in Chapter 4)

Responsibility: Various federal and State agencies, counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach, non-governmental organizations

Implementation Actions

Responsibility: Federal agencies, NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach, private sector partners

8-1(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include a feasibility analysis of ferry service between the Village of Freeport and Jones Beach State Park, and preservation of dockage for the commercial fishing industry in Freeport and Point Lookout.

8-1(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include a feasibility analysis of ferry service between the Village of Babylon and Robert Moses State Park, and preservation and expansion of ferry services in Bay Shore, Sayville and Patchogue.

8-1(c) In the eastern bays subregion, priorities should include establishment of ferry service between Senix Creek in the hamlet of Center Moriches and Great Gun Beach as recommended in the Great Gun Beach Ferry Feasibility Study.

8-2 Development of a dredging and dredged materials management plan. In many areas of the estuary, the lack of dredging of authorized navigation channels has diminished navigability and increased the risk of groundings. The dredging issue is further complicated by the rising costs to dredge and dispose of dredged materials as well as inadequate cooperation and coordination among agencies with overlapping authorities. A regional dredging and dredged materials management plan must be prepared and implemented to provide a strategy to ensure the future navigability of the estuary's waters for commercial and recreational vessel use. Such a plan should review and evaluate previous dredging plans (e.g. the Association of Marine Industries plan). Further, the plan should address ways to fund dredging equipment and activities and could include an analysis of the benefits of creating dredging districts to offset the costs associated with dredging. (Addresses Recommendation 6 in Chapter 5)

Responsibility: Various federal and State agencies, counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach, Reserve office

8-2(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include planning for dredging to improve navigability for water-dependent uses in the Village of Freeport, especially the Hudson Canal area.

8-2(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include planning for dredging in:

• the navigation channels serving the maritime centers in the towns of Babylon and Islip (Orowoc, Green, Brown and Sampawams creeks; Oak Island and West Babylon Creek channels; Neguntatogue and Narrasketuck creeks; and sections of the New York State Boat Channel serving Captree Boat Basin); and
• the Patchogue River in the Town of Brookhaven.

8-3 Dredging for safe navigation. There are immediate needs for specific public dredging projects throughout the estuary including maintenance dredging of inlet areas, areas where shoaling impacts navigation, and locations where natural shifting of channels occurs due to tides, storms and ice movement. Safe navigation is a priority for water-dependent public facilities and businesses, especially in maritime centers. In some instances county and local government agencies need funding for equipment to more effectively and efficiently complete necessary dredging. (Addresses Recommendations 6 and 9 in Chapter 5)

Responsibility: Various federal and State agencies, counties, towns, villages, City of Long Beach

8-3(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include ensuring direct access to Jones Inlet Channel and the Atlantic Ocean for fishing fleets from the Village of Freeport and Point Lookout; and access to the Village of Freeport's Hudson Bay, Freeport Creek and Woodcleft Canal.

8-3(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include dredging of the Patchogue River.

8-4 Planning for local waterfront development. Waterfront development plans should be prepared that identify opportunities for siting new water-dependent businesses, retaining those in existence and redeveloping deteriorated or underutilized waterfront properties and brownfields. Plans should consider Local Development Corporations, tax incentives, municipal investments in facilities and other public-private partnerships to spur waterfront development. (Addresses Recommendations 1,2,3 and 4 in Chapter 5)

Responsibility: Towns, villages, City of Long Beach (Technical assistance from NYS Department of State and counties)

8-4(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include the deteriorated or underutilized waterfronts properties along Hog Island Channel and Reynolds Channel, and select properties in and near the Village of Freeport.

8-5 Improving local waterfront regulation. Local governments are in the best position to ensure that their land use regulations effectively protect water-dependent uses and facilitate new waterfront development. State and county agencies should encourage and assist communities interested in modifying waterfront regulations to sustain water-dependent businesses. (Addresses Recommendations 2,3,4 and 5 in Chapter 5)

Responsibility: Towns, villages, City of Long Beach (Technical assistance from NYS Department of State and counties)

8-6 Facilitating public/private partnerships to support water-dependent business. A Geographic Information System (GIS) shoreline parcel database should be developed and used in monitoring the availability of waterfront sites and exploring opportunities for waterfront revitalization through publicly and privately financed waterfront redevelopment projects. The database would allow an analysis of market trends to guide appropriate waterfront redevelopment efforts to the best locations throughout the Reserve. Where appropriate, programs should be undertaken to exchange and distribute information to the water-dependent industry. (Addresses Recommendations 1, 2,5 and 6 in Chapter 5)

