THE LONG ISLAND SOUND STUDY

A Partnership to Restore and Protect the Sound
2002
Comprehensive
Conservation and
Management Plan
Implementation
Tracking Report
January-December 2002
THE
LONG
ISLAND
SOUND
STUDY
A Partnership to
Restore and Protect
the Sound
April 2003
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This Report is the product of the Long Island Sound Study partnership
of Federal, state, local and private agencies and organizations. The diversity of
the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Long Island Sound
increases the difficulty and complexity in obtaining the information and data
for this report. We wish to thank the states of Connecticut and New York for
their invaluable assistance in compiling the data for the report and in
coordinating their efforts with the many other state and local agencies and
organizations participating in the Study.
Index
Title
P a ge N umbe r
F ore word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About the 20 0 2 Re port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Ex e c utiv e S umma ry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
O VERVIEW , Continuing the Ma na ge me nt Confe re nc e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
M-1. Supporting Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
O VERVIEW , Elimina ting Adv e rs e Impa c ts of L ow D is s olv e d O x yge n
H-1. Reducing Nitrogen from STPs and Other Point Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H-2. Reducing Nitrogen Loads from Non-point Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H-3. Continuing Management of Hypoxia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H-4. Funding to Implement Hypoxia Management Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H-5. Monitoring and Assessment of Hypoxia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
in the S ound
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O VERVIEW , Controlling Ma j or S ourc e s of P a thoge ns . .
P-1. Combined Sewer Overflows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P-2. Nonpoint Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P-3. Sewage Treatment Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P-4. Vessel Discharges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P-5. Individual On-site Systems/Discharges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P-6. Controlling Pathogen Contamination through Public Education
P-7. Monitoring and Assessment of Pathogens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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O VERVIEW , P rote c ting the S ound from the Adv e rs e Effe c ts
T-1. Toxic Contaminant Source Controls and Pollution Prevention . . . . . . .
T-2. Addressing Sediment Contamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T-3. Improving Human Health Risk Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T-4. Monitoring and Assessment of Toxic Contaminants . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T-5. Research to Investigate Toxic Contamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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O VERVIEW , Re duc ing F loa ta ble D e bris in the S ound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
F-1. Controlling Floatable Debris from CSOs and Storm water Sewers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
F-2. Increasing Floatable Debris Cleanup Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
O VERVIEW , Ma na ging a nd Cons e rv ing L iv ing Re s ourc e s a nd The ir H a bita ts
L-1. Restoration and Enhancement of Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L-2. Habitat Protection and Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L-3. Inventories and Management Strategies for Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats . . . . . . . . . .
L-4. Managing Endangered and Threatened Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L-5. Managing Harvested Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L-6. Managing Exotic and Nuisance Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L-7. Educating the Public about the Plants and Animals of Long Island Sound . . . . . . . . . . . .
L-8. Developing an Informational Database about living Resources and their Habitats . . . . . .
L-9. Sound wide and Site-specific Research and Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L-10. Living Resources and Habitat Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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O VERVIEW , Ra is ing P ublic Awa re ne s s
E-1. Community Awareness and Stewardship .
E-2. Promoting Understanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E-3. Facilitating Public Participation . . . . . . . . .
E-4. Increase Communication and Cooperation
E-5. Enhance Education at All Levels . . . . . . . .
E-6. Secure Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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a nd P a rtic ipa tion
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O utre a c h41
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Appe ndix of CCMP Ac tions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
G los s a ry of Ac ronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1
Foreword
This 2002 report documents the eighth year
of implementation of the Long Island Sound
Study (LISS) Compreh ensive Conservation and
Management Plan (CCMP) for Long Island
Sound (LIS).
This Report summarizes the
continuing work of the LISS Management
Conference partners in carrying out the CCMP.
LISS Science & Technical Advisory
Committee (S TAC); and
LISS Citizens Advisory Commit tee (CAC).
Many other federal, state, municipal
academic, and local public and private
organizations contribute to implementation of
the CCMP. Am ong these are the:
The LISS Management Conference is
sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), and
the state of Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection (CT DEP). Additional
partners include:
U.S Geological Survey (USGS);
U.S. Department of Agr iculture’s
Cooperative Extension Service;
Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Aquaculture (CTDOA/BA);
Interstate Environmental Commission
(IEC);
New York and Connecticut state
Departments of Health;
U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish a nd
Wildlife S ervice (USF WS);
New England Interstate Water Pollution
Control Com mission;
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administrat ion (NOAA) Natio nal Marine
Fisheri es Service (N MFS);
University of Connecticut (UConn); and
State Uni versity of N ew York (S UNY).
New York City Department of
Environmental Protection (NY CDEP);
Together, these Federal, state, loc al,
academic, and citizen partners combine their
efforts to achieve the common CCMP vision for
the long-term h ealth, restorat ion, and economic
well-being of Long Island Sound, its watersheds
and tributaries, and living marine and marinedependent r esources.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural
Resource Conservation Service (NRCS);
New York State Department of State
(NYSDOS);
New York and C onnecticut Sea G rant
College programs;
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (AC OE);
1
About the 2002 Report
appropriate table in the CCMP for each priority
area.
U NDERSTANDING T HIS REPORT
This 2002 CCMP Im plementation Track ing
Report continues the simplified model first
piloted in the 2000 report. The report is
organized
into
seven
sections,
each
corresponding to the seven priority management
areas identified i n the CCMP:
The charts describe a ccomplishments and
actions planned for next year.
Appendix A-1
contains the entire set of 232 CCMP actions
indexed to the detailed charts in the report.
An Annual Snapshot of Progress
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Continuing the M anagement Conference;
Hypoxia;
Pathogen Contamination;
Toxic Substances;
Floatable Debris;
Management and Conservation of Living
Resources and Their Habitats; and
7) Public Invo lvement and Educatio n.
Because of the inherent long-term nature of
initiating and assessing the results of
environmental restoration and improvem ent
efforts, this report should be viewed as a oneyear snapshot of accomplishments against the
36 action areas identified in the CCM P.
Environmental Indicators
Each of these sections contains a brief
narrative
Overview
that
h i g h ligh t s
accomplishments
of
the
Management
Conference in that area in ca lendar year 2002.
The Overviews describe the environmental
results, trends or indicators of progress for the
CCMP priority area. This section attempts to
relate CCMP actions to real and m easurable
environmental progress. The program is striving
to improve its environment al indicators and
refine the relationships to management act ions
over time.
The LISS has developed a set of 43
environmental indicators for Long Island Sound,
with an ultimate goal of linking progress on the
CCMP to actual environmental improvements in
the Long Island So und ecosystem . In this way,
environmental results may be used in the future
to assess the effectiveness of CCMP actions,
and the Management Conference will be in a
better position to consider and adjust CCMP
plans, actions, and resources according to the
environmental results desi red or ac hieved. The
LISS environmental indicators are accessible on
the LISS website at:
http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis.
This report provides information in the 36
CCMP subcategories outlined in the Index to the
report. As in prior repor ts, the charts follo wing
each narrative section correspond to the
2
Executive Summary
the Sound from vessels.
egardless of how you use it or benefit
from it, 2002 may have been considered
a challenging year for th e Long Island
Sound estuary. An unusually rainy spring
was followed by a hot, dry, sunny summer. This
weather established condit ions conducive to the
formation of a persistent pycnocline that
combined with other factors to produce the
largest area of severe (<1mg/L O2) hypoxia -- 43
square miles -- that has been observed in the
western Sound since the ambient monitoring
program began sixteen years ago. Bottom water
temperatures reached as high as 72 degrees in
some locations in th e Sound in 2002.
R
each cleanup day in September 2002
netted more than 78,000 pounds of trash
removed from 59 sites in New York, and
3,827 pounds from more than 20 miles of
beaches in Connecticut.
A total of 2,500
volunteers from both states combined to
achieve th is excellent level of effort.
B
s for Long Island Sound water quality, the
LISS partners -- CTDEP, IEC, and
NYCDEP-- continued ambient monitor ing
in 2002
for
dissolved
oxygen,
temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, visibility, and
several other priority parameters. Based on the
March 2002 LIS water quality monitoring
conference, CTDEP mod ified the LISS ambient
monitoring program in Summer 2002 to target
priority stations in the western Sound at peak
hypoxic t imes.
A
he American lobster, Homarus americanus,
was again in the news i n 2002, struck by
another round of mortalities and a new
disease that has not been seen before in
the Sound or elsewhere. The disease, calcinosis,
affects the kidneys and gills, and is fatal in
severe cases. Its cause remains unknown as
yet, but scientists theorize that it may be related
to elevated water temperatures in the Sound.
Shell disease was also observed in the eastern
basin of the Sound, and over all juvenile
recruitment appears to be down.
As-yet
unexplained tidal wetlands losses, first noted by
Connecticut and New York environmental
managers in several key embayments in 2001,
remain a serious concern, and appear to be
continuing.
T
he total point source nitrogen load to the
Sound continued a 13 year declining trend
in 2002. The total 2002 load from New
York and Connecticut point sources is
estimated at 145,203 lbs/day, a decrease of
more than 67,500 lbs/day from the baseline.
This decrease is attributable to the states’
progress in bringing facilities online with
improved nitrogen controls, to the general
nitrogen discharge permit issued, and to the
nitrogen
credit
exchange
program
in
Connecticut.
.
n spite of the large area of severe hypoxia
observed in the western Sound, the maximum
areal extent of moderate (<3mg/L O2) hypoxia
in LIS in 2002 was less than the 16 year
mean, estimated at 130 square miles. The
overall duration of this hypoxic event was 64
days in 2002 compared with the 16 year
average of 57 days. Hypoxic conditions began
earlier than usual in 2002, on or about June 26,
and ended somewhat earlier than usual, on
August 28. The pycnocline began to set up on
or around June 16 in th e western Sound, and
began to break up around August 29, coinciding
with the hypoxic conditions observed in the
T
or Long Island Sound sunbathers,
beachgoers, and swimmers, the picture
looked better in 2002. There were fewer
beach closures overall in the Sound,
mostly due to the lack of rainy weather, which
normally prompts local health departments to
preemptively close beaches as a precaution
against bacteria infiltra tion from
nonpoint
source pollution r unoff. Additional d isinfective
controls on sewage plant discha rges, and
controls on floatable debris are reducing
contamination and pollution to the Sound from
those sources.
Four new vessel pumpout
stations were added in New York waters of LIS
in 2002, and four stations were added in
Connecticut for a total of 134 pumpouts
available to boaters on the Sound, further
reducing potential pathogen contamination to
F
I
3
and December 2002, welcoming seven
new organizational members. The CAC and its
diverse membership of 34 New York and
Connecticut LIS user groups, enviro nmental and
educational organizations,
and
industry
representatives are dedicated to the restoration
and protection of the Sound through
implementa tion of th e CCMP.
western Sound.
he states of Connecticut and New York
continued overall steady progress toward
the LISS goal of restoring 2000 acres of
habitat and reopening 100 miles of river
corridors to anadromous fish passage by 2008.
Since 1998, Connecticut and New Y ork have
restored 465 acres of habitat, treated or
retreated many acres of phragmites-infested
habitat, and restored 43.5 miles of river corridor
to anadromous fish passage by removing or
breaching dams, installing fishways or ladders or
otherwise improving stream bed conditions.
T
emand for information on the health of
the Sound continued to increase from
students, teachers, researchers, managers
and an interested public. LISS outreach
and education staff provided LIS displays at
annual public events, such as Earth Day,
National Estuaries Day, and LIS Days in
Connecticut and New York.
The outreach
program addressed scores o f teachers,
educators, school children, groups and classes;
issued LIS press releases and public service
announcements; gave several radio, televisio n,
and press interviews; and produced and
distributed many thousands of copies of its LIS
newsletters, fact sheets, publications, and
brochures covering timely and critical LIS
topics. Electronic visits to the LISS webpage
continued to increase, with more than 156,000
recorded “hit s” in 2002.
D
ong Island Sound priority research
projects initially funded in 2000 continued
in 2002, and research projects funded in
2001/2002 were initiated. There were
nine LIS research projects underway in 2002,
funded in cooperation w ith EPA, and with the
New York and Connecticut Sea Grant College
programs, which have annually contributed
funding to the LIS research program. Ongoing
research projects are studying wa ter column,
nutrient, phytoplankton or sediment dynamics,
factors affecting the distribution or abundance
trends of living marine resources, or other
innovative research, such as identifying new
approaches for assessing mutagenic risk of
contaminants in Long Island Sound, and
measuring isotope tracers of sewage inputs to
the Sound. Several 2000 research projects are
scheduled to conclude in 2003 and final reports
will be published by the principal investigators,
which will substantially contribute to the
knowledge base of the Long Island Sound
Study.
L
n December 2002, the Policy Committee met
and signed the Long Island Sound 2003
Agreement, which establishe s 30 measurable
environmental goals in CCMP priority areas
over the next five years. The Committee’s longrange vision is a healthy and restored Sound by
2014, the 400th anniversary of its initial
exploration by Dutch explorer Adriaen Blo ck.
I
early 400 years after Block’s exploration,
Long Island Sound has evolved into a
complex, intensely-used modern urban
estuarine ecosystem. Global, regio nal and
local weather patterns, combined with physical
characteristics of the Sound and anthropogenic
inputs can adversely affect living ma rine
resources and challenge the best management
efforts.
The Sound therefore requires
continuous monitoring, modeling, research , and
flexible management approaches to address
ongoing environmental problems and to identify
and respond to emerging i ssues, which may
affect the ability of the Sound to remain an
ecologically productive, economically important,
and aesthetically pleasing public natural
resource.
N
he Management Committee reorganized a
new Science and Technical Advisory
Committee (STAC) in 2002, to better
assess and recommend applied research
on priority areas to the Management Committee.
The STAC is composed of 28 volunteer
scientists, environmental managers, and agency
and industry professionals, which held its first
organizational meeting in November 2002. The
STAC developed its mission statement and
goals, and formed three subcommittees to focus
its initial efforts on eutrophication, submerged
aquatic vegetation, and the fo od web.
T
T
he Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)
met in January, March, June, September,
4
Continuing the Management Conference
Imple me nting the CCMP is the c ombine d re s pons ibility of the Ma na ge me nt Confe re nc e
pa rtne rs . Through the ir ongoing progra ms a nd da y-to-da y progra m ope ra tions , a nd
through fe de ra l, s ta te , loc a l, a nd priv a te L IS funding initia tiv e s a nd a c tiv itie s , CCMP
prioritie s a re a s s e s s e d, imple me nte d, a nd re porte d.
CCMP Strate gy:
An essential element of the Long Island Sound S tudy strategy to implement the CCMP was
to continue the Manageme nt Conference partnership in carrying out the plan to restore and protect
the Sound. The states and EPA signe d L IS Agreements in 1994, 1996, and 2003, formally committing
EPA and the s tates to the Management Conference partnership as the primary means of
implementing the CCMP.
Most of the original thirteen CCMP actions to address this s tra te gy
continue to be key to the viability of the LISS partnership.
F e deral legislation in 1990 created the
EPA Long Island Sound Office to bridge the bi-state, multi-agency, public/priva te e fforts to restore
and protect the Sound.
In 2000 Congress reauthorized the LISS through 2005 and increased its
authorization of appropriations to $40 million annually for CCMP implementation through passage
of the Long Island Sound Restoration Act, Title IV of Public Law 106-457.
2002 Highlights:
‘
Congress appropriated $6.022 million for the
LISS in 2002 unde r CWA §119; EPA
included $477,400 in its 2002 budget for
the LISS; and EPA allocated $510,000 of
National Estua ry Program funds under CWA
§320 for LIS for a total program of $7.01
million.
‘
The s ta tes used FY2002 LISS federal
appropriations of $2.0 million each to assist
distressed communities in Connecticut in
de v e loping plans to upgrade STPs for
nitrogen control and in New York for CCMP
implementa tion
proj e c ts and to assist
communities in project planning.
‘
‘
Committee forme d
a
new Science and
Technic a l
Adv is ory
Committee (STAC)
c ompos e d
of
28
v olunteer scientis ts ,
engineers, managers and educators to assist
the
ma nagement committee in decisionma king.
The STAC he ld
its
firs t
organizational meeting in November 2002,
establishing its mission, goals and objectives.
The Policy Committee met on Decembe r 4,
2002 and signed the L ong Island Sound
200 3
Agre e me nt,
whic h
e nvisions a
restored and healthy Sound by 20 14.
The
Agreement sets 30 measurable goals with
time frames to address water
qua lity,
habitat, living marine resources and other
CCMP priority areas over the next five
years.
The
Ma na gement
Committee
met
in
January, April, July, and Oc tober 2002. The
5
‘
The Management Committee continued its
commitment to fund applied research on the
Sound, providing a total of $471,000 for LIS
research grants in
20 0 1/20 0 2.
The
Connecticut and New York Sea Grant Colle ge
Program partners each contribute d $25,000
for research in 2002.
‘
The
LISS
Citizens
Advisory
Committee
( CAC) met in January,
Ma rc h,
June ,
S e ptember, and December 2002.
The CAC
welcomed seven new organizational members
in 2002, and also saw Audubon New York
Executive Director D a vid Miller step down as
New York CAC co-chair after serv ing for 13
years.
Nancy Seligson, a long-time CAC
member was elected as the new CAC New
York co-chair.
S UMMARY OF CCMP MANAGEMENT ACTIONS :
CONTINUING THE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
M-1. SUPPORTING IMPLEMENTATION (CCMP TABLE 50, P. 141)
Key Elements: The CCMP committed the LISS to formally extend the Management Conference to guide CCMP
implementation, and to continue its Citizens Advisory Committee as an integral part of the conference. The plan also
called for the EPA LISO to continue and expand its efforts to coordinate among Management Conference participants in
support of CCMP implementation by providing funding and staffing, conducting education, outreach, monitoring, and
data management, and ensuring consistency with other federal and state goals and policies.
Description
2003 Planned Action
EPA and Congress continued to provide Federal funding for the LISS in FY2002 under Clean Water Act Sections 119 and
320. T he LISS program budget in 2002 was $7.01million. $4.0 million of that appropriation is to support LIS CCMP
implementation projects, including assistance to distressed communities in Connecticut for ST P upgrade planning.
