South Shore Estuary Reserve Council

St. Lawrence River; Statue of Liberty; World Trade Center Freedom Tower, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP/dbox © SOM 2003; Friends Lake Road; Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay

What's Happening in the South Shore Estuary Reserve?

New York State Underwater Blueway Trail Initiative Seeks Project Coordinator
Hundreds of shipwrecks and submerged features are located in New York’s off shore waters from Long Island to Lake Erie. The NYS Department of State is collaborating with key municipalities to develop a pilot project to identify and establish the New York State Underwater Blueway Trail across the state’s coastal and inland waters. Key components of the trail’s development call for safeguarding the integrity of shipwrecks and underwater cultural resources, as well as promoting recreational diving, tourism and maritime-related education. The Village of Freeport, one of six participating communities serving on the statewide Underwater Blueway Trail initiative, represents the interests of Long Island. The new trail will employ the New York State Coastal Resource Interpretive Program (NYSCRIP) Signage Guidelines at interpretive sites. On the south shore of Long Island, signage will be coordinated with the interpretation of the Long Island South Shore Bayway, an interconnected network of maritime Destinations located between the Nassau/Queens boundary and Shinnecock Bay. Qualified consultants and/or individuals can submit a proposal to provide consulting services to oversee and coordinate the activities of the New York State Underwater Blueway Trail’s development. Additional details are located at: http://www.lakegeorge2000.org/contract_opportunities.htm.
South Shore Estuary Vessel No Discharge Zone Receives Approval
An application to declare the bays of the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (Reserve) a Vessel No Discharge Zone (NDZ) under the federal Clean Water Act has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Planning and preparation for this action, included as recommendations of the Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan Chapter 7 Outcome 1-2 were key steps in the effort to reduce water quality impairments throughout the south shore bays and navigable waters of the Reserve. Led by the Baykeeper organization, the NDZ designation comes as the result of a two year effort. The significant accomplishment to realize the NDZ designation was the result of cooperation and successful partnerships between Reserve local governments state agencies, and diverse estuary stakeholder groups who shared a common goal of improving Reserve water quality. “As chairperson of the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, I applaud the work of the state agencies and the Peconic Baykeeper that led to the designation of the estuarine bays in the Reserve as a Vessel Waste No- Discharge Zone. The designation is a significant step towards a healthier ecosystem and cleaner water in the Reserve. It bolsters the investment and efforts of the New York State Department of State and its partners on the Reserve Council to improve the water quality of the South Shore bays and their tributaries, to protect the habitats for the bays’ aquatic species, and to enhance the region’s economy and maritime heritage.” said New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez. The relatively calm waters of the Reserve support many commercial and recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and tourism. Boat wastewater discharges can impair water quality and wildlife habitat. The Reserve NDZ designation will prohibit discharging of any wastes from marine sanitation devices into Reserve waters, and will encourage boater use of land based and/or mobile vessel pump-out facilities. Information about Vessel No Discharge Zones. Reserve pump out facilities
South Shore Estuary Reserve Stewards Honored
The 5th annual Allan Aronoff Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) Council stewardship awards were presented on October 15, 2009, during a tour of Great South Bay aboard the Lauren Kristy captained by Reserve Council member Mike Eagan of South Bay Cruises, Inc. Over 75 Reserve Council partners joined to recognize an individual and an organization that demonstrated outstanding efforts to advance stewardship of the SSER. The 2009 individual award recipient was Cory Weyant, a Freeport-based bayman who generously and consistently has shared his intimate knowledge of marine life and traditional maritime culture with a wide audience through school and community presentations, walking tours, demonstrations and slide shows. The 20009 organizational award recipient was the Seatuck Environmental Association (SEA), a premier community educational resource for awareness and appreciation of the south shore estuary’s living resources and natural systems. Seatuck was recognized for organizing and implementing a volunteer survey that documents diadromous fish in key Reserve tributaries. more

Stewardship award recipients Bayman Cory Weyant (left) and Enrico Nardone and Brian Kelder of Seatuck Environmental Association (right) display awards aboard Lauren Kristy created by nationally known artist and south shore resident Daniel Pollera. The 2009 award recipients were joined by representatives of the NYS Department of State, SSER Citizens Advisory Committee , Reserve Office staff and SEA Board members
Using Nature's Power to Restore Shellfish in the Hempstead Bays

The Town of Hempstead recently dedicated its new "green" Shellfish nursery utilizing the power of the sun and wind to operate its expanded FLUPSY (Floating Upweller System) for the grow out of juvenile shellfish. The Town anticipates the new system will expand annual grow out capacity by 800% enabling accelerated restoration of shellfish populations for conservation purposes and support of the traditional shellfish industry. As filter feeders, shellfish play a critical role in maintaining estuary water quality. The project is the first of its kind in the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (Reserve) and will serve as an important example for other Reserve partners who are involved in shellfish restoration activities.