Responsibility: NYS Department of State, Reserve office

8-7 Preparation of Local Harbor Management Plans. The estuary system shows signs of disturbance from vessel wakes in and around wetlands and shorelines. Further, crowded conditions from too many vessels in channels and inlets during peak periods raise safety concerns. Attention must be directed at the carrying capacity of the estuary to support commercial and recreational vessel activities. In order to promote efficient use of surface waters and address multiple uses in the embayments and tributaries, local harbor management plans need to be prepared that consider the protection of natural resource values, shoreline management, navigational safety, infrastructure needs and the viability of water-dependent uses. The towns of Oyster Bay and Southampton are currently preparing Local Harbor Management Plans. The remaining towns, shoreline villages and the City of Long Beach should prepare such plans. (Addresses Recommendation 9 in Chapter 5)

Responsibility: Towns, villages, City of Long Beach (Technical assistance from NYS Department of State)

Implementation Actions

Responsibility: Various State agencies, county, towns, villages

9-1(a) In the Great South Bay subregion, priorities should include development of maritime center action plans for:

• West Sayville, focusing on improved facilities for commercial fishing, increased public access and preservation and interpretation of cultural and historic resources to preserve and retain maritime character while supporting tourism;

• Bay Shore, focusing on development of an interpretive center to act as the "Gateway to the Fire Island Communities" to be integrated with the proposed new aquarium facility;

• Sayville, focusing on improving the public waterfront and ferry service areas, integrating them with the central business district and protecting water-dependent uses and the architectural resource values that comprise Sayville's community character.

9-2 Implementation of maritime center action plans. Each of the largest maritime centers - Freeport, Bay Shore, Patchogue and the Shinnecock Canal area - have prepared action plans for all or portions of their waterfront areas. Their action plan recommendations for additional design work and implementation should be undertaken as soon as possible.(Addresses Recommendations 2,3,5,7,8, 9 and 10 in Chapter 5 and Recommendation 11 in Chapter 6)

Responsibility: Villages of Freeport, Bay Shore and Patchogue, Town of Southampton, various State agencies, Reserve office

9-2(a) In the western bays subregion, priorities should include redevelopment initiatives called for in Freeport's Action Plan to strengthen the village as a regionally significant tourist destination by:

• maximizing use of existing infra-structure and developing underutilized lands; public improvements to facilitate the development of the Swift Creek property at the base of Woodcleft Avenue and improving the image along Woodcleft Avenue;

• ensuring appropriate water-dependent development on the waterfront properties on the eastside of Hudson Canal, just beyond the Freeport's boundary though coordinated efforts between the Town of Hempstead and Village of Freeport;

• conducting a market feasibility analysis for a new ferry services between Freeport and the barrier island at Jones Beach State Park and Long Beach; and

• improving bulkhead and dockage facilities to improve recreation and waterborne travel to Village, Town of Hempstead and Nassau County sites.

9-2(b) In the Great South Bay subregion, in the Town of Islip, priorities should include:

• redevelopment initiatives called for in Bay Shore's Harborview Study to encourage water-dependent development and connect the activities and visitors utilizing the ferry services with the western portion of the harbor area and

• revitalizing the harbor area for increased public use.

In the Village of Patchogue, priorities should include:

• implementing the adopted Patchogue River Maritime Center Plan to foster economic development, support traditional maritime uses and encourage growth and

• developing an interpretive center in Patchogue as the Gateway to Fire Island National Seashore to connect the mainland to the barrier island.

9-2(c) In the eastern bays subregion, in the Town of Southampton, priorities should include adopting and implementing the Shinnecock Canal Maritime Planned Development District Final Recommendations to revitalize waterfront businesses, establish the Canal area as a suitable area for economic growth in the eastern bays and improve public access.

9-3 Promotion of maritime centers. The unique composition of businesses, public uses and cultural elements define each maritime center's character. Known as a port for commercial fishing and recreational boating, Bay Shore is home to the Fire Island ferries and boasts one of the largest public marinas in the State. The Patchogue River is the gateway to the Fire Island National Seashore and a hub of activity in Brookhaven. The Shinnecock Canal in Southampton links the estuary to the Peconic Estuary.

Maritime centers should be promoted as appropriate locations for new water-dependent businesses. The following actions should be undertaken to promote maritime centers, foster waterfront redevelopment and revitalization, and encourage interpretive programs to attract visitors:

• technical assistance should be provided to secure funds to prepare necessary maritime center and harbor management plans and implement public and private improvement projects;

• market analysis should be conducted to determine the potential for new water-dependent businesses;

• regional meetings with local governments should be held to share and explore solutions to common problems;
• annual workshops should be sponsored for the maritime business owners and operator to share concerns and seek solutions to common problems;
• programs should be developed to provide technical marine trade skills; and
• the interests of maritime centers should be represented in the development of the Coastal Heritage Trail. (Addresses Recommendations 1,5,7,8,9 and 10 in Chapter 5)

Responsibility: NYS Department of State, Reserve office

Implementation Actions

Responsibility: Council, Citizens Advisory Committee, Reserve office

10-2 Updating education resource directory. The Directory of Educational