T he FY2003 President’s Budget for
EPA included a line item of $477,000 for
the LISO, with Congress earmarking an
additional $2.022 million and $3.6
million in EPA appropriations for LIS.
LIS NEP funds totaled $510,000.
T he Policy Committee met in Norwalk on December 4, 2002 and signed the Long Island Sound 2003 Agreement, which
sets 30 environmental goals in CCMP priority areas over the next 5-10 years.
Begin implementation of the Agreement
in FY2003.
T he LISS continued to provide funds for state program coordination and involvement and for the LISS public outreach and
education, habitat restoration, and NY NEMO programs. In 2002, the LISS provided funding for two Long Island Sound
Fellows to assist the research and scientific mission of the program.
Continue support as funding allows.
T he Management Committee met quarterly in January, April, July and October 2002. A new Science and T echnical
Advisory Committee (ST AC) was organized with 28 scientists, engineers, managers and academics volunteering to
participate. T he new ST AC held its first organizational meeting in November 2002, developing its mission, goals and
objectives and agreeing to form subcommittees for the food web, eutrophication, and hypoxia. T he ST AC agreed to
include a CAC representative and alternate on the committee.
T he Committee will continue to meet in
2003 to address issues of concern to
LIS.
T he Citizens Advisory Committee met in January, March, June, September, and December 2002. T he CAC followed up
on its 2002/2003 priorities it presented to the Policy Committee in June 2002, advocating for development of a LIS
stewardship system; continued research funding; continued state efforts to implement the nitrogen T MDL and habitat
restoration strategy; and increased emphasis on toxics reductions. T he CAC continued to advocate support for Federal
appropriations for the LISS and for continued NEP funding for LISS under CWA Section 320. T he CAC added seven new
organizational members in 2002: the Sound School; the Connecticut Maritime Coalition; the Empire State Marine T rades
Association; the Nassau County Dept. of Public Works; the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County; the
Connecticut Coastal Audubon Center and the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. T he EPA NEP program provided the
services of a trained facilitator at the January and March 2002 meetings to assist the CAC in developing a strategic vision
over the next five years and to develop work plans for its subcommittees.
T he CAC will continue to increase its
representation and advocate for the full
$40 million appropriation for the LISS.
T he Implementation T eam met in January, March, July and September to support the work of the management conference
partners. T he team developed management committee meeting agendas and recommended budget and work plan funding
priorities in 2002.
T he T eam will continue to meet as
scheduled in 2003.
T he EPA LISO continued to coordinate the efforts of the Management and Citizens Advisory Committees, and the new
Science and T echnical Advisory Committee. T he LISO continued to support implementation efforts of LISS work groups,
including the Nutrients Work Group, the Connecticut River T eam, Habitat Restoration T eam, Implementation T eam, and
Dredging EIS Work Group. Ad hoc meetings were also held to discuss nonpoint source issues and whether to establish
a permanent work group to oversee and guide the work. T he LISO continued coordination of the management conference,
development of the annual budget and work plan, the LISS research agenda and RFP.
T he LISO will continue to support
implementation of the CCMP and the
Management Conference partners.
6
Eliminating Adverse Impacts of Low Dissolved
Oxygen in the Sound
The Long Island Sound Study identified low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) as the most significant
water quality problem in LIS affecting critical life cycles of living marine resources. Since 1990,
EPA and the states of Connecticut and New York have implemented a phased program to reduce
human-caused nitrogen loads to LIS and improve dissolved oxygen levels to meet water quality
standards.
CCMP Strategy:
The CCMP identifies a five-part strategy to address the elimination of adverse impacts of low
dissolved oxygen on the aquatic habitat and living marine resources of the Sound by: 1) reducing
nitrogen from sewage treatment plants (STPs) and other point sources; 2) reducing nitrogen loads
from nonpoint sources; 3) continuing the management of hypoxia; 4) funding implementation of
hypoxia management plans; and 5) monitoring and assessing hypoxic conditions in the Sound.
Environmental Indicators/Results/Trends
Total point source nitrogen loads to the Sound continued to decline in 2002 as the states
upgraded their treatment plants to control nitrogen under the TMDL. While global climate change,
regional weather conditions, and the hydro geography and hydrology of the Sound influence
conditions for hypoxia, the trends in the maximum areal extent and duration of hypoxia have also
been declining over the last 16 years. Summer hypoxia is still a significant impairment to water
quality and continues to affect critical life cycles of living marine resources. Developing the ability
to directly link declining nitrogen loads to water quality improvements and to changes in living
marine resource juvenile recruitment and survival rates is a continuing goal of the program.
Determining the relationship of global climate conditions and regional weather events to Long Island
Sound water quality conditions and effects on living resources and habitat will continue to be a
significant management challenge.
2002 Highlights:
‘ The estimated nitrogen load from STPs in
57 days. Hypoxic conditions began on or
about June 26, ending around August 28.
Figures 2 and 3 show the trend in the areal
extent and duration of hypoxia in LIS since
1987.
the LIS drainage basin that entered the LIS
in 2002 is approximately 145,203 lbs/day, a
decrease of more than 67,500 lbs/day from
base year levels. As of December 2002,
New York’s 2002 point source nitrogen load
was 106,481 lbs/day, compared with 111,574
lbs/day in 2001. As of December 2002,
Connecticut’s 2002 point source nitrogen
loading was 38,722 lbs/day compared with
41,232 lbs/day in 2001. Figure 1 shows the
total point source nitrogen load and trends in
New York and Connecticut since 1990.
‘ The states of New York and Connecticut
‘ In 2002, the maximum area and duration of
continued actions to implement the nitrogen
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in 2002.
The TMDL establishes a 58.5 percent
reduction in nitrogen loads to the Sound over
a fifteen-year period ending in 2014. As of
December 2002, the point source nitrogen
load to LIS has been reduced by 26 percent
from the base.
dissolved oxygen (DO) levels less than 3
mg/l observed in LIS was 130 mi2 and 64
days. The 16 year averages are 197 mi2 and
‘ New York City entered into an historic
7
standards, saving funds that would otherwise
be necessary for capital upgrades for nitrogen
control at all plants.
Consent Agreement with the state of New York
and EPA to upgrade its four upper East River
STPs for nitrogen control and upgrade
secondary treatment at the Newtown Creek
facility. The City will invest $1.4 billion in capital
improvements at these facilities over the next
five years, reducing the nitrogen load to LIS
from these NY sources.
‘ In 2002 the USGS Connecticut office
completed and published a LISS-funded report
presenting estimates of nonpoint source
nitrogen loads entering Long Island Sound,
Estimation of Nitrogen Yields and Loads from
Basins Draining to Long Island Sound, 1988-98
(Mullaney, Schwarz, Todd Trench). Monitoring
data on total nitrogen concentrations and
stream flow were used to estimate annual
nonpoint nitrogen loads for 1988-98 at 28
monitoring sites and 26 unmonitored basins
that drain to LIS.
‘ Connecticut formally adopted a General
Permit for Nitrogen Discharges in January
2002. Under Connecticut Public Act 01-180,
the state established a Nitrogen Credit
Exchange program that allows the 79
participating municipal STPs to trade
nitrogen credits to meet water quality
Figure 1
8
Figure 2
Hypoxia= <3mg/l DO
Figure 3
9
S UMMARY OF CCMP MANAGEMENT ACTIONS :
HYPOXIA
H-1. REDUCING NITROGEN FROM SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS AND OTHER POINT SOURCES (CCMP TABLE 4, P. 32)
Key Elements: The states of Connecticut and New York committed to reducing nitrogen loads throughout the Long Island
Sound basin using a mixed approach of retrofits, pilot studies and upgrades under existing permitting authorities. With
adoption of the TMDL, state requirements to remove nitrogen loads has been formalized and expanded well beyond the
commitments specified in the CCMP. Prior to TMDL adoption in April 2001, the states had used a variety of legal, voluntary,
and funding mechanisms to promote nitrogen removal from point sources, with considerable success.
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he total estimated point source load to LIS in 2002 was 145,203 lbs/day, a decrease of more than 67,500 lbs/day from base
levels. New York loads totaled 106,481lbs/day compared with 111,547 lbs/day in 2001; Connecticut loads totaled 38,722
lbs/day compared with 41,232 lbs/day in 2001. T he total reduction as of December 2002 was 32 percent below baseline
levels and was 54 percent of the total nitrogen reduction goal of 58.5 percent by 2014.
Continued emphasis on achieving T MDL
point source nitrogen reduction targets.
In Connecticut as of December 2002, 27 municipal sewage treatment plants have completed upgrades including nitrogen
removal at a cost of more than $340 million. Five municipal ST Ps currently have initiated more than $118 million of
upgrades including nitrogen removal – Bridgeport East and West; Jewett City, Litchfield; and Stamford – all under
construction in 2002. Five municipal ST Ps have begun designs for upgrades including nutrient removal at costs totaling
over $55 million – Bristol; Cheshire; Groton; North Haven; and Simsbury.
Continue to assist municipalities with
upgrades to ST Ps. Implement the
General Permit for Nitrogen Discharges
and the Nitrogen Credit Exchange with
the first trade based on 2002 monitoring.
New York City continued a program for Advanced Wastewater T reatment Management that established procedures for
operating the City's Water Pollution Control Plants (WPCP) during wet weather during construction projects to maximize
nutrient removals. T he program also identifies new technologies for nutrient treatment.
Continue program in 2003.
On April 22, 2002, the NYSDEC and NYCDEP entered into a consent order to require NYCDEP to design, construct and
operate BNR facilities to comply with the Long Island Sound T MDL for nitrogen. T he Consent Order also requires NYC
to achieve secondary treatment at Newtown Creek by the end of 2007, instead of 2010. T o date, NYCDEP has submitted the
Applied Research Summary Report and the BNR Facility Plan in compliance with the order. During 2002 New York City
had construction ongoing at its East River Water Pollution Control Plants (WPCPs) which will lead to the attainment of the
5-year nitrogen reduction targets associated with the T MDL in 2009.
Continue construction.
NYSDEC has modified the 14 SPDES permits for the Water Pollution Control Plants (WPCPs) in New York City. T he six
facilities that discharge to the East River have permit effluent limits consistent with the Long Island Sound T MDL for
nitrogen. T he permits were public noticed on June 26, 2002 and the comment period ended on September 27, 2002. As of
December 2002, the NYSDEC and NYCDEP are meeting on a regular basis to resolve technical issues.
T he NYSDEC goal is to issue final
permits by April 1, 2003.
T he SPDES permits for the four WPCPs in Westchester County have been modified and submitted to EPA for review. T he
draft permits have permit limits consistent with the Long Island Sound T MDL for nitrogen.
T he NYSDEC goal is to publish the draft
permits by March 31, 2003 and work
through the public notice process.
T he NYSDEC has sent a notice of intent to modify permits and SPDES applications to the eleven major WPCPs in Nassau
and Suffolk County.
T he NYSDEC goal is to have draft
permits with permit limits consistent with
the Long Island Sound T MDL for public
notice and comment by September 1,
2003.
In December 2002 New York State announced $12.5M in state funding to assist five local communities in protecting and
improving water quality in Long Island Sound through improvements to their water pollution control plants: Village of
Greenport; Suffolk County; Belgrave Water Pollution Control District; Port Washington Water Pollution Control District;
and Great Neck Water Pollution Control District.
Continue to promote facility upgrades
through state revolving funds and LIS
Bond issue.
10
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he Act Concerning Nitrogen Reduction in Long Island Sound that was signed into law in 2001 gave CT DEP authority to
establish a General Permit for Nitrogen Discharges and set up a Nitrogen Credit Exchange Program. T he General
Permit was implemented in 2002 and the first year of data has been collected from the 79 participating ST Ps. T hese
numbers are being reviewed by the Nitrogen Credit Advisory Board to determine the first year’s credit exchange cost of
credits and collect and distribute monies for the purchase and sale of credits.
Institute the first year of Nitrogen Credit
Exchange collection and payments by
August 2003 based on 2002 monitoring.
H-2. REDUCING NITROGEN LOADS FROM NONPOINT SOURCES (CCMP TABLE 5, P.34)
Key Elements: The states of Connecticut and New York have broad authorities to manage nonpoint sources of pollution and
have agreed in the CCMP to emphasize control of nitrogen in ongoing state and federal programs. These include state
nonpoint source programs (CWA §319), the coastal n o n p o i n t s ource control program (CZARA §6217), and stormwater
permitting programs. Most of the site specific studies and activities identified in the CCMP have been completed. The states
have committed to using nonpoint source control programs to begin the difficult task of reducing nonpoint sources of
nitrogen and anticipate continuing those efforts as the primary means to meet the reduction goal specified in the TMDL upon
adoption. In addition to the regulatory and funding programs, the states have made commitments to promote essential
technical assistance and training programs through NRCS and NEMO as well as agency watershed and nonpoint programs
that have become widespread since development of the CCMP.
Description
2003 Planned Action
Currently CT DEP is implementing 102 active §319 projects from FY96-2002 grants. T hirty-two new projects were funded
under §319 in 2002 totaling $2,622,858 including match, and 25 projects were closed out in 2002 totaling $1,502,978 in
§319 funds.
Continue to emphasize LIS nitrogen
control in the §319 grant process.
CT DEP was awarded a $447,400 grant by the Bond Commission for the construction of sanitary sewers at Harkness
Memorial State Park to connect into the Waterford municipal sewer system. T his will replace the existing septic system
providing a long-term solution to wastewater disposal issues at the park, ensuring more reliable treatment, and eliminating
a nonpoint source of pollution.
New York State proposed a General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in January 2003.
Localities need to file Notice of Intent by
March 2003 to be covered under the
permit.
In New York, Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grants totaling $9.6M have been provided to nine municipalities for projects
that will control nonpoint sources and reduce nitrogen loads: T own of Brookhaven; T own of Huntington;
Village of Huntington Bay; Village of Lloyd Harbor; Village of Nissequogue; T own of Southold; City of Rye; and New York
City.
Continue to use Bond Act funds to
promote nonpoint source and storm
water nitrogen control projects.
In 2001, the Suffolk County Department of Health, with funding support from NYS DEC began preparation of a Suffolk
County Watershed Management Plan for Suffolk County (Zone 11). Due to fiscal constraints the project was delayed and a
revision to the “Contract for State Assistance for Water Quality Management” was issued in 2001.
T he final plan is currently projected to be
completed in 2003.
T he Norwalk River Watershed Advisory Committee continued implementation of the Norwalk River Watershed Action Plan.
T he Committee is composed of representatives from NRCS, CT DEP, the seven watershed communities, several citizen
groups, and area residents. From FY98-02, EPA awarded $471,371 in CWA§319 funds to support high priority
implementation activities, including funding the watershed coordinator position, riparian buffer restoration, stormwater
management, road sand/salt reduction, and septic system outreach and education.
Continue to address issues in the
watershed.
In 2002, CT DEP completed regulations implementing Executive Order No. 19 to reduce NOx emissions from more than 60
point sources by nearly 30% by 2003.
In 2003 full implementation of the
regulations will result in the reduction of
nitrogen oxide emission by nearly 3,550
tons per year.
11
Description
2003 Planned Action
In July 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a LISS-funded report entitled Estimates of Nitrogen Yields and
Loads from Basins Draining to Long Island Sound 1988-98. T he report describes total nitrogen loads at 28 monitoring
stations from 1988-98, and a method for determining nonpoint nitrogen loads from monitored and unmonitored basins
draining to Long Island Sound from the north. USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4044 by Mullaney, J.R.,
Schwarz, G.E., and T rench, E.C.T . http://ct.water.usgs.gov/pubs.html
Other USGS reports released in 2002 included:
Trends in Surface-Water Quality in Connecticut, 1989-98: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources
Investigations Report 02-4012 by Colombo, M.J. and T rench, E.C.T .
Water-Quality Trend Analysis and Sampling Design for Streams in Connecticut, 1968-98,: U.S. Geological Survey WaterResources Investigations Report 02-4011 by Colombo, by T rench, E.C.T ., and Vecchia, V.A.
In summer 2002, USGS began a study of the groundwater loading of nitrogen to the Broad Brook watershed in northcentral Connecticut. T his study is a project to demonstrate the importance of the ground-water component of nitrogen
loads, and the implications for nitrogen management.
T he USGS is completing a study of nutrient and algal dynamics in the T hames River Basin.
In June 2002 Westchester County completed a project to monitor two of the county’s largest tributaries to LIS –
Mamaroneck River and Blind Brook. Information on the County’s LIS watershed efforts may be found on their web page at:
http://www.westchestergov.com/planning.
State and federal grants, with Westchester County and municipal matching funds, have been allocated to implement
recommended restoration and water quality improvement projects along the Sheldrake River. Recommendations made by
the Watershed Advisory Committee 4 plan also are being implemented by municipalities as part of their compliance with the
Storm Water Phase II Final Rule.
It is expected that this report will be
available in 2003.
In March 2003, the Westchester County
Department of Planning, along with 11
municipalities, under the auspices of
Watershed Advisory Committee 7, will
begin developing a watershed
management plan to control polluted
stormwater in the Bronx River and
Grassy Sprain watersheds. T he plan will
recommend actions to control nonpoint
source pollution via municipal
ordinances and comprehensive plans,
streams and wetlands, stormwater
management practices, and outreach
and education. T he plan is tentatively
scheduled to be completed in 2005.
H-3. CONTINUING MANAGEMENT OF HYPOXIA (CCMP TABLE 6, P. 39)
Key Elements: The actions specified in the CCMP primarily reference research, monitoring and modeling activities and the
use of that information and those tools to improve understanding and management of hypoxia in the Sound. Much progress
has been made in this area to provide the scientific basis for the TMDL and the TMDL specifies the implementation steps
recommended in the CCMP to control hypoxia. Finally, the action to continue appropriate modeling and research and
periodically review management plans is central to the adaptive management approach promoted in the TMDL.
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he states of New York and Connecticut continued to implement the LIS nitrogen T MDL through a comprehensive adaptive
management strategy to reduce nitrogen loads, assess effects and improve estimates of loading. T he state of Connecticut
implemented a Nitrogen General Permit in January 2002, setting waste load allocations for 79 municipal treatment plants.
Continue implementation of the T MDL
through the General Permit program and
Nitrogen Credit Exchange program in
Connecticut.
