Saving the Forge River

An Unhealthy River

Having been alerted to proposed new developments likely to impact the headwaters of the Forge River, Peconic Baykeeper began keeping an eye on the health of the river this spring. In mid-June, community members living on and near the Forge River, which runs between Mastic and Moriches, saw and smelled significant changes in the river and alerted local and state officials. On June 17 Peconic Baykeeper Kevin McAllister navigated the patrol boat up the Forge, noting the foul sewage-like odor and cloudy, grayish water and observing dead fish and crabs floating near the east side of the river. Kevin measured dissolved oxygen levels, both at the surface and several feet underwater, and measured the turbidity, or cloudiness, of the water. Dissolved oxygen levels were extremely low -- insufficient to support most marine life -- and turbidity levels were extremely high.

Kevin called the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to report the problem and his on-site measurements, then went ashore to speak with residents and find out how long they had been observing such conditions. On repeated trips up the river over the next several days, Kevin observed similar conditions, prompting an investigation and further testing by Suffolk County and DEC.

Community Involvement

The Forge River Boat Club hosted a meeting for local residents and officials on July 13 to discuss the conditions in the river and record observations about declines in water quality. Peconic Baykeeper Kevin McAllister spoke about the conditions he observed, urging residents "don't settle for half a river, get this river back to where it was 25 years ago."

State and local officials agree that over-development along the banks of the Forge River is a contributing cause to the river's ills. A press conference on August 2 co-sponsored by Peconic Baykeeper called for overturning the zoning changes that allowed the proposed retirement community development at the headwaters to be permitted. This fall Peconic Baykeeper submitted paperwork to the DEC advocating that the entire river should be designated as impaired waters, making it eligible for federal Clean Water Act protection and funding.

Kevin has trained a group of volunteers from Moriches to test the Forge's waters to help establish a baseline for measuring the future health of the river. Contributions from the community to support testing were matched one-to-one with funds from the Long Island Community Foundation. Read more about these efforts.

To help get the Forge River back to where it was 25 years ago -- a healthy, productive home for fish and wildlife -- read more about the issue, find out how to get more involved in saving the Forge River, and become a member of Peconic Baykeeper.