Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP)NewsletterFebruary 2018Visit NYSDEC’s LINAP webpage for more information about LINAP, past newsletters, This issue’s topics:• Events EventsDepartment of Environmental Conservation & the Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District Erosion and Sediment Control TrainingThe Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a NYSDEC endorsed 4- hour erosion and sediment control training on Tuesday, March 27th, 2018, at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804 from 10:30am-3:30pm (check in 10:00am). Registration information and forms can be found on the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District website. Suffolk County Water Quality Improvement District Feasibility StudySuffolk County, in partnership with the Long Island Regional Planning Council and the Department of Environmental Conservation, will be releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the evaluation of technical and financial implications of a Countywide Water Quality Improvement District in Suffolk County. The establishment of a countywide district is identified as an early action item in the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) and will be funded by the LINAP grant. Suffolk County and its partners and consultants will be identifying and prioritizing watersheds where nitrogen reductions would be most beneficial to groundwater and surface water quality. This initiative will determine the locations where sewers and advanced onsite treatment systems are needed to improve water quality and the health of the bays, as well as supporting local economies, and protecting public health. A countywide water quality district has been suggested as a financing and management strategy to implement these actions. A single district is an approach that recognizes that broader participation in resolving the problem is needed. The RFP will call for the preparation of an in-depth analysis of the establishment and operation of a single water quality district that is equitable and sustainable. Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District Grant ProjectsThe Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District (NCSWCD) received a $67,479 grant from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund for their Planting for Clean Water Communities project. With this funding, NCSWCD will bring green infrastructure to community centers, local parks, schools and businesses in the Village of Bayville. The project will create a model for future projects in this and other communities surrounding the Long Island Sound. The NCSWCD also received a grant from the New York Southern Pine Beetle Community Recovery Grant Program. With this funding, NCSWCD will work to eradicate and monitor for southern pine beetles in the Massapequa Preserve, saving many of the Preserve’s pine trees, while fostering community involvement through workshops and outreach. This project will add to many other Preserve projects, including the fish ladder installed by Seatuck Environmental Association, and the removal of the invasive aquatic water chestnut by the Nassau County Department of Public Works. Long Island Regional Planning CouncilThe Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) launched its new website. This new website disseminates information about the Council’s completed and ongoing work across the Long Island region, including economic development, energy, social equity, housing, taxation, transportation, and the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan. The website is a resource on these and other key issues for Long Island officials, stakeholders and residents. |