EPA, through the System Wide Nutrient Workgroup, has initiated application of the System Wide Eutrophication Model
(SWEM) for purposes of forecasting progress on attainment of future management goals and for better understanding of
the relationship between nutrient sources and hypoxia as previously calculated using the LIS3.0 model.
Continue to conduct model simulations
and analyze model outputs
12
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he LISS Systemwide Nutrient Work Group, in connection with the Harbor Estuary Program, began applying SWEM in
2002. A 24-month baseline simulation was run in December 2002.
Continue to apply the SWEM to analyze
hypoxia and eutrophication in the Sound.
NYSDEC has prepared a proposal for revising the state’s Marine DO standards that is undergoing internal review.
NYSDEC expects to public notice the
proposed revision of the Marine DO
standards in 2003. IEC will review the
approaches used in CT , NY and NJ
before revising its DO standards.
EPA continued to support NEIWPCC to coordinate a work group charged with improving estimates of nitrogen loading to
the CT River from the states of MA, NH and VT . Work initiated in 2002 included synthesis of existing data on water quality,
land use and point source discharges. Additional monitoring of the CT River was approved in the LISS 2002 budget. Work
was initiated by USGS in December 2002.
Continue monitoring and modeling
program to improve estimates.
H-4. FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT HYPOXIA MANAGEMENT PLANS (CCMP TABLE 7, P. 41)
Key Elements: The CCMP envisioned fully-funded nonpoint source (CWA §319 and CZARA §6217) programs, federal and state
funding of state revolving fund programs, and appropriation of additional federal funds for management, emphasizing the
Phase III management efforts incorporated in the TMDL.
Description
2003 Planned Action
From 1996-2002, CT committed $396 million for sewage treatment plant reconstruction projects that will benefit LIS and
estimates that Clean Water Funding will be adequate to finance Phase III upgrade T otal CT funding through 2002
including all completed projects, projects still under construction, and projects still in the design phase totals more than
$495 million.
It is anticipated that the Bond
Commission will continue to award CWF
funds toward upgrades to ST Ps for
advanced nitrogen removal.
In 2002 the Bond Commission awarded CT Clean Water Fund (CWF) monies to eleven additional ST P design and
construction projects to be completed over the next three years. A total of $35 million of CWF financing was committed to
these projects.
From 1997-1999, NY committed $77,675,700 million for LIS projects from the Clean Air/Clean Water Bond Act fund, a
significant portion of which were for sewage treatment plant upgrades for LIS.
In 2003, NY committed $83 million for
LIS projects, a significant portion of
which are for ST P upgrades.
H-5. MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF HYPOXIA (CCMP TABLE 8, P. 4
Key Elements: The importance of continuing and expanding monitoring efforts to answer fundamental questions on the
health of LIS and to identify trends and changes that may be related to management activities were recognized in the CCMP.
Most of the recommended monitoring was to be directed towards oxygen and nutrients because of the hypoxia problem in
LIS. In addition, several specific monitoring/research projects were listed, most of which were completed shortly after the
CCMP was released. Lobsters were identified for special attention because of disease problems that pre-dated the 1999 lobster
die-off in Western LIS.
Description
2003 Planned Action
Hypoxic conditions in LIS were estimated to have extended for a period of 64 days and to cover a maximum area of 130
square miles compared to the 16 year averages of 57 days and 197 square miles.
13
Continue CT DEP ambient monitoring of
LIS.
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he LISS partners continued ambient monitoring of LIS in 2002. CT DEP continued its ambient monitoring of LIS stations in
2002. NYCDEP performed ambient monitoring of NY waters in western LIS. IEC continued its summer hypoxia
monitoring in LIS by collection and weekly measurements of DO, temperature, salinity, chlorophyl a at 21stations, and at a
Continue the ambient monitoring
program.
subset of stations, samples were collected for phytoplankton and Pfiesteria in 2002. IEC made weekly data transmissions
to LISO, CT DEP, NYCDEP, NYSDEC, CSHH and HydroQual. T he IEC Annual Report, released each year on January
24, details all monitoring activities. All IEC data are entered into the EPA database, ST ORET .
CT DEP and NYSDEC continued participation in EPA’s National Coastal Assessment in 2002. In addition to standard
water quality parameters, sediment samples were collected once from one-half of the number of fixed (sampling point)
stations in LIS.
In Summer 2003 CT and NY will
continue to participate in the National
Coastal Assessment by recording usual
water quality parameters and collect
sediment samples from the other half of
the fixed (sampling point) stations in LIS.
EPA will use the data to support its 2003
National Coastal Condition Report.
T he UCONN Department of Marine Sciences at Avery Point, Connecticut, continued to operate and maintain a real-time
water quality monitoring network, MYSound through 2002. T he MYSound stations monitor surface and bottom waters for
dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and selected other parameters at five specific sites. T he MYSound website address
is: http://www.mysound.uconn.edu. In 2002 EPA developed a technology transfer handbook that presents MYSound as a
case study of the successes achieved and challenges faced in acquiring and disseminating real-time marine water quality
information via the project website and other outreach vehicles. T he report may be ordered from EPA’s website,
http://www.epa.gov/ttbnrmrl.
T he Management Committee approved
LISS funding to continue operation of the
fixed monitoring stations through 2004.
In 2002, work continued on three LISS-funded research projects to study priority areas in LIS.: 1) isotope tracers of nitrogen
in Western LIS (PI- Dr. Fairbanks, Columbia U.); 2) phytoplankton dynamics in LIS (PI- Dr. Ward, UCONN); and 3) water
column O2 production and consumption in LIS (PI- Dr. Kremer, UCONN).
T hese projects will continue through
2003.
T he LISS sponsored a conference at UCONN Avery Point on March 6-7, 2002, Transition from a Hypoxia-Based
LIS research and monitoring priorities
will be addressed by the new ST AC in
2003.
Monitoring Plan to an Ecosystem-Based Monitoring Plan. T he conference brought together more than 75 professionals
and managers currently conducting monitoring, research and assessment programs in LIS to: 1) review a conceptual
framework of the LIS ecosystem; 2) discuss what could be done better/identify what’s missing; 3) identify priorities for
monitoring and research; and 4) prepare a report on workshop conclusions. T he proceedings were published in June
2002.
As one outcome of the conference, CT DEP expanded its scope of monitoring parameters to support the changing
ecosystem perspective. CT DEP modified its summer sampling strategy by reducing the number of stations monitored biweekly from 40+ down to 20-25 stations and eliminating the farthest eastern station (bordering the open Atlantic Ocean).
T he mid-month hypoxia surveys will be limited to the Narrows, western and central basins of LIS with a focus on stations
that historically have been affected by hypoxic conditions. T he number of stations sampled on these surveys will be adjusted
according to the severity of the hypoxic event as it develops each year. During years of unusually severe hypoxia, additional
stations will be monitored to ensure that an accurate assessment of the area affected by low DO is obtained.
14
CT DEP will implement the revised
monitoring plan in Summer 2003.
Controlling Major Sources of Pathogens
P a thoge ns c a n c a us e illne s s in pe ople e x pos e d through ba thing in, or
c ons uming fis h or s he llfis h from c onta mina te d wa te rs . P a thoge n
c onta mina tion re s ults in c los e d be a c he s , fis he rie s , or s he llfis h a re a s , hurting
loc a l e c onomie s a nd da ma ging public pe rc e ption of the e c ologic a l he a lth of
the S ound.
Ov e rall CCMP Strate gy:
As sources of pathogens come under better control,
ambient water conditions improve and
human and environmental exposures lessen.
The CCMP identifies a seven part strategy to control
pathogen contamination to LIS from:
1) combined sewer overflows (CSOs);
2) nonpoint sources
(NP S);
3) s e wage treatment plants (STPs);
4) vessel discharges; and
5) individual on-site
systems/discharges.
The final two elements of the strategy are to control pathogen conta mination
through: 6) public education; and 7) monitoring and assessment. As the public becomes educated
concerning the impact of pe rsonal behaviors on the environment, i.e., improper disposal of pet
wastes, inappropriate feeding of wildlife , use of boat pumpouts, changes in such behaviors may
benefit the Sound.
Env ironme ntal Indic ators/Re sults/Tre nds
Current LIS environme ntal indicators for pathogens include the number of beach closure days
and number of v e ssel pumpout stations. There were 285 LIS beach closure days reported in 2002,
not inc luding private and municipal beaches in Connecticut.
Historically, most closures are due to
ra infa ll levels that require presumptive action by local health departments. Harbor Island Park beac h
in Mamaroneck, NY continue d a s the one chronically closed beach (closed for $3days/yr. for 3 of last
5 years) on LIS. The number of vessel pumpout stations in NY and CT has increased from 43 in 1995
to 134 in 2002.
2002 Highlights:
‘
‘
CT and NY developed new programs to
address
EP A’ s Phase II storm water
require me nts
for
s torm
wa ter from
municipal separate storm sewer systems in
urban area s a nd for construction sites
disturbing one or more acres.
New York City continued its $1.5 billion
comprehensive program to abate CSOs,
scheduled for completion by 20 0 6 . Facility
planning and preliminary design for CSO
abate me nt of discharges to tributaries of
the East River and Western Long Is la nd
Sound continue d.
Cons truction of one
major CSO retention facility on Flushing
Creek will reduce impacts to Flushing
Creek, the East River, a nd Western Long
Island Sound and
by 2004.
is scheduled for completion
‘
As of 2002, Connecticut has 79 land-based
vessel pumpout fa c ilities and 9 pumpout boats;
the re are 15 total dump stations, 14 of which
are access ible to the public.
There are 55
pumpout stations in the New York LIS coastal
area. This brings the total number of pumpout
stations/boats available in LIS to 134, an
increase of eight from 2001.
‘
A number of STPs in Connecticut a nd N ew
York installed ultraviolet disinfection systems
in 2002, reducing chlorine discharged to the
Sound and retaining the ability of these plants
to reduce pathoge n
c ontamination to the
Sound.
15
S UMMARY OF CCMP MANAGEMENT ACTIONS :
PATHOGEN CONTAMINATION
P-1. CONTROLLING PATHOGEN CONTAMINATION FROM COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS (CCMP TABLE 31, P. 83)
Key Elements: Many municipalities with older sewerage facilities have combined stormwater and sanitary systems. These
systems overflow during rainfalls, causing untreated sewage to reach the Sound. Abatement of combined sewer overflows
(CSOs) will reduce a major source of pathogens to the Sound. CSO abatement programs are underway in New York and
Connecticut.
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he CT State Bond Commission awarded over $14.5M toward CSO projects statewide in 2002.
Connecticut anticipates spending $500
million over the next 15 years to
eliminate combined sewers that deliver
high volumes of untreated water directly
into rivers. T hese rivers and storm
drains deliver most of the more than 5.6
trillion gallons per year of fresh water
into Long Island Sound.
In 2002 CT DEP approved the New Haven Long T erm Control Plan (LT CP) for the containment of a 10-year storm and
elimination of the City’s 22 CSO’s by separating the City’s stormwater and sanitary sewer systems.
T he City proposes to eliminate
remaining CSO’s over the next 14 years
at a cost of $180 million.
T he City of Bridgeport submitted its LT CP on January 24, 2001. T he project is divided into several geographical areas. In
2001, area F-4 entered the construction phase for separating the combined sewer overflows and in 2002 most of the
project was completed except for final paving. Clean Water Funds of $1,249,850 were awarded in 2001 for the design
phase of area “G” of the city’s CSO system and in 2002, two of four area “G” contracts have been submitted for review.
Expected approval and construction is
to begin in 2003. Plans for the
remaining two (2) contracts for area
“G” will be submitted in 2003. Allocate
funding for additional projects in 2003.
16
Description
2003 Planned Action
New York City continued:
1) the $1.5 billion program to abate CSOs. T he CSO program is continuing facility planning and preliminary design for
CSO abatement of discharges to tributaries of the East River and Western Long Island Sound. Ongoing comprehensive
planning for CSO abatement will result in future reductions of pathogens discharges to the East River and Western Long
Island Sound;
Continue planning, design, and
implementation of East River CSO
facility plans to abate CSO discharges
by 2013.
2) to increase capture of runoff in CSO areas and is in almost complete compliance with EPA's minimum standards for
CSO controls. NYCDEP continued planning for maximizing wet weather flow to its WPCPs through operation
optimization. Wet weather operation plans were developed for the Hunts Point, Wards Island, Bowery Bay, and T allman
Island WPCPs to reduce CSO discharges to the Upper East River, its tributaries, and the City's waters of Western Long
Island Sound;
Finalize and implement WPCP wet
weather operation plans to reduce CSO
discharges.
3) planning under its Comprehensive City-Wide Floatables Control Abatement Plan project that is evaluating needs for
additional CSO abatement that are not part of the City’s water quality based CSO control program. Planning is ongoing
for the Hunts Point, Bowery Bay and T allman Island WPCP service areas. T his project is likely to result in the
recommendation of additional CSO controls, which will further reduce discharges of pathogens to the East River, its
tributaries and the City’s waters of western LIS. A long-term plan is being developed to increase the amount of
wastewater flow conveyed to and treated at the T allman Island WPCP during wet weather. Planning is nearing completion
on interceptor extensions that would increase the amount of wet weather flow treated at the WPCP by about 30 MGD.
More detailed facility planning, design and construction will be required before this action will be affected.
Continue comprehensive long-term
CSO control planning in areas not
affected by CSO facility plans.
4) Bronx River CSO abatement facility planning for construction of a storage conduit that will provide additional CSO
storage capacity. Engineering planning, field investigations and design work continued.
5) construction of its Flushing Creek CSO Retention Facility. T he underground CSO storage tank will provide a storage
capacity of 43 million gallons (28 MG in the tank and 15 MG in upstream sewers) that will abate CSO discharges to the
head end of Flushing Creek. Phase I construction of the underground structural elements of the tank is complete. Phase
2 construction of the mechanical and above-ground portion of the facility is ongoing. Construction is progressing on
schedule toward beneficial use of the storage facility in July 2004.
6) Hutchinson River CSO abatement facility planning for constructing a storage conduit that will provide 7 MG of
additional storage capacity that will abate CSO discharges to the Hutchinson River. Field investigations and design work
continued although a relocation of a portion of the conduit has been required to gain public approval thus necessitating
redesign efforts.
7) planning for its Alley Creek drainage area improvements. T his comprehensive watershed improvement project has
several components: drainage area improvements, CSO abatement facility construction, ecological restoration and
wetlands construction, and construction of the Oakland Ravine Stormwater T reatment System. A contract was awarded
and a Notice to Proceed to be issued for the drainage area improvements. Engineering planning, field investigations, and
design work continued.
8) planning for its Westchester Creek CSO Retention Facility. T he underground CSO storage tank will provide 12 MG
underground storage capacity that will abate CSO discharges at Outfall HP-25 to Westchester Creek. Engineering
planning, field investigations, and design work continued.
9) review of existing and attainable recreation water uses affected by pathogen bacteria for the City's CSO facility and
watershed-based planning projects for the Upper East River, its tributaries, and the City's waters of Western Long Island
Sound through its Use and Standards Attainment (USA) Project. T his effort specifically addresses pathogen controls for
the City's current CSO abatement plans and evaluating opportunities for improvements in the plans - a preliminary water
body/watershed plan has been developed for the Bronx River that addresses primary and secondary contact recreation
water uses in the Bronx River.
17
Continue review of recreational use
attainability and finalize the Bronx River
Waterbody/Watershed Plan under the
USA Project.
P-2. CONTROLLING PATHOGEN CONTAMINATION FROM NONPOINT SOURCES (CCMP TABLE 32, P. 84R
Key Elements: LISS has determined that nonpoint sources, including urban stormwater runoff, is one of the two most
significant sources of pathogen contamination in Long Island Sound. Urban stormwater runoff containing pathogens can
originate from many sources. Therefore, it presents a challenge to manage pathogens from nonpoint sources. Methods of
controlling pathogens from nonpoint sources include, but ar e n o t limited to: best management practices; permitting
activities; changes in building codes; consent agreements; and technical assistance and education.
Description
2003 Planned Action
In December 2002 New York State announced funding to assist local communities in protecting and improving water
quality in Long Island Sound. T he following grants were announced that will assist in the reduction of pathogens from
nonpoint sources:
1. T own of Brookhaven: $90,000 to install at least 30 leaching basins along Lower Rocky Point Road, Gully Landing Road
and side streets to reduce the volume and improve the quality of stormwater runoff entering LIS form these areas.
2. Village of Huntington: $321,751 and $237,038: to install 59 and 53 stormwater leaching basins in two different areas to
reduce the pollutants carried to Huntington Bay and improve the water quality.
3. Village of Nissequague: $115,000: Install 60 catch basins and leaching basins to contain stormwater and improve water
quality in Story Brook Harbor.
4. T own of Southhold: $50,000: to make improvements to two sites that have been identified as significant contributors of
nonpoint source runoff to Mattituck Creek. T his will reduce coliform bacteria from entering the creek.
5. City of New York: $850,000: to restore 1.5 acres of salt marsh and 0.75 acres of upland buffer on Pugsley Creek. T his
will reduce pollutants from runoff.
6. City of New York Economic Development: $4,321,250: to construct and restore nearly 33 acres of freshwater /brackish
water wetlands, adjacent floodplain and upland on the abandoned Flushing Airport. T he project will provide stormwater
filtration and treatment of pollutants.
7. City of Rye: $1,615,150: will restore approximately 1.9 acres of wetlands at the Rye Nursery site. T his will enhance
water quality.
In 2002 the LISS funded year three of the New York NEMO nonpoint source education program for municipal officials for
$75,000. T he program is described further below under P-6, Controlling Pathogen Contamination Through Public
NY NEMO has applied for year four
funding from the LISS.
Education, page 22, and under E-2, Public Information and Education, page 39.
T he LISS continued to support the Norwalk River Watershed Initiative, guided by the Norwalk River Watershed Advisory
Committee. EPA, NRCS, CT DEP, the seven watershed communities, several citizen groups, and area residents
comprise the Committee. From FY98-02, EPA awarded $471,371 in CWA§319 funds to support several high priority
implementation activities, including the watershed coordinator position, riparian buffer restoration, stormwater
management, road sand/salt reduction, and septic system outreach and education.