The FLUPSY system currently in operation inside the hatchery building which delivers a constant flow of water to the shellfish being held in the circular tanks.	The new, moveable barge showing the array of solar panels and the unique, energy efficient paddlewheel used to move large volumes of water over the clams which are placed in the FLUPSY units below the floor grating.
South Shore Estuary Reserve Organizes Beach Cleanup on National Estuaries Day

Over 75 people participated, collecting 661 pounds of marine debris from Seal Beach adjacent to the fishing piers on the bay side of Jones Beach. The beach is used for both seal and horseshoe crab walks by the general public and our partners at the Roosevelt Nature Center. The volunteers followed a protocol devised by the Ocean Conservancy for the International Coastal Cleanup held each September since 1986. The cleanups are coordinated and debris collection data are compiled by the American Littoral Society. Assisting were members of the Coast Guard Auxilary, the New York State Marine Education Association and the Environmental Resource Management (ERM) Foundation. In addition to stakeholders from the general public, volunteers included local boy and girl scout troops, and high school and college students. More photos

Volunteers keep records of all materials collected	All materials which are collected are then weighed

A total of 661 pounds of marine debris was collected by over 75 Reserve stakeholders
New Watershed Plan for Beaver Dam Creek
Mouth of Beaver Dam Creek flowing into Great South Bay	A watershed management plan has been completed for the Beaver Dam Creek in the Town of Brookhaven. The plan was prepared for the New York State Department of State and the Reserve Council with the assistance of an advisory committee of local government, community groups and watershed residents. Beaver Dam Creek is an important tributary flowing into the Great South Bay region of the South Shore Estuary Reserve and has been the focus of successful partnership based efforts to restore tidal wetlands and improve water quality. The new plan will serve as a framework for local governments, state agencies, watershed groups and residents to take specific recommended actions to restore water quality and improve living resource habitat consistent with the South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan. Click to view the full Beaver Dam Creek Watershed Management Plan.


Two New Collection Boats Launched by Operation SPLASH
	Operation SPLASH (Stop Polluting, Littering And Save Harbors) recently launched two new marine debris collection boats purchased through the 2006 Nassau County Environmental Bond Act. The boats will be used by SPLASH volunteers to patrol local waterways and clean up the bays and wetlands in the western portion of the Reserve. For more information: www.operationsplash.org
Watershed Planning Multimedia Informational Packages Available
	The New York Department of State, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Conservation, has prepared a watershed planning multimedia informational package to meet the growing demand for assistance in watershed planning. It represents an integrated, comprehensive approach to watershed planning that relies on sound science and community consensus to set a shared vision for the future, identify problems, find solutions, and create an action strategy to improve water quality. Watershed Plans: Protecting and Restoring Water Quality summarizes this approach to help characterize watersheds, assess water quality and natural resources, evaluate local controls and practices, develop actions and recommendations, and create implementation strategies. The guidebook builds on a shared approach to watershed management as a means to reduce nonpoint source pollution and protect water resources. It presents a flexible step-wise approach to watershed planning and implementation that highlights local and regional successes in a series of case studies across New York State. The video was designed to encourage local governments and groups to form networks and strengthen partnerships with agencies and educational institutions, to benefit from the wealth of expertise available to protect and restore shared water resources. For more information contact the Department of State website, www.nyswaterfronts.com or 518-474-6000.
Exploring Bay House History

