Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) – October Newsletter

This Month’s Topics:

• Long Island Regional Planning Council and the Suffolk County Legislature Approve Funding for Countywide Water Quality Improvement District Study
• LINAP Program Manager and Program Consultant
• Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative
• South Shore Estuary Reserve Stewardship Awards

Long Island Regional Planning Council and the Suffolk County Legislature Approve Funding for Countywide Water Quality Improvement District Study

On October 2nd, 2018, a resolution was passed unanimously by the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) to fund a Suffolk County Water Quality Improvement District (WQID) feasibility study, identified as an early action item in the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP). The Suffolk County legislature has approved the acceptance of the funds.

With the funding approved, Suffolk County, in partnership with the LIRPC and the Department of Environmental Conservation, will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the evaluation of the technical and financial implications of a Countywide Water Quality Improvement District. 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.

Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan Program Manager and Program Consultant

Kyle Rabin has been hired as the new Program Manager for the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan. Kyle brings two decades of professional experience in the areas of watershed and water quality protection, public policy, organizational strategic planning, program management, and community, media and government relations to the position.  As Program Manager, Kyle will provide overall program coordination, administration and planning for LINAP and will help develop and implement initiatives that will reduce nitrogen loads from stormwater, fertilizer, and wastewater.

David Berg, who successfully served as Program Manager for more than two years will be taking on the new role of Program Consultant for the LINAP.  As Program Consultant, David will utilize his experience and expertise in aquaculture to oversee the advancement of the Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative, which is assessing the efficacy of, and potential challenges involved in, advancing seaweed and shellfish aquaculture to remove excessive nitrogen loads. (See Below) David will also continue to co-lead the Fertilizer Workgroup Initiative with NYSDEC.

Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative

The Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative is a project of the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, in collaboration with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Long Island Regional Planning Council with funding from the EPA’s Long Island Sound Study program.

The goal of the Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative is to improve water quality in NY and CT marine waters by removing excess nitrogen through the cultivation and harvest of seaweed and shellfish. The Initiative will provide information to help decision makers with the guidelines needed to facilitate seaweed and shellfish farming and harvest operations in their coastal waters by:

• Assessing the siting, cultivation and marketing challenges facing seaweed and shellfish bioextraction and its effectiveness in reducing nitrogen loads in NY and CT surface waters;
• Reviewing and reporting on literature, permits, and policies; and providing recommendations to streamline the regulatory process;
• Developing a GIS-based tool to identify potential seaweed and shellfish aquaculture sites for bioextraction;
• Creating an interconnected workgroup of professionals and stakeholders that will work towards advancing bioextraction.

Information about the Initiative can be found on the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) Nutrient Bioextraction webpage which is continually updated and includes a public fact sheet.

South Shore Estuary Reserve Council Stewardship Award Ceremony

The South Shore Estuary Reserve Council Stewardship Awards were presented to Scott Bochner, an advocate who played a role in educating the community on the importance of upgrading the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant and relocating the outfall pipe to the ocean outfall at the Cedar Creek Sewage Treatment Plant and George and Richard Remmer, owners of The Snapper Inn and Marina for their contributions to preserve and protect the South Shore Estuary Reserve.  The Career Milestone Award was given to Charles deQuillfeldt, New York State Department of Environment Conservation, for his 30 plus years working with and supporting the South Shore Estuary Reserve.