(See Hypoxia, H2, p.12)
T he NYSDEC Phase II storm water implementation plan involves permitting many storm sewer systems that discharge to
Long Island Sound. NYSDEC issued the new storm water Phase II general permits on January 8, 2003. Information on
the Phase II program in New York is posted on the NYSDEC website:
http://www.dec.state.ny.us./website/dow/PhaseII.html.
Regulated storm water dischargers
must submit a Notice of Intent by March
10, 2003.
P-3. CONTROLLING PATHOGEN CONTAMINATION FROM SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS (CCMP TABLE 33, P. 85)
Key Elements: If operating properly, sewage treatment plants contribute a relatively small percentage of pathogens to the
Sound. However, malfunctions, illegal sewer hookups, and wet weather overflows can cause problems at STPs.
Description
2003 Planned Action
Fairfield, CT ST P completed installation of a UV (disinfection) unit for pathogen control during 2002.
18
Construction of a UV unit will continue
for the Litchfield and Stamford, CT
Description
2003 Planned Action
ST Ps.
IEC continued to conduct unannounced effluent surveys in 2002 at CT and NYS WPCPs that discharge into the LIS portion
of the Interstate Environmental District, which includes the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester in NY and
Fairfield and New Haven Counties in CT . T hese surveys are conducted to check compliance with SPDES permits and
IEC water quality regulations, which are included in the SPDES permits. Pathogens monitored include fecal and total
coliforms.
IEC will continue to conduct effluent
surveys at CT and NY WPCPs;
additional pathogens for monitoring
during 2003 include fecal
streptococcus and enterococcus.
IEC continued to chair the Regional Bypass Work Group (RBWG) in 2002, to address unplanned bypasses of raw and
partially treated sewage, i.e., treatment plant upsets, broken pipes due to age, or construction mishaps. T he RBWG
members include NY, NJ, CT environmental and health departments, IEC, EPA, FDA, NYCDEP, and county health
officials. T he RBWG developed a model to predict which areas may be affected by a particular bypass. T imely model
predictions can determine whether a discharge occurring at a certain point will affect another area, and if a beach or a
shellfish area should be closed. In addition, regional notification protocols are in place.
T he IEC will continue to chair the
RBWG.
P-4. CONTROLLING PATHOGEN CONTAMINATION FROM VESSEL DISCHARGES (CCMP TABLE 34, P. 86)
Key Elements: Although not a primary source of pathogens in the Sound, vessel discharges can be a cause of local water
quality problems in poorly-flushed embayments. Creation of vessel No-Discharge Zones, use of best management practices,
and increasing the number of vessel pumpout stations are major actions to manage pathogen contamination from vessel
discharges.
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DEP received $207,000 in CVA funding in 2002. By the end of the 2002 boating season there were 79 total pumpout
stations (nine boats) 78 of which are available to the general public and 15 dump stations, (including one floating rest
room) 14 of which are available to the general public. A directory and map of pumpout stations and boats can be found on
the CT DEP website at: www.dep.state.ct.us/olisp/cva/cva.htm, along with a variety of information about Connecticut’s Clean
Vessel Act program.
A decision on Federal FY 2003 funding
for CT is anticipated in April 2003. CT
has proposed to construct 2 additional
stationary pumpouts, one additional
pumpout boat and provide further O&M
funding.
NYS received $58,525 in CVA funding in 2002. Four new pumpout stations were added in New York waters of Long Island
Sound in 2002 – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point; Wright Island, New Rochelle; Legend Yacht and Beach
Club, Glen Cove; and T own of Huntington Halesite Marina, Huntington. T here are a total of 55 pumpout stations in the LIS
coastal watershed area of New York State. Pumpout station locations are posted on the NY Sea Grant website at:
http://www.cce.cornell.edu/seagrant/pumpouts/lipumpouts.html.
CT DEP submitted an application to EPA for establishment of EPA-designated No Discharge Areas in the Pawcatuck
River/Little Narragansett Bay complex and for Stonington Harbor, all in eastern CT . Work is proceeding on the
establishment of no discharge areas for all CT coastal waters in Fishers Island Sound from the limits of the currently
proposed NDA in Stonington, to Avery Point, Groton, including Mystic Harbor, West Cove, Noank, Mumford Cove, the
Poquonnok river and Pine Island Bay.
EPA approved designations of Port Jefferson Harbor and Setauket Harbor as No Discharge Zones in 2002.
T he LISS Small Grants Program provided funding in 2001 to Friends of the Bay (Oyster Bay) for a bilge sock education
program for boaters in the bay area. T he project provided 5,000 bilge socks to boaters in 2002 to raise awareness of
vessel discharges to the Sound.
Project completed.
T he LISS Small Grant program approved funding in 2002 for a boater waste management project and a study of indicator
bacteria in the Silvermine River in Connecticut
T he project will be conducted in 2003.
19
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DEP began implementation of the Clean marina Program to assist coastal and inland marinas with pollution prevention
projects and practices. CWA 319 grant funds are being used to provide Clean marina Cost-Share Assistance Grants.
Projects can include measures that will reduce pathogen pollution to local waters, such as pet waste collection facilities
and materials and fish cleaning stations and grind disposal to sanitary sewers.
T he first round of Cost-Share
Assistance Grant proposals will be due
March 2003 and grants will be awarded
to eligible marinas.
P-5. CONTROLLING PATHOGEN CONTAMINATION FROM INDIVIDUAL ON-SITE SYSTEMS/DISCHARGES (CCMP
TABLE 35, P. 87)
Key Elements: When they are appropriately sited, functioning properly, and well-maintained, septic systems should not
be a source of pathogens to the Sound. When not properly sited or maintained, they become a source of pathogens to the
Sound. Both states’ and local governments must play a role in managing pathogen contamination from individual on-site
systems to the Sound.
Description
2003 Planned Action
NYSDEC is using CWA Section 319 funds to support the continued development of an Onsite T raining Network(OT N)
and a business plan for a T raining & Demonstration Center, currently located at the campus of the SUNY College at
Morrisville, New York. As of January 2003, the OT N has a full-time training coordinator, who organized a train-the-trainer
event for 28 attendees in the fall of 2002. T he coordinator also arranged for a soils evaluation training course for
NYCDEP, and an introductory OWT S course for DEC and county DOH employees on Long Island.
A Winter-Spring 2003 training
schedule will be distributed in February
2003 to DEC Regional Offices, DOH
county and District Offices, OT N
T rainers, County Water Quality
Coordinating Committees, and others.
New trainers will attend a second trainthe-trainer workshop in February 2003.
Additional 2003 training classes were
requested for Long Island.
T he Nonpoint Source Coordinating Committee (NPSCC), coordinated by the NYSDEC Division of Water, NPS
Management Section, continued to convene the On-site Wastewater T reatment Systems (OWT S) work group in 2002. T he
work group is composed of stakeholders interested in the proper siting, design, installation, and operation and
maintenance of septic systems. A final draft white paper was presented to the full NPSCC in April 2002 with highlights of
issues and possible solutions. T he Workgroup has moved ahead on non-controversial actions, including continued
development of the OT N.
T he work group will hold a conference
on Management of OWT S, coordinated
by EPA Region 2 and Cornell
University’s Local Government
Program, scheduled for April 1-2, 2003
in Mt. Kisco, NY.
NYSDOS and NYSDEC drafted a management strategy for OWT S, in conformance with the provisions of the Coastal
NPS Management Program under Section 6217 of the CZMA. Specific issues being addressed are the periodic
inspection of operating systems, and the possible impact on nitrogen limited waters. Components addressing specific
issues were submitted to EPA and NOAA: possible impact on nitrogen limited waters (resubmitted March 2002).
NYSDOS and NYSDEC provided additional information to EPA and NOAA regarding programs to address OSDS
maintenance in nitrogen limited water watersheds (September 2002). NOAA has approved the state’s OSDS programs
under the provisions of 6217, as has EPA Region 2:
Continued implementation of the OWT S
strategy while awaiting EPA and NOAA
approval of the Coastal NPS
Management Program.
Determination of EPA headquarters
position is expected February 2003.
P-6. CONTROLLING PATHOGEN CONTAMINATION THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION (CCMP TABLE 36, P. 88)
Key Elements: In many cases, simple lifestyle changes can reduce or eliminate a source of pathogen contamination in the
Sound. Upon available funding, the CCMP called for development and implementation of a public education plan, targeting
specific audiences, in cooperation with federal, state and local public outreach experts and environmental educators.
Description
2003 Planned Action
Education of boaters continued to be a focus of the CT CVA program. CT DEP staff attended boat shows with displays and
contacted individual boaters. CT DEP staff attended the annual meeting of the Connecticut Harbor Management
Association and displayed outreach materials.
20
Implement base work plan in 2003. In
addition an interactive computer/video
kiosk is under development.
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he LISS continued to distribute copies of a four-part poster series highlighting nonpoint source pollution problems. T he
posters humorously illustrate four common nonpoint pollution problems for the Sound, including runoff from car washing,
fertilizing, leaking automotive oil, and pet waste. T he posters were adapted for LIS from the Washington State Department
of Ecology’s posters for Puget Sound.
Continue to reprint and distribute
materials as appropriate.
In 2002, NY NEMO developed materials and provided more than a dozen presentations at l o c a l w o rkshops and regional
conferences to support municipal efforts to plan implementation of the EPA Phase II storm water regulations. NY NEMO cosponsored with the LISS and the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor the Long Island Storm Water Conference on September
25, 2002 that was attended by over 130 municipal officials and staff. T he conference provided important information on nonpoint
source pollution and municipal implementation of EPA Phase II storm water management programs.
NY NEMO’s main objectives for 2003
include developing effective workshops
and providing Phase II support to local
officials in Suffolk County Long Island
Sound priority watersheds.
In 2002 NY NEMO received funding f rom NOAA and the LISS to work on development of remotely sensed images, aerial
photography and GIS geospatial illustrations that are planned for use in NY NEMO workshops for decision makers in Suffolk
County Long Island Sound priority watersheds.
Work will continue in 2003.
In May 2002 New York City released its annual New York Harbor Water Quality Report for the year 2001. T he report
summarizes water quality conditions in general for New York Harbor, and specifically for the Upper East River and
Western Long Island Sound that were measured by the NYCDEP Harbor Survey. Among other water quality parameters
measured, the report indicates that summer-averaged fecal coliform concentrations have fallen dramatically and
significantly throughout much of this region of the Harbor over the past 16 years. However a slight increase was identified
in 2001. T he report also highlights other monitoring and pollution control activities conducted by the City and other
agencies. T he report is available on the NYCDEP website at: http://www.nyc.gov/dep.
P-7. MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF PATHOGENS (CCMP TABLE 37, P. 89)
Key Elements: Monitoring of pathogens is a tool that will allow assessment of the success of the pathogen reduction
activities called for in the CCMP. Monitoring and assessment are essential to improved understanding o f p a t h o g e n
contamination in the Sound. A well-designed monitoring program is an essential element of an effective manage ment
program for Long Island Sound and its watershed.
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DOA/DA continued its annual monitoring of shellfish beds for pathogens, providing invaluable information to the
shellfish industry and the public on the classification and condition of shellfish beds.
Continue to monitor shellfish beds for
health and viability.
During 2002, there were 277 beach-days lost due to closure in the NYS portion of Long Island Sound. All of the closures
occurred in beaches along the shore of Westchester County, and of these, 198 beach-days were at two beaches in the
same waterway (Mamaroneck Harbor). Sewage pump station overflows accounted for 14 beach-closure days, while all
other closures were caused by rain (administrative closure) or high bacteria levels.
State, city, town and county monitoring
for pathogens will continue in 2003.
T he Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act (BEACH) of 2000, PL 106-284 ensures standards for
In FY2003 and beyond, if funds are
appropriated to support these
programs, EPA expects to make grants
to also support implementation of
monitoring and notification programs
that are consistent with the statutory
requirements for implementation
grants, which include consistency with
EPA's performance criteria.
pathogens that protect human health; establishes monitoring and notification measures, and provides initial development
and implementation grants to states. EPA published a Federal Register Notice (FRN) of availability of $10 million in
funding for state grants to implement the Beach Act. Federal Register: March 21, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 55,
pp.13140-13143] EPA published National Beach Guidance and Required Performance Criteria for Grants., Beach Act
implementation guidance, in a FRN dated July 19, 2002, FR Volume 67, Number 139, pp. 47540-47541
CT DEP received $226,389 in EPA FY2002 Beach Act funding for implementing elements of the program in Connecticut.
In New York, NYSDOH received $366,030 in EPA FY2002 Beach Act funding to support program implementation statewide; a portion of these funds will benefit LIS beaches.
Due to financial and staffing constraints, data for 2002 beach closures at private and municipal beaches are not available
to CT DEP staff as of the printing of this report. Of Connecticut’s four state beaches on LIS, two had beach closures
totaling eight (8) days.
21
CT municipalities, regional health
districts, and CT DEP will continue to
monitor for bacteria (pathogens) in
2003.
Description
2003 Planned Action
IEC produced its 2002 Annual Report summarizing its tri-state water quality monitoring program and results. T he report
describes the status of plant upgrades and construction in the tri-state environmental district. IEC conducted its annual
inspection trip of Commission waters in August 2002 for environmental district members. IEC continued to improve its
new website at www.iec-nynjct.org.
Continue preparation of the annual
report and conduct of annual inspection
trip in 2003.
IEC coordinated development of a monitoring plan for pathogen track-down in the Byram River.
IEC will continue pathogen monitoring
during 2003 under wet weather
conditions only.
IEC continued pathogen monitoring in the NY-NJ Harbor Complex. A subset of the 42 station network is located within
the LISS core area. Pathogens monitored include fecal and total coliforms, fecal streptococcus, and enterococcus.
NYCDEP continued its Harbor Survey program by monitoring fecal coliform and enterococcus in the City's waters of the
Upper East River and Western Long Island Sound. Monitoring continued at several East River tributary stations that were
added to the program in 2001.
22
Continue Harbor Survey program and
enhance enterococcus sampling.
Protecting the Sound from the A dverse Effects of
Toxic Substances
Toxic substances can cause adverse human and ecosystem health effects,
and can result in significant negative economic impacts on the value of the
natural resources of the Sound.
CCMP Strategy :
The CCMP strategy to address toxic contamination in LIS has five principal eleme nts: 1) controlling
and preventing toxic contamination from all sources; 2) addressing sediment contamination; 3)
improving human health risk management; 4) monitoring and assessing toxic contaminants; and 5)
con ducti ng re sea rch to inve stig ate to xic c onta min ation .
Environmental Indicators/Results/Trends
Ove rall, toxic emissions in the region and to the Sound have be en declin ing ove r the last 16 years
due to more stri ngent environm ental regulations.
Historical contaminant leve ls as measured in
sedim ents and in living marine resources show a downward trend, which is particularly evident for
banned or controlled chemicals such as DDT and chlordane. Today, the major sources of toxic
chem icals to the So und are from S TPs, ind ustrial dis charge s, urban stormw ater, and atm ospheric
deposition. Programs strive to reduce chemic al discharge s and m inimize toxicity of effluen ts. Howev er,
the legacy o f historic al discharges of contaminants often remains in the sediments of Long Island
Sound long after discharges cease.
2002 Highlights:
‘
‘
‘
EPA and ACOE continued work on the
Environm ental Impact Statement (EIS) for the
designation of open water dredged m aterial
disposal sites in Long Island Sound. In 2002
several field stud ies w ere com pleted and
reports we re finalized. A Working Group of
about 40 citizens met to review and comment
on th e fin ding s of th e fie ld wo rk.
New York S tate app roved le gisla tion to ban
retail sales of lead fishing sinkers weighing
one-ha lf ounce or less. This will help prevent
waterfowl from being injured or killed by lead
poi son ing from ing esti ng le ad si nke rs.
The Town of North Hempstead received a
$2,000,000 New Y ork State Clean Air/C lean
Water Bond Act grant to assist in the closure
of the mu nicipa lity’s Port W ashing ton land fill.
23
‘
In 2002 , 80 of the 84 Con necticu t STPs
discharging into the S ound o r its tributa ries
passed toxicity testing. This is a decrease
from 2001 of two facilities that discharge
treated waste water that is safe for most
aquatic life. In New York, the two facilities
required to condu ct toxicity te sts both passed
all parameters in 2002.
‘
EPA Toxic R elease Inven tory (TRI) data for
New York and Connecticut from all sources
show significantly declining trends over the
last 10 years due to such factors as stricter
regulation, increasing emission controls,
increased recycling, reuse and treatment, and
declining manufacturing industries. The EPA
TRI w ebs ite is: http://ww w.epa.go v/tri.
S UMMARY OF MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
TOXIC S UBS TANCES
T-1. TOXIC CONTAMINANT SOURCE CONTROLS AND POLLUTION PREVENTION (CCMP TABLE 21, P. 65)
Key Elements: Permit programs and enforcement activity for both direct and indirect discharges, including toxicity testing
of those discharges, are responsible for greatly reducing toxic substance loads over the past 25 years . LISS’ priority
management recommendation for toxic substances is to continue these successful activities, all of which are funded under
current programs. Other programs that are designed to prevent pollution and reduce pollutant loads must also be supported
as part of a comprehensive program to manage toxic contamination in the Sound.
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DEP completed development of the Geographic Information System (GIS) project for the Sediment Quality Information
Data (SQUID) system for Long Island Sound in 2001. A User Manual was developed in 2002.
Distribution of the Long Island Sound
SQUID. A T echnical Manual is under
development and almost completed.
CT DEP submitted to EPA T MDLs for copper, lead, and zinc for Hayden Creek and for ammonia, chlorine, copper, and
zinc for Limekiln Brook. EPA approved the Hayden Creek T MDL on April 29, 2002; and Limekiln Brook T MDL on August
12, 2002.
Follow up monitoring will be conducted
under the rotating watershed basin
sampling plan.
In 2002, 80 of 84 Connecticut ST Ps passed toxicity testing; in 2001 82 of 84 facilities passed this testing requirement.
As more ST Ps upgrade their facilities,
the expected goal of 100% discharge
passing the toxicity test will be
achieved.