The South Shore Estuary Reserve Council Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)(pictured above)recently held their September meeting at and toured the Captree Island bay house of long-time resident, Forrest P. Clock, Sr. and his daughter, Lesley Kane, member of the CAC. The group was treated to a presentation by Mr. Clock on the history of the bay houses and bay house community of Captree and Havemeyer islands, and the fishing and shellfishing industries of past years. For more information on bay houses in this region please visit the Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan (Chapter 4, Maritime Character).
Reserve Staff Member Receives National Honor
	Lou Siegel, Science Coordinator in the Reserve office and an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Earth and Marine Sciences at Dowling College, received the 2009 National Marine Educators Association’s (NMEA) Marine Education Award at NMEA’s annual summer conference in Asilomar, California. Lou was recognized by his colleagues nationwide for a lifetime of outstanding performance as a marine science educator in New York State. Lou was a pioneer of the New York City Marine Biology curriculum, and he chaired the Department of Science and Oceanography at Beach Channel High School in Queens and later the Science and Technology Department at Oceanside High School in Nassau County. Lou also spent many summers organizing and teaching ecology and marine science courses. Lou is a founding member, current board member, and past president of the New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA), he has chaired several NYSMEA student and teacher conferences, and is currently webmaster of the NYSMEA webpage. In 2002, he edited Learning in the Estuary, a compilation of lesson plans, and many of his colleagues have completed his Shipboard Marine Science course for educators. Lou’s research includes studies of marsh grass (Spartina alterniflora) and the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus). For the past two years, he has coordinated the South Shore Estuary Learning Facilitators (sSELF) Program, which seeks to encourage water quality monitoring and inspire stewardship of local waterways. Lou's interests include photography, sailing, and kayaking, and he has reportedly been seen fishing for striped bass.
More Reserve News...
*New* The Long Island River Otter Project has recently completed a report titled "The Status and Distribution of River Otter (Lontra canadensis) on Long Island, New York". The report documents otter sightings and signs of otter populations on Long Island and discusses possibilities for improving species recovery. Despite its common name, the River Otter inhabits lakes, ponds, swamps and marshes as well as rivers. It is also found in coastal areas, including the saline waters of tidal estuaries such as the bays of the South Shore Estuary Reserve. For more information about otters, view this flyer (.pdf) or contact Mike Bottini via email or by calling 631-267-5228.
The New York Ocean and Great Lakes Atlas provides a wide variety of environmental, social, and economic data for New York State and the South Shore Estuary Reserve! More
Have you or your group participated in a stewardship activity that helps to further the SSER Comprehensive Management Plan? See past recipients of our Preserve the Reserve Stewardship Certificates and application procedures. More
The Michael S. Lawton Environmental Scholarship presented by The Foundation for Long Island State Parks will accept applications for the 2011 summer season in the Fall of 2010. Undergraduate college students studying environmental sciences, environmental education, or related fields are eligible for this scholarship, which includes an environmental studies internship in central Long Island. Directions and an application will be posted in the Fall, when they are released by the sponsor.
Looking for fun and interesting things to see and do on the South Shore? Check out the new Explore the South Shore website. Its time to get out there!
Long Island Traditions has announced the launch of the "South Shore portal" web site. The site examines the cultural history and contemporary traditions of Long Island's south shore estuary, stretching from Atlantic Beach to Hampton Bays. Learn about the maritime architecture, ranging from bay houses and bungalows to boatyards and hotels. See what is in your home town. Listen to stories of hurricanes and rum runners. Learn how to document your community's cultural resources. Add your own story to the memories page. And learn what baymen do for a living. All this and more! Just click here And share your thoughts.
The most recent issue of Seagrass.LI is available here. The newsletter describes recent efforts to restore eelgrass in the waters surrounding Long Island, including the Reserve. Check it out!
The New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA,) under a grant from the Environmental Resource Management (ERM) Group Foundation and in cooperation with the SSER office would like to assist classes or groups in getting started with stewardship activities in the reserve. More

Learn about rivers and streams in the Reserve: Visit the Reserve Tributaries page!

We would like to help you reach more people!
If you are an historic or environmental resource relevant to the South Shore Estuary, add your name to our Directory of Educational Resources! More

Looking for a chance to get involved in the Reserve? Want to let others know of ways to get involved?
Check out the Stewardship Opportunities page!

UPCOMING
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
in the
RESERVE

Observe Seals in the South Shore Estuary Reserve! Coastal Research & Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI) - Upcoming Seal Walks at Cupsogue Beach County Park, Westhampton Beach
Schedule and Details

Riverhead Foundation boat trips out of Freeport to observe seals
Schedule and Details

Activities for
tots, children, families & adults
T. Roosevelt Nature Center at Jones Beach
516-679-7254

I Fish NY
Programs for
children & adults
Details
631-444-0283

Programs at Fire Island National Seashore
Nature, history, and more at Fire Island National Seashore.
Details

Boating Safety Courses Offered on South Shore Bays
For more information, visit the Safe Boating America and Association of Marine Industries websites.

South Shore Estuary Reserve Office
300 Woodcleft Avenue • Freeport, New York 11520 • Phone: (516) 470-BAYS • Fax: (516) 378-2879 • sser@dos.state.ny.us