The Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) is inviting proposals for the development of a comprehensive Watershed Action Plan for the Connetquot River Estuary.
The Connetquot River, spanning over 18 square miles on Long Island, is a vital ecosystem that flows into the Great South Bay. Renowned for its historical significance in fly fishing and surrounded by extensive state and local parklands, including Connetquot State Park Preserve and Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park, the river supports tourism, recreation, and a waterfront economy.
Despite significant protection through open space acquisitions by New York State, Suffolk County, and the Town of Islip, the river faces impairments such as hypoxia, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and high coliform bacteria levels.
The creation of a Watershed Action Plan will present priorities and potential projects that will help restore the Connetquot River estuary and its waterfront to a fully functioning recreational, shell fishing and fishing space, improving water quality and restoring the waterfront economy.
The RFP and appendices can be downloaded here.
Proposals will be received until 4:00 p.m. on September 22, 2025.
Requests for information pertinent to the preparation and submission of proposals are to be emailed to: Elizabeth Cole, Deputy Executive Director, ecole@lirpc.org no later than September 15, 2025. Responses to inquiries will be posted on the LIRPC website within 5 business days of receipt of the inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will DOS be funding/involved in this project? DOS is not funding this project.
Is there an established budget for this project? The budget will be determined through the RFP process.
How was the watershed boundary established? The boundary was developed in consultation with the County.
Should it be assumed that a pre-established boundary will be the basis of the Watershed Action Plan? Further refinement could occur in the future with the Watershed Advisory Committee.
Have drainage outfalls and connecting infrastructure (drainage piping, leaching structures, recharge basins, etc.) been mapped within the watershed? If so, will this data be available for the Watershed Action Plan in a GIS or other format? It is unknown. This requires additional consultation to confirm data availability. Proposers should note assumptions that are used to develop cost estimates.
The RFP outlines a Project Approach Coordination Meeting and two public meetings. It is suggested there is scope/budget for meetings with the Watershed Advisory Committee, County, LIRPC and DOS (if involved) routinely and at critical milestones. Please confirm these additional suggested meetings should be outlined in the scope of work/cost, separate from the coordination meeting and public meetings. Separate out the tasks as requested in the RFP.