In New York, the two facilities that are currently required to conduct toxicity testing per their NYSPDES permit, Glen Cove
Creek and Newtown Creek, passed all tests in 2002.
Continued testing in 2003.
T he T own of North Hempstead received a $2,000,000 New York State Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act to assist in the
closure of the municipality's Port Washington Landfill.
New York State approved legislation to ban retail sales of lead fishing sinkers weighing one-half ounce or less. T his will
help prevent waterfowl from being injured or killed by lead poisoning from ingesting lead sinkers.
NYSDEC and NYSDOH announced a proposed $3 M plan for cleaning up a contaminated site around Beaver Swamp
Brook on the border of Harrison and Rye city. T he plan calls for removing surface debris such as tires and plastic
materials, disposing of contaminated soil, covering excavated areas with clean soil and disposing of contaminated
sediment in the brook and backfilling it with clean material. A state grant would pay for 75 percent of the cleanup on the
15-acre site and the town of Harrison would pay the remaining amount.
Suffolk County has decided that its mosquito control program must be subject to full environmental review to determine the
ecological impacts of all chemical controls and water management techniques currently in use and being proposed for
future use throughout the County.
Nassau County will install a stormwater treatment chamber to capture oil and sediment prior to the discharge of the
stormwater into Glen Cove Creek and Hempstead Harbor. T his project is funded by a $37,500 NYS Bond Act Grant.
In December 2002 New York announced $4.4M in state funding for four wastewater treatment projects to assist the T own
of Huntington, the Village of Northport, the City of Glen Cove and the Belgrave Water Pollution Control District in
protecting and improving water quality in Long Island Sound through construction of ultraviolet disinfection systems at the
first three facilities.
24
A nature preserve is planned for the site
once it is no longer contaminated.
Description
2003 Planned Action
NYSDEC has ordered Consolidated Edison to return to the site of its former substation in Echo Bay, New Rochelle and
clean up PCB-contaminated mud--or take tests to show that the chemicals are not harming fish and other creatures.
T-2. ADDRESSING SEDIMENT CONTAMINATION (CCMP TABLE 22, P. 67)
Key Elements: To begin the process of remediating sediments, LISS will conduct further assessments of toxic contaminant
distribution in sediments of western Long Island Sound and embayments identified as having elevated toxic contaminant
burdens. Based on th e s e assessments, it will be possible to determine the feasibility, value, and cost of remediating
contaminated sediments, where remediation may be necessary.
Description
2003 Planned Action
Under the EIS process for designation of dredged material disposal sites in LIS under MPRSA, in 2002 the ACOE and
EPA conducted sampling and characterization of sediments at disposal sites in LIS. Sediments were analyzed for texture,
chemistry and toxicity. Summaries of this and other EIS reports are available on the EPA New England Region website at
http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lisdreg/rpfs.html.
By 2004, EPA, in conjunction with the
ACOE, will complete the EIS for the
designation of dredged material
disposal sites in Central and Western
LIS, and by 2008 will complete the EIS
for designation of sites in Eastern LIS.
T-3. IMPROVING HUMAN HEALTH RISK MANAGEMENT (CCMP TABLE 23, P. 68)
Key Elements: The objective of human health risk management is to determine the likeli hood that exposure to a toxic
substance will have adverse impacts on human health and to estimate the degree of the effects. In the case of Long Island
Sound, the states of Connecticut and New York have issued advisories on consumption of selected seafood taken from the
Sound. By improving communication of consumer advisories, it is anticipated that public health risk will be improved.
Description
2003 Planned Action
Connecticut’s current LIS fish consumption advisory is for PCBs in striped bass, bluefish, and lobster hepatopancreas; the
CT fish advisory is posted on the CT DOH website: http://www.dph.state.ct.us/Publications/BCH/EEOH/fishweb02.pdf.
New York’s current LIS fish consumption advisory is for PCBs in bluefish and American eels from LIS, for PCBs in striped
bass from LIS west of the Wading River; and for PCBs, cadmium, and dioxin in crab and lobster hepatopancreas. T he
New York fish consumption advisory is posted on the NYSDOH website:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/environ/02fish.pdf.
25
T he Long Island Sound 2003
Agreement, signed in December 2002,
calls for New York and Connecticut, by
2003 to “meet to jointly review their
approaches for LIS fish consumption
advisories and to discuss a process to
achieve the goal of consistent fish
consumption advisories for LIS.”
T-4. MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC CONTAMINANTS (CCMP TABLE 24, P. 71)
Key Elements: The LISS toxic contaminant monitoring program will focus on water, sediment and tissue media. The data
collected from the monitoring program will be used to answer questions about resource and human health risks and sources
of toxic contaminants.
Description
2003 Planned Action
NYSDEC, through the Waste Management and Reduction Institute of SUNY Stony Brook, and CT DEP, continued
participation in the EPA-sponsored National Coastal Assessment monitoring program in 2002. Elements of the existing
NYCDEP harbor water quality survey, the LIS ambient water quality monitoring program, Suffolk County DOHS and the
T own of Hempstead water quality monitoring programs have been integrated with the National Coastal Assessment. T he
program is monitoring and assessing water and sediment quality parameters and biota in LIS.
Continued participation in 2003 is
planned.
T-5. RESEARCH TO INVESTIGATE TOXIC CONTAMINATION (CCMP TABLE 25, P. 73)
Key Elements: Toxic contaminants identified in Long Island Sound are numerous; their pathways to the Sound are varied,
and their effects on the environment, marine life and human health are not fully understood. These fac t o r s m u s t be
understood if effect i v e m a nagement is to be accomplished. The CCMP identified these needs are identified as
recommendations, though continuation of work begun by LISS through the EPA Long Island Sound Office and other parties
should recognize these recommendations as priority research topics.
Description
2003 Planned Action
Under the LISS Research Grant Program, the Marine Science Research Center, SUNY Stony Brook’s research project
of the effects of trace metals, organic carbon and inorganic nutrients in surface waters of LIS on phytoplankton growth
continued in 2002. (Dr. Wilhelmy, P.I.)
Final reports are expected in 2003.
T he LISS-supported research project to investigate metal contaminant concentrations in LIS sediments over time (Dr.
Varekamp, P.I.) also continued in 2002. T hese two-year research projects are ongoing.
In 2002 the LISS funded SUNY Stony Brook to conduct a two-year research project to investigate new approaches for
assessing mutagenic risk of contaminants in LIS (Dr. McElroy, P.I.)
In 2002, CT DEP continued to support UCONN researchers conducting research and monitoring for air deposition of
mercury in LIS.
26
T he Investigation will continue in 2003.
Reducing Floatable Debris in the Sound
Litter, debris, and trash floating in LIS coastal waters and washing up on LIS shorelines
can be a nuisance to, or hazard for boaters, beach-goers, bathers, fishermen, and other
recreational or commercial LI S users. Floatable debr is can harm wild life and living
CCMP Strategy
Floatable debris contributes to unsightly, unsanitary, or unhealthy beach and shoreline conditions,
and can adversely affect environmental quality and the health of living marine resources, waterdependent birds and other aquatic life. This type of pollution can reduce the market value of
shoreline property, affecting t he regional econom y, and can also adversely affect public perception
of the health of the Sound. This CCMP priority area identifies two principal management actions:
1) controlling floatable d ebris from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and storm sewer s; and 2)
increasing floatable d ebris cleanu p efforts.
Environment al Indicators/Re sults/Trends
Programs in place to control sources of debris to the Sound include regional or statewide antilitter campaigns, beach cleanup and adopt-a-spot programs, municipal Clean Marinas and Clean
Vessel Act activiti es, street sweeping, refuse pick -up and recycling pro grams, solid waste facility
management practices, public awareness campaigns, and enforcement of local ordinances. Indicators
for this element include: miles of beaches cleaned; tons of trash removed; and numbers of
volunteers involved. In 2002, more tha n 2,000 volunteers around the Sound collected, sorted,
recorded and properly disposed of or recycled more than 80,000 pounds of trash from 59 sites in
New York and more t han 20 miles of beaches in Connect icut.
2002 Highlights:
‘ Efforts
to control combined sewer
overflows (CSOs) and improve stormwater
management, described under Pathogens,
are also helping to reduce the amount of
litter reaching the Sound.
amount of streets rated Acceptably Clean
was 85 percent in 2002, compared to 77
percent in 1995. The number of streets
rated Filthy in 2002 was 1.4 percent, down
from a 1995 level of 4.9 percent.
‘ As a result of National Beach Clean Up Day
‘ A floatable debris collection system has
in September 2002, 2,009 volunteers from
New York removed 78,284 pounds of
debris from 59 sites. In Connecticut, 490
volunteers removed 3,827 pounds of trash
from 20.75 miles of shoreline.
been installed by the City of New Rochelle
at the mouth of Stephenson Brook. The
County of Westchester assessed the
installation of collection system(s) on
county-owned lands, and as a result applied
for and received funding under the Clean
Air/Clean Water Bond Act fund for two
floatable debris collection systems on the
Bronx River, a tributary to LIS.
‘ The amount of litter entering area waters
from New York City has continued to
decrease from 1995 baseline levels through
the City's street sweeping efforts. The
27
S UMMARY OF CCMP MANAGEMENT ACTIONS :
FLOATABLE DEBRIS
F-1. CONTROLLING FLOATABLE DEBRIS FROM CSOs AND STORMWATER SEWERS (CCMP TABLE 38, P. 96)
Key Elements: Ongoing programs conducted by state and municipal governments to reduce floatable debris; and
long-term CSO abatement and NPDES stormwater permitting programs.
Description
2003 Planned Action
As part of its Clean Marina program, CT DEP updated its Best Management Practices for Coastal Marinas by producing
CT DEP’s Clean Marina Guidebook
the Connecticut Clean Marina Guidebook. T he guide provides best management practices for marinas to reduce pollution
cards detailing methods to minimize the environmental impacts of common boating practices are part of the program.
encourages marina operators to
accept responsibility for litter control
and recycling. A series of
informational meetings is planned for
2003 and the implementation of a
“Clean Marina Small Grants”
program.
T he LISS Small Grants Program awarded the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency (CRERPA) funds to
reprint a boaters’ waste wheel. CRERPA will partner with CT DEP’s Clean Boater Program to distribute this outreach
material to state boaters.
T he boaters wheels will be distributed
to the state’s boaters during the 2003
boating season.
New York City continues to implement actions for reducing floatables in its harbor waters and neighboring water bodies
including Western Long Island Sound. In 2002 New York City:
NYCDEP's construction of a CSO
retention facility for Flushing Creek
continues, while planning and design
continues for the Bronx River,
Westchester Creek, the Hutchinson
River, and Alley Creek.
potential, and includes a section on reducing floatable debris. T he Clean Marina program includes a recreational boater
outreach and education component, part of which addresses control of solid waste on boats. Laminated Clean Boating Tips
1) continued to improve the effectiveness of its catch basins to prevent street litter from entering combined and separated
sewers that would eventually be discharged as floatables to harbor waters;
2) continued to increase the number of hooded catch basins and to evaluate potential improvements to their effectiveness of
retaining litter through the catch basin inventory program;
3) progressed with planning, design and construction of CSO retention facilities for the East River and Western Long
Island Sound that will include discharge volume reductions and screening to reduce floatables discharges to these waters.
NYCDEP's comprehensive floatables planning is also continuing for reducing floatables discharges to non-tributary
waters of the East River and the City's waters in Western Long Island Sound;
4) initiated a program to evaluate its current Interim Floatables Containment Program and identify methods of improvement
to maximize CSO floatables capture throughout the City including the upper East River and several of its tributaries. An
improvement made in 2002 included replacement of some of the booms at the containment booming sites to improve the
efficiency of collection; and
5) continued to retrieve debris from local waters from CSO and non-CSO sources. T he Interim Floatables Containment
Program features CSO containment booming and skimming in the City's tributaries and open waters of the East River and
Western Long Island Sound. In 2002, NYCDEP removed 1,000 cubic yards of debris from harbor tributary waters. T he
City's harbor skimmer retrieved 144 tons of debris from open water areas of the harbor.
In 2002 New York City initiated construction of an additional floatables containment system in Little Bay near the T hroggs
Neck Bridge as part of its Interim Floatables Containment Program. T he system is located on T allman Island WPCP CSO
outfall T I-013 and will include an outfall extension channel and an end-of-pipe netting system.
Complete construction and begin
operation of the floatables containment
system.
As part of the Use and Standards Attainment Project, New York City developed a preliminary waterbody/watershed plan for
the Bronx River. Among other things this plan recommends additional actions to control CSO and non-CSO floatables in
the Bronx River. T he City intends to initiate additional facility planning studies to further develop those actions.
New York City will develop a contract
to conduct additional facility planning
activities.
28
Description
2003 Planned Action
As part of its continuing long-term CSO planning efforts, New York City is progressing with development of a long-term
plan to increase the amount of wastewater flow conveyed to and treated at the T allman Island WPCP during wet weather.
Planning is nearing completion on interceptor extensions that would increase the amount of wet weather flow reaching the
WPCP by about 30 MGD. More detailed facility planning, design and construction will be required before this action will
be affected.
Develop a contract to provide for
detailed facility planning, design and
construction bidding.
Floatable debris is a significant problem in Westchester County. A floatable debris collection system has been installed by
the City of New Rochelle at the mouth of Stephenson Brook. T he County of Westchester assessed the installation of
collection systems on county-owned lands. As a result, the county applied for and received funding under the New York
Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act for two floatable debris collection systems along the Bronx River, a tributary to Long Island
Sound.
T he Westchester County departments
of Planning and Parks, Recreation and
Conservation, using a grant under the
New York State Clean Water/Clean
Air Bond Act, will install two floatable
debris collection systems on the Bronx
River in Bronx River Parkway
Reservation in 2003.
F-2. INCREASING FLOATABLE DEBRIS CLEANUP EFFORTS (CCMP TABLE 39, P. 99)
Key Elements: Anti-litter educational campaigns, annual beach clean-ups, litter control demonstration projects and
storm drain stenciling programs.
Description
2003 Planned Action
National Beach Clean Up Day in September 2002 resulted in 2,009 volunteers from New York picking up 78,284 pounds of
debris at 59 sites on LIS. In Connecticut, 490 volunteers removed 3,827 pounds of debris from 20.75 miles of shoreline.
T he amount of litter entering area waters from New York City has continued to decrease from 1995 baseline levels through
the City's street sweeping efforts. T he amount of streets rated Acceptably Clean was 85 percent in 2002, compared to 77
percent in 1995. T he number of streets rated Filthy in 2002 was 1.5 percent, down from a 1995 level of 4.9 percent.
29
Save the Sound, Inc., in cooperation
with the CT Sea Grant program and
the American Littoral Society in New
York will promote National Clean Up
Day in 2003.
Continue street sweeping programs.
Managing and Conserving Living Resources and
Their Habitats
The overall abundance and diversity of habit ats and living marine r esources in the So und
is a strong indicator of the health of the ecosystem. Years of neglect, mismanagement,
and damaging ac tions have dimini shed these environment al indicators. These a ctions
have resulted in wat er quality problems, ha ve adversely affected cri tical habitats, a nd
have contributed to damaging economic and environmental impacts from flooding,
erosion, and runoff pollu tion.
CCMP Strategy:
The CCMP identifies the following elements to preserve, protect and enhanc e LIS living marine
resources and their habitats: 1) restoring and enhancing aquatic and terrestrial habitats; 2) protecting
and acquiring habitat;
3) developing inventories and manage ment strategies for aquatic and
terrestrial habitats; 4) managing endangered and threatened species; 5) managing harvested species;
6) managing exotic and nuisance species; 7) educating the public; 8) developing databases; 9)
conducting Sound wide and site-specific resear ch and monitor ing; and 10) conducti ng living
resources and habit at research.
Environment al Indicators/Re sults/Trends
The primary measurable Long Island Sound environmental indicators for this priority area are
the number of acres of habitat restored and linear miles of river corridor reopened to anadromous
fish passage. Of its goal of 2000 acres restored by 2008, the LISS has restored 465, with a number
of acres of projects nea ring completion. Of the go al of 100 river miles r eopened to fish passage by
2008, 43.5 miles have been restored to date. In 2002, LISS par tners have noted several d isturbing
environmental events, including a new, smaller sc ale lobster die-off in the central and eastern basins;
a new lobster disease observed in western LIS; and, an as yet unexplained tidal wetlands losses in
both Connecticut and New York LIS embayments. Research into these events is ongoing or planned.
2002 Highlights:
‘ In 2002 CTDEP partnered with the New
water utility company, for public access for
passive recreation. TNC contributed $10M
toward the $90M purchase price.
The
purchase of these properties is t he single
largest land acquisition of open space in
Connecticut’s history preserving open space
lands cover ing 28 towns in four co unties.
Haven Land Trust, USFW S, CWRP, and
NRCS in completing a fishway at Bunnells
pond at Beardsley Park in Bridgeport,
Connecticut, reopening 3 miles of river to
anadromous fish passage.
‘ During 2002, Connecticut purchased 3,529
acres of land at a cost of $10 .8 million.
CTDEP partnered with The Nature
Conservancy (TNC) in purchasing more
than 15,300 acres of land and easements
from Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, a
‘ A significant New York acquisition was the
Keyspan property on Long Island, New York,
which protected more than 500 acres of
property with one mile of LIS beachfront..
New York’s Open Space Plan is the blueprint
30
2002 LISS research fund of $350,000 to
address a number of key areas of research
on LIS, including living ma rine and marinedependent resources.
In 2002 research
commenced on five two-year projects that
were selected for funding in 2001, while the
three projects initially funded in 2000
continued in 2002.
for the State’s land conservation efforts,
which during the past several years, has
conserved more than 300,000 acres of
land across the state with an investment of
$300 million in Environmental Protection
Fund and Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
funds.
‘ In 2002 the LISS Stewardship System
Work Group, compri sed of federal, state,
and local agencies and organizations,
continued to coordinate development of a
LIS Stewardship System Strategy for
Management Committee consideration for
public release. Save the Sound , Inc. (STS),
Audubon New York (ANY ), and the
Regional Plan Association (RPA) continued
to coordinate and support the work group.
‘ The New York and Co nnecticut Sea Gr ant
College Programs, wit h CTDEP and
NYSDEC, continued to coo rdinate and
manage the LIS lobster research initiative.
