Established a vessel sewage No-Discharge Zone for the
Peconic and South Shore estuaries.
Identified the presence of toxic batteries at several
sites on the bay bottom, previously discarded by the U.S. Coast Guard.
This investigation led to a Coast Guard clean-up, and a commitment to
restore any other similar dump sites found in area waters.
Compelled Suffolk County government to perform an
Environmental Impact Study on the effects of mosquito control practices
that include spraying pesticides and ditch digging in wetlands. This
resulted in the introduction of legislation to vastly limit the use of the
pesticide Methoprene in Suffolk County's salt marshes, discontinue the
practice of ditching wetlands, and the greater public oversight of its
wetland management program.
Moved New York State to designate the Forge River as
“Impaired Waters”, an unfortunate distinction that is the catalyst for
corrective action.
Helped to save Crab Creek on Shelter Island from a plan
to drastically dredge the creek. Challenging this project saved one of the
Peconic Estuary's aesthetically pristine and biologically productive
shallow water creeks, preserving it for generations to come.
Provided technical expertise while serving on the
Suffolk County's Citizen Advisory Committee and Brookhaven National Lab's
Peconic River Working Group for the purpose of developing a comprehensive
clean-up plan for the removal of contamination in the Peconic River.
In coordination with Southampton Town, established a
hard clam spawner sanctuary in Scallop Pond, Southampton. The purpose of
which is to re-populate area waters with clams and to possibly serve as a
biological control to the onset of harmful algal blooms.
Successfully challenged the development of a
large-scale marina in Shinnecock Bay. Project approval would have led to
the destruction of nearly 5 acres of productive bay bottom and resulted in
water quality degradation, including shellfish closures from boat
discharges.
Introduced the concept of Bayscaping to the region.
Bayscaping incorporates progressive landscaping and property management
practices to enhance habitat values and benefit local water quality.
We have received regional recognition of Peconic
Baykeeper's environmental achievements from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Promote Long Island, Sierra Club,
Great South Bay Audubon, and South Fork Natural History Museum.