In November 2002 the Sea Grant programs
sponsored, in cooperation with the Atlantic
States Marine Fisheries Council the 2nd
Annual Long Island Sound Lobster Health
Symposium in Ronkonkoma, NY.
The
Symposium focused on the status of the
lobster mortalities in LIS, bringing together
researchers,
academics,
s c i e n t i s ts,
professional managers and lobstermen to
exchange
information
and
concerns.
Fourteen science research teams in seven
states are studying the causes of these
lobster events. The State of Connecticut
contributed $1M to this research effort from
the LIS License Plate fund.
‘ Through 2002, the Westchester County
Department of Planning and Soil and Water
Conservation District have received $4.1
million in county, state and federal funding
to restore streams, wetlands and coastal
habitat in the Long Island Sound watershed
in Westchester County. Sixteen restoration
projects have been completed or are under
construction, another project is in design,
and another has been funded and is
expected to enter the design phase in
2003. Projects range from stream bank
stabilization and pond enhancement to salt
marsh and vegetated dune creation to
freshwater mar sh restoratio n.
‘ The LISS-funded project by CTDEP and the
USFWS to map critical eelgrass beds in LIS
embayments was completed in 2002, which
is a key action item under Living Resources
and Their Habitats in the Long Island Sound
2003 Agreement.
‘ The Management Committee approved a
31
SUM MAR Y OF C CMP MAN AGEM ENT A CTIO NS:
MANAGEM ENT AND CO NSERVATION O F LIVING RESOURCE S
AND THEIR HABITATS
L-1. RESTO RATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF AQUATIC AND TERREST RIAL HABITATS (CCMP T ABLE 40, P.107)
Key Elements: Continue and enhance programs to restore tidal wetlands and other habitats. Develop a coordinated strategy to
inventory and prioritize habitat restoration and enhancement needs.
Description
2003 Planned Action
The LIS S contin ued to sup port the New York and C onnecticu t habitat restoration c oordinators and programs in 2002.
The s tate coord inators p rovide tech nical as sistan ce to mu nicipal an d local land owners and other partners in
implementing the LISS habitat restoration plan.
Continued support for the LISS
h a bi ta t r e st or a ti on p r og r am .
The U SFW S-Coas tal Program as sisted C TD EP, C oastal Amer ica, and corp orations in exploring res toration opportunities
and incen tives to increase c orporate participation in th e Corporate W etland Res toration Partners hip. North east Utilities
hosted a m eeting during which b enefits to corp orate spons ors, cand idate restoration sites , and partners hip improvem ents
were discussed. The USFW S offered to produce a map that would portray the priority restoration projects and
completed works and completed works, and is assisting with the development of a newsletter to tell success stories and
advocate for more sponsors.
Continue to w ork with Coas tal
America and the corporate partners
to expand the CWRP and implement
priority restoration projects. Partners
will be planning the designs for two
projects, a fis h pass age project as
Jordan B rook in W aterford and a tidal
wetland and coastal grassland
restoration at Lynde P oint in O ld
Saybrook.
Connecticut continued to restore degraded tidal wetlands through its existing programs and in collaboration with the Long
Island S ound Stu dy Habitat R estoration initiative. CTD EP has established a Tidal W etland Res toration Team ( i.e.,
USF W S, NM FS, N RCS , Save the Soun d) which identifies annu al work priorities.
Phragmites control work will continue
in 2003 at several sites.
In 2002 construction of ponds and plugging ditches w ere completed at Great and Upper Islands (in the Lower CT River)
as well as the Quinnipiac River marsh and the Great Meadows marsh where ponds and a channel were created restoring
tidal flow. These projects resulted in an additional 129 acres of tidal wetlands restored, for a total of 465 acres toward the
LISS goal of 2000 acres by 2008.
Connecticut continued to use the Coves and Embayments Program to fund preliminary engineering, design and
construction for the restoration of degraded coves especially those dominated by tidal wetlands.
Connec ticut has es tablished a c oastal barrier habitat res toration team. In con junction with the LISS Habitat Res toration
Initiative, the Coastal Barriers , Beaches and Du nes restoration team com pleted field ass essm ents of hab itat degradation
at nine coastal barrie r systems in southeastern Connecticut. To date, restoration plans have been drafted for Waterford
Beach Park, and Ocean Beach Park, New London.
An up dated res toration datab ase is
planned for the Coastal Barriers
group. Dune restoration plans will be
reviewed and finalized for Waterford
Town Beach and O cean Beach Park,
New London.
In 2002 Connecticut used the following sources of non-state funds to support habitat restoration: National Fish & W ildlife
Foundation, U SFW S, CW A §31 9, The N ature Cons ervancy, Intermod al Surfac e Trans portation Eff iciency Ac t,
C o rp o ra te W e t la n ds R e s to ra ti on P ar tn e rs h ip f u nd s , D u c k s U n li m it ed , C on n ec t ic u t W a t e rf o wl A s so c ia ti on , C T
Conservation Stamp Program, Connecticut Valley Waterfowlers Association, Connecticut Audubon, NRCS, Lynde Point
Land Trust, Restore America's Estuarie s, and NOAA.
On-going
In February 2002, the US Dept. of Commerce approved incorporation of New York State’s LIS Coastal Management
Progr am into th e NYS Coas tal Manag ement P rogram . The c oastal polic ies of th e LIS C oastal Ma nagem ent Prog ram will
be the basis for the cons istency determ inations required pursu ant to federal and s tate coastal man agement legis lation for
activities within or aff ecting the LIS coastal area, other than those areas w ith an approved Loc al W aterfront Revitalization
P r o gr a m .
32
Description
2003 Planned Action
City of Rye, N Y, officials are p lanning to go ahead with a wetlands restoration project p lanned for the old R ye Nurser y.
The old Rye Nursery, which was recently acquired by the city for open space, is 6.7 acres. The project would restore two
acres covered in rubble to create an overall 3-acre wetland.
Rye off icials ho pe to start work in
spring 2 003 dep endent on s tate
funding.
The V illage of Port W ashington received a $165 ,000 En vironmental Protec tion Fund G rant for enhan cements to Bay
W alk Park. The Village of Port Washington North will complete planning and design for the establishment of a
continuous 4.3-acre waterfront park and multi-use trail along Manhasset Bay. The project will link several vil lages plus
Town of North H empstead and Nas sau C ounty- owned w aterfront property.
Throu gh 200 2, the W estches ter County D epartment of Planning an d Soil and W ater Cons ervation Distric t have received
$4.1 million in county, state and federal funding to restore streams, wetlands and coastal habitat in the Long Island
Sound watershed in Westchester County. Sixteen restoration projects have been completed or are under construction,
another project is in design, an d another has been fund ed and is expec ted to enter the desig n phase in 2003. P rojects
include stream bank stabiliz ation, pond restoration, salt marsh and vegetated dune restoration and creation, and
freshw ater marsh restoration. Inform ation on the Cou nty's habitat restoration ef forts m ay be found on th eir homepage at:
http://www.westchestergov.com/planning.
Construction of stream bank
stabilizatio n, salt marsh and
freshwater marsh restoration, and
pond restor ation has been c ompleted
or begun; design of a pond
restoration has begun. F unding h as
been awarded to a complex riparian
corridor restoration project, whose
design is sched uled to begin in 20 03.
W estches ter County w ill seek
additional New Y ork State Clean
Air/Clean W ater Bond Act and
Environmental Protection Fund
grants and other fund ing for
additional projects.
New York State has aw arded, throug h the Clean W ater/Clean Air B ond Ac t, the W estches ter County D epartment of
Planning $ 1 million, to be matc hed with $1 million in Coun ty and mun icipal fund ing, to condu ct dredg ing and water q uality
improvement projects in the Sheldrake Lake and River corridor in Mamaroneck and New Rochelle, a tributary to Long
Island S ound. W orkers will remove 2 0,000 c ubic yards of sedim ent from S heldrake Lake, also kn own locally as
Larch mont R eservoir, an d 3,00 0 cub ic yards of sed iment f rom D ickerm an’s P ond, both of whic h have bec ome bad ly
clogged with silt in recent years. Stream banks along the river will be stabilized using bioengineering techniques and
water quality improvement structures will be installed at the lakes’ inlet. Aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation will be
installed on newly ins talled benches around the lake and pond. T his project w ill improve the treatment of stormw ater
before it enters th e Sound an d improve fis h and wildlife h abitat.
New York State and W estches ter
County will enter into an agreement to
allocate the grant and conduct the
project. Th e County will work with
involved municipalities to undertake
the planning an d design phases of
the project.
The T own of N orth Hem pstead rec eived a $75,000 Environm ental Protection F und (E PF) G rant for the E ast Sheets
Creek R evitalization Project.
The T own of N orth H emps tead will
conduct sediment samp ling, secure
environmental permits, develop plans
and specifications to remove debris,
including abandoned barges and
tugboats , derelict m arine salvag e, pile
driver and crane towers, and
sediment from East Sheets C reek.
The project will build on work
completed under previous EPF
awards.
The C ity of New York/P arks & R ecreation received a $1 50,000 Environm ental Protection F und G rant for Bron x River
W aterfront Access Enhancement and Floodplain.
The N YC P arks and R ecreation
Departm ent will improve 5.18 acres
of the Bronx River Park. The project
will remove non-native plants, restore
native plants and habitat, reconnect
the river to a portion of the original
floodplain, install boulder vanes and
bioengineered bank stabilization,
impr ove existin g path s, and remove
debris fr om the park.
33
Description
2003 Planned Action
A 450 -foot long strip of sandy du ne at the Edith G . Read San ctuary in R ye was restored . The C ounty of W estches ter
created the dune with $160,000 in federal funds. A field in front of the dune (adjacent to Playla nd Amusem ent Park)
used often for parking will be closed except for two or three times a year — Fourth of July, Labor Day and maybe
Memorial D ay — and p reserved other tim es as a bu ffer. Als o, a sign des cribing th e dune's ec ological importanc e was
placed at the s ite.
The LISS Small Grants Program provided funding to the North Shore (LI) Audubon Society for the Garvies point Museum
and Preserve in 2002 to restore a freshwater pond and habitat area. The $5,000 grant purchased plants for the
restoration.
In 2002 , the LISS Small G rants Pr ogram app roved a project to provide fu nding to the L ong Island Seaport and E cocenter
for a shellfish restoration project in Port Jefferson harbor.
L-2. HABITAT PROT ECTION AND ACQUISIT ION (CCMP TABLE 41, P .110)
Key Elements: Maintain the effectiveness of permit program s (e.g. for wetlands, stormwater, dredging) to regulate use and
development affecting aquatic resources and critical habitats. Expand acquisition programs and efforts to protect habitats from
development and establish a reserve system of areas of land and water of outstanding or exemplary scientific, educational, or
biological value. Manage Federal wil dlife refuges.
Description
2003 Planned Action
New York City's CSO facility planning projects for the Hutchinson River, W estchester Creek, the Bronx River,
Flushin g Creek and Bay, and Alley C reek are continuin g at various levels of plann ing, design , and cons truction.
Once completed, the facilities will minimize CSOs and protect habitats in these tributaries to the East River and
W estern Long Island Sound.
The U S Fish & W ildlife Service C oastal Program continued work on the ec ological comp onent for the LIS
Stewards hip System in 2002. T he FW S met w ith Regional P lan Ass ociation to disc uss G IS issu es and data
conventions for the eventual integration of the ecological and public us e compon ents of the S ystem.
Areas of D avid’s Island th at were disturb ed during r epairs mad e on Cons olidated Eds ion’s Y-50 elec tric transm ission
cable du ring M ay 2002 were su cces sfully res tored follow ing com pletion of re pairs. R estoration w as don e in
accordan ce with a N YSD EC T idal W etlands perm it.
New York State acqu ired more than 2 1 acres of environmentally sens itive land to expand Governor Alfred E . Smith
Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park. The acquisition will further protect the property from encroachment by
developers and increase the park to 1,287 acres. The property contains 21.7 acres of vacant land featuring
brush lands, wetland s, ponds , streams and forested areas. Th e wetland areas c ontribute to the Su nken Mead ow
Creek wetland s.
34
FW S will conc lude meetings with state
resource specialists and produce
recommendations on the list of exemplary
ecological sites. This work will be
integrated into the public use component
to provide a basis f or eventual selection
of at least 25 stewardship areas. The
FW S will support specific focus group
meetings with com mercial interes ts
designed to obtain reactions to the
stew ards hip s trategy.
Description
2003 Planned Action
New York State Governor Pataki has made the commitment to increase Public Access to Long Island Sound by
opening ten new sites within this decade. The initiative focuses on working with municipalities, environmentalists and
community leaders to provide more beaches, boat launches, open space and other recreational access points to the
public . The op ening of Niss equogu e River S tate Park ( 153 ac res) is the firs t of thes e sites on Long Is land that w ill
greatly enhance ac cess to the Sound for New Y orkers and tou rists to N ew York State.
An agreem ent has been reached to pu rchase th e Underh ill property in the Ham let of Jericho, in th e Town of Oyster
Bay. This is one of the last u ndeveloped tracts in Nass au Coun ty. Under the ag reement, the S tate, Nass au Coun ty
and the T own of O yster Bay will acqu ire 50 acres of environmen tally-sensitive land in a State-d esignated S pecial
Groundwater Protection Area above the County's sole source aquifer. The State will use $7.5 million from the
Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to acquire 25 acres on the site. Nassau County will acquire 16.67 acres for $5
million and the Town of Oyster Bay will purchase 8.33 acres for $2.5 million.
Voters in th e Town of Brookhaven, N Y, approved a bond to place $20 m illion in a fund for op en spac e acquisitions .
The purpose of the fund is to purchase open space and environmentally-sensitive land parcels.
New Y ork State h as acq uired 9.5 acres of land alon g the ban k of Mat tituck C reek in the T own of S outhold, S uffolk
County, that will expand public opportunities for recreation and access to Long Island Sound.
The State has an agreement to purchase
an additional 1.7 acres along the creek.
New York State released the 2002 Open Space Conservation Plan, a blueprint for continuing progress in preserving
critical lands and protectin g New Y ork's prec ious natural res ources. S ince 199 5, NYS has con served more th an
394,000 acres of land across the State with an investment of $378 millio n in Environmental Protection Fund and
Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funds. The 2002 New York State Open Space Conservation Plan, the most
comprehensive in State history, contains a description of programs and policies that affect the conservation of the
State's open s pace resou rces. T he Plan is p osted on the N YSD EC w ebsite at:
www.d ec.stat e.ny.us /webs ite/opens p/index.h tml.
Governor P ataki outlined a vision for
preserving an additional 1 million acres of
land over the next decade, through
partnerships with local governments, land
trusts, conservation groups and the
public. T he State's O pen Spac e Plan
includ es str ategies f or implem enting th is
initiative.
New York State awarded th e City of New Roch elle, Echo B ay W aterfront Plann ing Stud y, $40,000 towards N ew
Roch elle's waterfront redevelopm ent plan.
The p lan will foc us on d eveloping p ublic
and private uses, including significant
new pub lic acces s to the waterfr ont, on
three City-owned parcels and one
to-be-acquired parcel on the western
bank o f Ste phen son B rook on Ech o Bay.
New York State has agreed to purchase the 533-acre KeySpan property in Riverhead and Southold Townships. The
land has been identified in the State's Open Space Conservation Plan as a priority project for the Long Island Sound
coastal ar ea. The $ 16 m illion purc hase is being m ade by the N ew York S tate Of fice of P arks, R ecreation an d His toric
Preservation (“Parks”) through the Environmental Protection Fund. The waterfront parcel will protect a mile of Long
Island S ound sh oreline and allow for con tinued farm ing on more th an 300 ac res. Parks will own more than 200 acr es
of environmentally-significant Sound waterfront for the establishment of a state park while retaining development
rights to the agr icultural proper ty.
The T rust for P ublic Land , working with
the Peconic Land Trust, will own and
administer the agricultural lands and
make them available for purchas e to local
farmers. Proceeds from the sale of the
lands will support development of the
park for rec reation and environm ental
interpretat ion. In add ition, the his toric
Hallockville Museum Farm will receive 20
acres for agricultural pu rposes an d an
adjacent two-acre parcel will be made
available to the Long Island Antique
Power Association for a museum
featuring antique tractors and farm
equipmen t.
The ac quisition needs for the Bron x River Trailway are partially com plete, and Interm odal Surfac e Trans portation
Efficiency Act (ISTEA) Enhancement Grants for construction have been received.
The transfer of jurisdiction for linking
parcels from New York State Department
of Trans portation (NYS DO T) to
NYSDE C and from various NYC
Agenc ies to the NYC Departm ent of
Parks an d Rec reation is now need ed to
complete this effort.
35
Description
2003 Planned Action
The State of Connecticut Bond Commission awarded $10 million for continued implementation of the Recreation and
Natural H eritage Trus t Program (RN HT ) and $12 .5 million toward th e Open S pace and W atershed Lan d Acq uisition
Program (OS W LA). T he RN HT program en ables the C TD EP to pu rchase op en spac e for additions to or
establishment of State parks, forests, wildlife management areas, aquatic access, and natural resource areas.
During 2002, C T pur chased 3,529 ac res at a cost of over $10.8 M through R NHT . In addition to these ad ditions to
state parks and forests, CTDEP partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in purchasing more than 15,300
acres of land and easem ents from BHC for public acces s to hike, fish , and enjoy for generations . The C onnecticu t
B o nd C o mm i s si on a pp r ov ed t he ad d it io n al $ 80 M f or th e C T D EP p or ti on o f t h e $ 9 0 M p u rc h as e pr ic e , w i th T N C
contributing $10K. The CTDEP OSW LA program awarded over $14.8 M Open Space grants to municipalities and
land trusts to help purc hase an add itional 3,886 acr es at a cost of over $28.2 M .
CT DEP will close on the ac quisition of
fee ownersh ip and con servation
easements to permanently pr otect over
15,400 acres of open space la nd.
Continue to evaluate and acquire land
throug h the R NH T pr ogram. Curr ently
there are over 49 pur chase an d sales
agreements pending and over 28
properties bein g actively pursu ed for
acquisition.
The C TD EP w ill initiate a multi-year
inventory and mapping of all open space
l an d in C T .
The goals of Conn ecticut’s open spac e acquisition p rogram are to ac quire 10 per cent of the s tate’s land area as open
space held by the state, and not less than 11 percent of the state’s land area held by municipalities, water companies,
or nonprofit land conservation org anizations as op en spac e. The state c urrently owns 230,93 0 acres in its system of
state park, fores t, wildlife, fishery, and natural resourc e managem ent areas. As of 2002 , the CT DEP has ach ieved
72 percent of the 320,576 acre goal of open space land targeted for state acquisition. Municipalities, nonprofit land
conservation org anizations, and w ater compan ies own 22 5,030 ac res of their targeted goal of 352,6 00 acres (64% ).
To date 67.7 percent of the total combined goal has been achieved. Combined, these CT entities currently hold 14
percent of C onnecticu t’s land area as open space.
L-3. INVENTORIES AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL HABITATS
(CCM P TABLE 42, P.112)
Key Elements: Develop habitat management strategies for specific complexes or regions using a watershed perspective.
Description
2003 Planned Action
NO AA’s Off ice of Res ponse and Restoration c ompleted the pr oduction of E nvironmental S ensitivity Index (ES I)
maps, p rinted in Dec ember 20 01. CT DEP obtained hard c opy ESI atlases and electronic data in 2002 , and has
reformatted th e electronic data into a for m that is c ompatible with C T G IS data. T his map ping also inc ludes
W estchester County and portions of Queens County in New York.
Project c omplete.
CTDEP continues to assist the CT Corporate W etland Restoration Program (CW RP). Several new corporations
have donated bus inesses and services in 2002. N ortheast U tilities has convened an advisory board th at meets
regularly. The B oard is working towards attrac ting new c orporate donors , donation of con sulting eng ineering services
and has provided funding towards two new projects, a wetland restoration project in Old Saybrook and a riverine
migratory corrid or project in Waterford.
W ork will be ongoing in 2003.
In 2002 the LISS approved fun ding for N YSD EC to s ponsor a c onference to s tudy tidal wetlands losses in th e LIS
coastal area firs t identified in 200 1. W etlands loss es were seen to be signific ant and are cu rrently unexplained.
Similar loss es were noted in Connec ticut by CT DEP , first noted at the F ivemile River in Darien.
A tidal we tlands los s con ferenc e is
planned for June 2003.
The Town of Brookhaven received a $50,000 Environmental Protection Fund Grant to prepare a water body
management pla n for Mount Sinai Harbor. The 455-acre embayment includes a designated Significant Coastal Fish
and W ildlife Habitat with extens ive tidal wetlands and s hellfish bed s, whic h accom modates 1 ,000 boats , and provides
water depend ent recreational opportu nities. Th e water body man agement plan will integrate hum an uses with natural
resource needs and identify specific actions to address ecological impairments.
36
L-4. MANAGING ENDANGERED AND THREAT ENED SPECIES (CCMP T ABLE 43, P.116)
Key Elements: Continue endangered species programs and develop lists of Long Island Sound endangered species to aid
management programs
Description
2003 Planned Action
A 200 2 CT DEP Long Island Sound F und gran t was award ed to the Qu innipiac R iver W atershed A ssoc iation for
$4,427 for the installation of an os prey platform an d perch pole in the Qu innipiac R iver Marsh involving youth
volunteers and creation of a waterproof guide about restoration of osprey populations.
The Lon g Island S ound Lic ense Plate
Fund w ill continue to award m onies for
habitat restoration and education
projects b enefiting LIS wildlife.
NYSDEC’s Natural Heritage Program updated its Rare P lant List in May 2002 . The 57 page docu ment is p osted on
the NYS DEC website at: http://www .dec.state.ny.u s/webs ite/dfwmr /heritage/plants.h tm.
The program annually reevaluates the
list.
In 2002 the LISS Small G rants prog ram approved f unding th e Maritime A quarium in Norwalk to c onduct a H arbor Seal
census in 2003.
In 2002 the LISS Small Grants program approved funding for Long Island University to continue the diamondback
terrapin study (Dr. Draud, PI).
The pr oject will be expanded to C edar
Beach in Mt. Sinai, NY in 2003.
L-5. MANAGING HARVESTED SP ECIES (CCMP TABLE 44, P.117)
Key Elements: Ensure safe consumption and enhanced production of harvested species through fishery management plans,
improved fish passage and habitat improvements. Support related programs such as oyster cultch placement, artificial reef
development, dredging windows, and incidental take of nontarget species or entrainment/impingement at industrial facilit ies
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DE P con tinues t o award g rants an d partic ipate in res toration of river ine migr atory corrid ors for anadrom ous fis h in
the streams and rivers of the state. In 2002 a $24,500 Long Island Sound Fund grant was awarded for the
construction of a fishway and adjacent eelpass at the Ingham Hill Pond Dam on Fishing B rook in Old Saybrook,
partnering w ith the Old S aybrook Land T rust.
A fish ladder was c ompleted to open f ish pass age at Bunn el Pond D am on the P equonnoc k River, Bridg eport, CT that
opened up 3 miles of riverine migratory corridor (RMC).
A f i sh w ay w as i n st al le d at B ea ve r Sw a m p B r oo k in E a s t L y m e t h at op e ne d 0. 6 m il es o f R M C .
A f i sh w ay w as i n st al le d at U p pe r M il l P o n d D a m on t he M il l B r oo k in O l d L y m e t h at op e ne d up 0 .7 5 m il es o f R M C .
Continue to w ork with partners to open
up additional fish passages and provide
funding for design and cons truction of
fish bypasses and ladders. The
preliminary anadrom ous fis heries
restoration workp lan has three
Connec ticut projects slated for
completion in 2003. In addition to the
Ingham Hill Pond D am project, J ordan
Mill Pond, W aterford and L ower
Guilf ord Lake on the Eas t River s hould
be completed.
A total of 4.35 r iverine migratory corridor (RM C) m iles in CT were opened up in 2002. T he total RMC habitat restored
in CT since 199 8 now stands at 42.5 miles. New York has reopened 1 mile, for a bi-state total of 43.5 miles toward
the LISS goal of reopening 1 00 river miles b y 2008.
The LISS goal is to restore 100 miles by
2008.
37
L-6. MANAGING EXOT IC AND NUISANCE SPECIES (CCMP T ABLE 45, P.120)
Key Elements: Develop measures to prevent the introduction of undesirable species and implement a program to reduce the
abundance of mute swans.
Description
2003 Planned Action
The LIS 2003 Agreement calls for development of a coordinated list of invasive species of concern in LIS by 2003.
Determine state lead offices and
comm ence work on identification of
common species.
The CTDEP LISS habitat restoration coordinator is the lead for removal of the invasive aquatic plant water chestnut
from waters of the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Three years of control efforts have resulted in neareradication of the infestations in the CT and Hockanum Rivers.
Continue r emoval efforts w ith use of
volunteers and h ire an intern to
coordinate volunteers and sur vey for
new infestations.
L-7. EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS OF LONG ISLAND SOUND (CCM P TABLE 46,.120)
Key Elements: Educate the public about the plants and animals of Long Island Sound and elicit volunteers to assist with
plants and animals monitoring programs.
Description
2003 Planned Action
The C onnecticu t Sea Gran t College Prog ram in coop eration with the LIS S upd ated and reprinted the booklet, Living
Treasures of Long Island Sound by Lisa W ahle and Nan cy Balcom . 48 pp. T he booklet is very popular w ith
elementary and s econdary sc hool teachers f or classr oom and field u se. App roximately 10,000 c opies of the booklet
w e re p ri n te d . C o p ie s m ay b e o b ta in e d b y co n ta c ti n g C T S e a G r a nt C ol le g e P r og r am ,
h t tp : // w w w. s ea g ra n t. u c on n .e d u/ P U B L .H T M L.
Distribu tion will continue in 2 003 as
quantities are available.
The LIS Habitat Res toration Team d eveloped the first s et of technic al chapters to s upport c ontinued imp lementation
of the LISS Habitat Restoration Initiative. The chapters are on tidal wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation, riverine
migratory corrid ors, fres h water wetlands , and grass lands. In 20 02 the H abitat Team u pdated the LIS S Res toration
Sites m ap, which was reprin ted and distr ibuted. Th e map is p osted on the L ISS w ebsite at:
http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis/reports/LISSHabMap02.pdf.
Planning for the production of the
remaining tec hnical reports is underw ay.
The LIS S Sm all Grant prog ram fun ded the:
The LISS Small Grants Program will fund
Southern Connec ticut State U niversity to
produc e a video tour of Outer Island in
2003. The program is also funding the
Suf folk C ounty C ornell C ooperati ve
Extension to p roduce a plan etarium sh ow
on the L IS lob ster f isher y.
1) Ansonia Nature Center in Connecticut to develop a horseshoe crab model for use in the tidal pool program for 447
school classes during 2002. The horseshoe crab model was displayed and dissected to explain its importance in the
e c os y s te m .
2) W aterfront Cen ter in Oyster B ay to develop an oyster cultur e demons tration project. T his project d eveloped
interpretive signs and created fact sheets and lesson plans for an aquaculture education program. The partnerships
that were establis hed as a res ult of this projec t also developed a video titled, “Th e Oyster in O yster Bay.”
3) The Connecticut River Shad Festival, which attracted 800 participants who saw demonstrations, exhibits and
participated in hands-on activities and a shad back.
38
L-8. DEVELOPING AN INFORMATIONAL DATABASE ABOUT LIVING RESOURCES AND THEIR HABITATS (CCMP
TABLE 47, P.122)
Key Elements: Develop and expand informational databases on living resources and their habitats with an emphasis on GIS
data for resource management
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DEP reformatted m any of its coas tal data layers for incorp oration into CT DEP ’s intranet brow ser-bas ed GIS
project called ECO (CT DEP c ontinues to work with Connecticut’s Department of Information Technology to make
these data available to the public over the internet.
Ongoing.
The U CO NN M arine Scienc es Center (Dr. K remer, PI) is conduc ting preliminary s tudies of s outheastern (C T) coves
to evaluate and model the impacts of nitrogen upon biological communities. CTDEP provided Dr. Kremer with a
CW A Sec tion 319 non point sourc e grant to furth er his nitrogen loading and m odeling stud ies for sh allow water
systems.
Final report is due in Fall 2003.
L-9. SOUND WIDE AND SIT E-SPECIFIC RESEARCH AND MONIT ORING (CCMP T ABLE 48, P.123)
Key Elements: Continue and enhance monitoring of living resource populations with an emphasis on fishery surveys,
colonial water birds, submerged aquatic vegetation, and lobsters.
Description
2003 Planned Action
New York City's Use and Standards Attainment Project conducted extensive biological sampling programs in the
E a s t R i ve r an d it s tr i bu t ar i es f o r i c h th y op l an k to n , b e nt h ic a n d e p ib e nt h ic b i ot a, an d f is h . S ed i m en t an d w at er c ol u m n
samp ling was condu cted s imultan eously. T hese p rogram s are develop ing data f or char acterizin g existing biotic
abundance and diversity, and habitat. Use attain ability is being evaluated and areas of opportunity are being
identified for restoring, enhancing and protecting habitats in the East River, its tributaries, the Hutchinson River,
Eastchester Bay, Alley Creek and Little Neck Bay in Western Long Island Sound.
The LIS S provided f unding f or CT DEP and NY SDE C to map eelgrass bed s in eastern L IS. An M OA w as developed
with the Nation al W etlands Inventory S ection of the U SFW S. Th e photographic flight took place in S pring 20 02.
The F W S Coas tal program c ompleted ph oto-interpretation of eelgras s beds and began f ield verification of su spected
eelgras s bed s bas ed up on the a erial ph otograp hy.
Comp lete final eelgrass m aps and rep ort.
L-10. LIVING RES OURCES AND HABITAT RESEARCH (CCMP T ABLE 49, P.124)
Key Elements: Identify priorities for research to fill gaps in our understanding of the Long Island Sound ecosystem and to
assist management of living resources.
Description
2003 Planned Action
In 2002 , UCO NN’s Departm ent of Pathob iology continued w ork begun in 2000 on th e causes of the LIS lobs ter
mortalities (PI- D r. French ). This work was f unded u nder the lISS Researc h Gran t program.
39
A final report is expected in 2003.
Description
2003 Planned Action
The Management Committee approved a LIS research fund of $350,000 in 2002 supplemented by the New York and
Connecticut Sea Grant College programs of $25,000 each for a total LISS research fund of $400,000. The LISS
funded five two-year research grants in 2 001 us ing advance 2 002 fu nding to s tudy:
W ork on these p rojects is expec ted to
culmin ate in 2003.
1) isotope tracers of nitrates in W estern LIS; (Dr. Faribanks, PI)
2) phytoplankton dynamics in LIS; (D r. W ard, PI)
3) water column oxygen production and consumption; (Dr. Kremer, PI)
4) salt marsh breeding sparrows; (Dr. Elphick, PI) and
5) new app roaches f or asses sing m utagenic ris k of contam inants in LIS . (Dr. M cElroy, PI)
The L ong Is land Sou nd Lob ster Initiative, f ormed af ter a July 2 000 C ongres sional app ropriation of $6.6 m illion in
federal funds to NOAA to research the scientific and economic impacts of the 1999 die off, continued in 2002.
Congress directed that approximately $3.5 million of those federal funds be dedicated for research investigating
potential causes . New York and Con necticut S ea Grant both received $165 ,000 each in federal fun ding to fac ilitate
comm unication of th e research f indings to lobs ter fishers , resourc e managers , and the pub lic. The lobs ter website
is: http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/LILobsters.
EPA, NYSG, CT SG, and CTDEP funded additional monitoring of bottom water chemistry, sediment chemistry, and
benthic org anisms in 2002 (D r. Cuom o, PI). Th e data will suppor t an evaluation of overall bottom water c hemical
analysis in western LIS and its potential impact on the Sound’s lobsters.
The final report is due in 2003.
CT DEP funded seven researc h projects totaling $166,8 96 throug h the LIS L icense P late Program in 2002 to:
Continue to f und and coordinate priority
LIS resear ch projec ts through the LIS
L i c en s e P la te p ro g ra m .
1. evaluate the results of efforts to restore tidal wetlands invaded by Phragmites australis.
2. docum ent population s izes of saltm arsh sh arptailed and seas ide sparrows to quantify the global im portance of
Long Islan d Sound tidal marsh h abitats for thes e projects.
3. determine th e effects of artificial lighting on b each-nes ting birds including piping plover and leas t terns.
4. install and m onitor a rain garden at the C ooperative Extension bu ilding to test the eff ectiveness of a rain garden to
remove pollutants f rom rainwater, w ith a focus on nitrogen rem oval.
5. evaluate factors im portant to bird abu ndance, s pecies ric hness , and breeding succ ess in Lon g Island S ound tidal
marshes.
6. study the population dynamics of horseshoe crabs in Long Island Sound through the use of sonar tagging.
7. test the utility of us ing isotopic s ignatures f or identifying sou rces of n itrate to Long Island Sound in the Quin nipiac
and Nau gatuck R iver watersheds .
40
Raising Public Awareness and Participation
Through Education and Outreach
A significant factor toward long-term CCMP effectiveness is the ability to increase public
awareness of and participation in day-to-day activities designed to protect LIS. Educating LIS
watershed residents and increasing the number of people that take an active interest in
protecting and restoring the Sound helps to nurture long-term stewardship ideals in local
communities. As the Sound is restored to a healthier state , public support based on these
CCMP Strategy:
The CCMP public awareness and outreach strategy identifies six major elements: 1) increasing
community awareness and stewardship; 2) promoting understanding; 3) facilitating public
participation; 4) increasing communication and cooperation; 5) enhancing education at all levels; and
6) securing funding.
Environmental Indicators/Results/Trends
Changing human behavior to improve the environment is an inherent goal of any environmental
education and public outreach program. While it is difficult, at best, to estimate the direct effects
of these programs on the population, several indirect indicators can be used. Demand for
information on the health of the Sound has been increasing from students, educators, researchers,
managers, and the public. The LISS world wide website has grown in the number of site visits over
the last several years to more than 156,000 in 2002. The LISS Small Grants public participation
program continues to receive more applications for projects than it can fund; these education and
outreach projects continue to complete important environmental work valued far in excess of their
cost.
2002 Highlights:
‘ In 2002, LISS outreach and education
program staff responded to 280 information
requests, developed and staffed displays at 7
public events that reached more than 7,000
people; and conducted 4 presentations to
combined audiences of 365 attendees.
CTDEP produced three issues of the LISSfunded publication, Sound Outlook, in March,
June, and October 2002.
Goes In the Sound.” Thousands of lapel
buttons, six-inch rulers, rubber fish-shaped jar
grips and paper shopping bags with this
message and the LISS logo and/or website
address were distributed to the public at fairs,
displays and other LIS educational events in
2002.
‘ LISS outreach and education staff conducted
or supported many workshops, seminars,
symposia, and conferences on LIS issues in
various locations throughout the LIS area
during 2002, such as the Earth Day 2002
informational display at Eastern CT State
University.
‘ Electronic “visits” to the LISS world wide
web page continued to increase, with more
than 156,300 recorded site “hits” in 2002.
The LISS website includes fact sheets, slide
shows, newsletters, LIS links, and key federal
and state LIS personnel contact information.
The LISS worldwide web page address is:
http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis.
‘ Through 2002, the LISS public information
and education Small Grants Program has
funded 100 educational, informational, and
habitat restoration
projects totaling over
$395,000. These projects assisted hundreds
of teachers and thousands of school children,
‘ The LISS developed and produced four
public service promotional products with the
LISS message, “If It Goes On the Ground, It
41
and produced more than 20,000 pieces of
LIS literature.
In 2002, the LISS Small
Grants program funded 12 local community
environmental education projects in New
York and Connecticut totaling $70,000.
‘ The CTDEP Long Island Sound License Plate
Research Fund distributed more than
$365,000 for projects that benefit Long
Island Sound in the following four categories:
Education and Outreach; Habitat Restoration;
Public Access; and Research.
‘ In 2002, NY NEMO made more than a dozen
presentations at local workshops and regional
conferences on Long Island. NY NEMO cosponsored a storm water conference with the
LISS and the Coalition to Save Hempstead
Harbor in September 2002 that was attended
by more than 130 municipal officials and
staff. The conference provided information
for mitigating nonpoint source pollution and
for municipal implementation of EPA Phase
II storm water management requirements.
‘ The CT NEMO program conducted three
regional workshops in Connecticut that
reached more than 300 municipal and
county officials, created a new “Reducing
Runoff” website in collaboration with the
CTDEP Nonpoint Source Program and
created a new semi-annual Connecticut
NEMO Newsletter.
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S UMMARY OF MANAGEMENT ACTIONS :
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATION
E-1. COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND STEWARDSHIP (CCMP TABLE 51, P.146)
Key Elements: The CCMP emphasized existing, and enhanced public involvement and education programs at local, regional
and national levels to promote understanding and management of LIS. The development of informational materials for
specific audiences including printed materials, public exhibits, educational curricula, and research programs were identified
as primary outreach and education mechanisms.
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DEP held two regional workshops in Glastonbury and Enfield, geared toward municipal land use decision makers in
non-coastal communities. Several fact sheets from the Connecticut Coastal Management Manual, produced by CT DEP,
were made available to participants. T he Manual is available on CT DEP's website
http://www.dep.state.ct.us/olisp/manual/manual.htm. A new "Focus on the Coast" workshop for coastal municipalities was
underway in conjunction with the University of Connecticut's NEMO program, Sea Grant, and T he Nature Conservancy, to
highlight the need to protect submerged aquatic vegetation, tidal wetlands, and migratory fish.
T he LISS reprinted and distributed 10,000 copies of the color brochure, Long Island Sound, an Estuary of National
Significance, and 5,000 copies of the Sound Support fact sheet.
Additional coastal management and
6217 workshops are planned in both
coastal and non-coastal towns. “Focus
on the Coast” workshops and materials
will also be finalized.
Continue to distribute publications and
posters and explore other venues for
LISS messages.
CT DEP updated some fact sheets and a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on the T MDL and proposed nitrogen Credit
Exchange Program. T he fact sheets have been posted on the CT DEP web site, http://dep.state.ct.us/wtr/index.htm.
Update fact sheets to reflect activity of
the first year of the Nitrogen Credit
Exchange program.
T he LISS Outreach Program:
Staff will continue to respond to
requests for information, provide
presentations, staff displays at events,
and publish the newsletter and other
pertinent materials.
1. responded to 280 information requests, developed and staffed displays at 7 events that reached more than 7,000 people;
and conducted 4 presentations to a combined audience of more than 365.
2. gave LIS presentations to 2 elementary, 9 high school, and 3 college classes informing over 400 students about LIS
issues, concerns, and ecosystem value.
3. did not print the UPDATE newsletter in 2002, but work was ongoing on 2 issues that will be printed in 2003 and
distributed to more than 4,200 addressees.
4. produced and distributed three issues of the CT DEP LIS newsletter Sound Outlook to a circulation of over 2,500.
T he LISS co-sponsored the 2002 Long Island Sound environmental educators conference, which was held on April 12,
2002 at the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium in Connecticut. T he LISS provided $2,500 in funding for the conference. LISS
staff participated in planning sessions for the conference, and staffed a LISS display and provided information on LISS to
more than 425 educators in attendance. Dr. Richard French of UCONN’s Dept. of Pathobiology and Principal
Investigator on the 1999 LIS lobster mortality event, was the keynote speaker.
Planning for the LIS 2004 Educators
Conference is underway. LISS
outreach staff will continue to
participate in LIS Educators meetings
organized by Save the Sound and held
quarterly at various locations around
the Sound.
T he New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS), in cooperation with the Connecticut Sea Grant College
Program, the LIS Foundation, the LIS Councils and Assembly, UCONN, CT DEP, and the New York Sea Grant Institute,
conducted the biennial LIS research conference on October 24-26, 2002. T he conference addressed historical trends in
LIS; sources of pollution; marine ecosystems; diseases and pathobiology; sediment forms and monitoring; water quality
and nutrients and algae. More than 150 people attended the session at UCONN’s Avery Point campus. LISS outreach
staff supported planning for the 2004 conference in 2002.
Planning for the 2004 research
conference is underway.
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Description
2003 Planned Action
In 2002 the NY Sea Grant hired a student intern from SUNY Stony Brook to assist with the LISS Small Grants program
through funding provided by NYSDEC; the student finished working in the office in May 2002.
NY Sea Grant plans to continue hiring
a student to assist with the small grants
program.
LISS and the Long Island Sound Watershed Alliance sponsored the 12th annual Long Island Sound Summit that focused on
Environmental Stew ardship in Your Backyard and Community. T he Summit was held at the NY Botanical Garden, Bronx,
T he LISS will continue to support the
13th Annual LIS Summit, which will take
place March 29, 2003 at the NY
Botanical Gardens.
NY, and was attended by more than 100 people.
T he LISS worked with the CAC and produced three new pubic outreach products in 2002 - LIS buttons with the message,
“If It Goes On The Ground, It Goes in the Sound”; LISS paper shopping bags and LISS pencils, both with the message, If It
Goes on the Ground, It Goes in the Sound, the LISS web site address and the LISS office telephone numbers. T hese
products were distributed by outreach staff a various LIS public displays and functions.
Continue to design and distribute
outreach products promoting
stewardship and environmental
awareness.
T o commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, IEC took part in National Monitoring Day, October 18, 2002.
Water quality parameters were measured in situ at 9 LISS stations. All data were input to the Year of Clean Water website,
www.yearofcleanwater.org .
T he LISS CAC Communications Subcommittee worked with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to insert an article on the
International Coastal Cleanup in the August 2002 issue of Making Tracks, the LIRR “seat drop” brochure. T he brochure
is placed on seats on all LIRR trains to provide information to passengers.
Future literature distribution and
posters for public places are being
planned by the CAC Communications
Subcommittee.
In 2002, NY NEMO provided over a dozen presentations at local workshops and regional conferences. A major
accomplishment for the year was the Long Island Storm Water Conference, which NY NEMO co-sponsored with the Long
Island Sound Study and the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor on September 24, 2002. Attended by over 130 municipal
officials and staff, the conference provided essential practical information regarding mitigating nonpoint source pollution
and municipal implementation of EPA Phase II storm water management programs. An important impact of the conference
was the endorsement by many of the need for intermunicipal endeavors, which is vital to effective watershed based
resource protection.
T he CT NEMO program conducted three regional workshops in CT reaching approximately 300 municipal and county
officials. Major accomplishments for the year included the creation of a new “Reducing Runoff” website in collaboration
with the CT DEP Nonpoint Source Program (http://nemo.uconn.edu/reducing_runoff), the creation of a semi-annual
“Connecticut NEMO Newsletter,” the production of a 27-page booklet, “Natural Resource-Based Planning for
Watersheds: A Practical Starter Kit,” and the creation of a “Sustainable Landscape Demonstration Project” with the
addition of a “Green Roof” and “Rain Garden” demonstration project at the Middlesex County Extension Center in
Haddam, CT . Information on the demonstration projects can be viewed on the web at
http://nemo.uconn.edu/case_studies/case_studies/demosite.htm. CT NEMO developed two new presentations,
“Conducting a Community Resource Inventory,” which was presented to the T own of Canterbury, and the first pilot
presentation of “Focus on the Coast,” which was presented in the coastal town of Old Saybrook.
For 2003 NEMO received five
applications for its COnnecticut
Municipal Initiatives Program form the
following municipalities: Winchester,
East Haddam, Colchester, Stonington
and the Pomperaug River Watershed
Coalition’s Land Use Committee. A
“Focus on the Coast” website will come
online by Summer 2003.
E-2. PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING (CCMP TABLE 52, P.147)
Key Elements: An important component of the Public Involvement and Education priority of the CCMP is keeping the partner
agencies and municipalities informed and abreast of LIS issues. It was the intent of the C C MP t o h ave the states of
Connecticut and New York incorporate LIS information into all related programs wherever possible. All coastal municipalities
are to be provided with information on CCMP implementation and how it would affect their cities and towns. Additionally,
the partners are to provide briefings to user groups and assess and support opportunities for training and educating the
environmental decision making community and regulated community on LISS CCMP actions.
44
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DEP LISS Outreach staff continued as contributing editor of Sound Outlook, the CT DEP Long Island Sound newsletter.
Continue to publish Sound Outlook and
T his newsletter is a cooperative effort between the Coastal Zone Management and National Estuary Programs at the state
level. Sound Outlook has a circulation of 2,300 and is available on the CT DEP web site:
cooperate with the LISS newsletter
UPDATE.
http://dep.state.ct.us/olisp/soundout/soundout.htm. Staff contributed seven articles and assisted in editing other articles.
T he LISS issued a number of press releases to publicize important events affecting LIS:
1. Environmental Stew ardship in Your Backyard and Community Focus on the 12th annual Long Island Sound Summit,
Continue to issue press releases as
needed.
March 4, 2002.
2. $5,000 Grants for Long Island Sound, August 9, 2002.
3. The Long Island Sound Study Funds 15 New York and Connecticut Community Projects, November 5, 2002.
4. EPA and States Sign Major Agreement to Clean Up Long Island Sound; EPA Provides $4 Million to Support
Restoration Efforts, December 4, 2002.
NY NEMO increased its participation on the NYS Nonpoint Source Coordinating Committee, during which it
communicated the needs and accomplishments of LIS municipalities in addressing contaminated storm water and through
which NY NEMO stayed abreast of state-wide developments in NPS management issues.
NY NEMO will continue its
participation on the NYS NPSCC
NY NEMO initiated a GIS Enhancement Project through grants received from NOAA and the Long Island Sound Study.
Work began in 2002 on the development of remotely sensed images, aerial photography and GIS geospatial illustrations
for use in NY NEMO workshops planned for decision makers in Suffolk County Long Island Sound Watersheds.
Data, illustrations and workshop
development will continue in 2003..
CT NEMO co-sponsored and participated in a training workshop for the “ISAT ” Arcview extension tool on October 24-25,
2002 at the UCONN Avery Point Campus. T he tool is designed to estimate the percent area of a watershed covered with
impervious surface. ISAT was designed around a prototype application designed by the CT Nemo project.
UCONN approved the creation of a new University Center, T he Center for Landuse Education And Research (CLEAR),
which was established in April 2002. CLEAR conducts remote sensing research, develops landscape analysis tools and
training, and delivers outreach education programs.
For 2003 a number of new research
products and educational programs are
planned that will focus on specific areas
of the landscape: coastal habitats,
urbanizing areas and areas where
forests are being fragmented.
T he LISS website at http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/lis was one of the most visited sites on the EPA Region I server, with
more than 156,300 “hits” in 2002, 50,000 more than in 2001.
T he LISS communications team will
work to update the web site during 2003.
T he LISS website will by hosted on a
private server in 2003, and a change in
the web address is anticipated.
In May 2002, the Commission and its interstate counterparts with New York membership co-sponsored the New York
Water Environment Association’s Legislative Forum in Albany, New York. Meeting in New York’s capitol gave the six
interstate Commissions the opportunity to emphasize to New York Legislature the scope of the combined agencies’ efforts
being undertaken to promote water pollution control and carry out water pollution abatement activities. On August 7, 2002,
the Commission’s annual Boat Inspection T rip toured a section of the Interstate Environmental District. Specifically, a 6hour tour of the upper East River and Long Island Sound, east to Norwalk, giving public officials, government agencies,
the press and the public an opportunity to view the waterways and discuss water quality issues.
IEC is planning to conduct the annual
inspection in August 2003.
45
E-3. FACILITATING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (CCMP TABLE 53, P.148)
Key Elements: The intent of the CCMP in terms of public participation is that "the public must be involved in setting policy
for the Sound . . . as well as participating in the cleanup of the Sound through hands-on activities." The LISS partners are
to provide financial and technical support for such activities as beach cleanups, habitat restoration projects, and storm drain
stenciling. The EPA and states of Connecticut and New York are to promote citizen involvement in educational and volunteer
monitoring activities in and around the Sound and providing technical assistance as needed.
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he LISS funded 12 small grants projects totaling nearly $70,000 in 2002. For example, Ansonia Nature Center, Suffolk
County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Solar Youth, Inc., Save the Sound, Inc., Sea Research Foundation, and Residents
for a More Beautiful Port Washington received small grants funding for environmental education and implementation
projects and programs for teachers and students.
LISS Small Grants funded 15 projects
for 2003. T he New York Sea Grant
program will continue to manage the
small grants program.
On June 1, 2002, Friends of the Bay held the second annual Bay Day in Oyster Bay. At the event, bilge socks were
distributed to inboard-engine boat owners. Funding for the project was from the LISS Small Grants program.
T he Manhasset Bay Protection Committee distributed bilge socks to boaters. T he bilge socks were distributed as boaters
sought pump-outs for their marine sanitation devices.
T he New York Sea Grant program distributed 15 Long Island Sound stencils with the message, Don’t Dump, Drains to
Long Island Sound, to one group. T he LISS reprinted one thousand copies of the LIS stenciling brochure in 2002.
New York Sea Grant will continue to
distribute the brochures and stencils to
interested groups.
T he CT DEP Long Island Sound License Plate Fund provided more than $124,000 in 2002 for education grants.
.
T he LIS Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) met in January, March, June, September and December 2002 to identify and
address issues concerning LIS and CCMP implementation. T he CAC:
Quarterly meetings are planned for
2003.
1. Increased its membership base by adding the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, the Nassau County Public Works
Department, the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, the Connecticut Coastal Audubon Center, the
Empire State Marine Trades Association, the Connecticut Maritime Coalition and The Sound School as participating
members in 2002.
2. Advised the Policy Committee of CAC priorities and recommendations for CCMP implementation in its June 14, 2002
letter.
3. Urged the New York and Connecticut Governors to sign the Long Island Sound 2003 Agreement in a July 8, 2002 letter;
the Agreement was signed by the Policy Committee on December 4, 2002.
4. Approved and sent a Resolution to the States of New York and Connecticut on June 26, 2002 requesting that all MS4s
in the LIS watershed be included under EPA’s Phase II storm water regulations.
5. In a September 12, 2002 letter, requested that the new LISS Science and T echnical Advisory Committee meet with the
CAC Living Marine Resources Subcommittee; the ST AC accepted the chair of the subcommittee as an ad hoc member.
6. Passed a Resolution of Appreciation to David Miller, who stepped down after serving as New York co-chair for 13 years.
46
E-4. INCREASE COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION (CCMP TABLE 54, P.150)
Key Elements: The CCMP commissioned t h e E PA and the states of Connecticut and New York, in combination with a
Management Conference public outreach workgroup, to help coordinate ongoing governmental and non-governmental public
outreach efforts. During the CCMP implementation phase, and thereafter, the partners are to encourage private and nonprofit groups to continue to develop and implement LIS educational and outreach programs.
Description
2003 Planned Action
CT DEP LISS outreach staff continued to provide technical information and resources (about LIS and LISS CCMP actions)
to CT DEP agency staff and to other state and federal agency partners to facilitate cooperation and outreach with each
other and the public at large.
Continue to provide information and
resources to state and federal agency
staff.
LISS outreach staff participated in the UCONN Dept. of Marine Sciences MYSOUND meetings to discuss opportunities
for outreach activities.
Staff will continue to attend MYSOUND
meetings.
EPA Region II Administrator Jane Kenny recognized the Westchester County Department of Planning, Watershed
Advisory Committee #4 with the EPA 2002 Environmental Quality Award for its work in developing a watershed
management plan (WMP) for the six municipalities within the Mamaroneck River, Sheldrake River and Mamaroneck
Harbor watersheds in Harrison, Mamaroneck T own, Mamaroneck Village, New Rochelle, Scarsdale and White Plains. In
addition to restoration work the WMP calls for public education and outreach efforts and revisions to municipal ordinances.
E-5. ENHANCE EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS (CCMP TABLE 55, P.151)
Key Elements: A key objective for the LISS involvement and education program is to develop, among the citizens of CT and
N Y, a long-term sense of environmental appreciation for and understanding of the Sound by enhancing educa t i o n a l
opportunities at all age levels. The States of Connecticut and New York are to work with appropriate school districts in their
respective states to develop Long Island Sound educational materials to integrate into existing primary and secondary school
curricula. The partners are to encourage natural history museums and nature centers to promote LIS issues within their
programs and provide support for teacher training and workshops integrating LIS issues.
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he CT DEP is providing free storm drain marker kits as part of a joint effort between the LIS Fund and NOAA to provide
more source pollution education for towns (especially Phase II) and other environmental education institutions.
CT DEP staff are working with the T own
of Stonington Planner on coordinating a
Storm Drain Marker project in town with
Pine Point School to install storm drain
markers in strategic areas, educate
high school students, and assist the
T own in its Phase II storm water efforts.
NY Sea Grant is a member of the Executive board of the NYS Marine Education Association (NYSMEA). Staff distributes
new LISS materials to members and keeps them informed of LISS activities. Staff assists with planning the NYSMEA
annual conference.
Staff will continue on the Board and
distribute information. Staff will also
assist with the organization of the yearly
conference to be held at Southampton
College, May 30- June 1, 2003.
47
E-6. SECURE FUNDING (CCMP TABLE 56, P.152)
Key Elements: Connecticut, New York and the EPA are to publicize grant opportunities whenever possible and to encourage
all organizations associated with the public involvement and education effort, both governmental and non-governmental,
to take advantage of the various grant programs available that provide funding for educational activities and products.
Private sector funding should also be sought when and wherever possible and identify other grant programs for which LIS
projects would be eligible.
Description
2003 Planned Action
T he CT DEP Long Island Sound License Plate Fund distributed more than $365,000 for projects that benefit LIS in the
following four categories: Education and Outreach, Habitat Restoration, Public Access, and Research. A list of past
awards is available on the CT DEP web site at http://dep.state.ct.us/olisp/index.htm.
CT DEP has issued its Request for
Proposals for 2003 with an application
deadline of March 12, 2003. Grants of
up to $25,000 will be awarded in May.
Since the inception of the LIS Small Grants Program, the LISS has provided funds for 100 projects totaling more than
$395,000. T hese projects assisted hundreds of teachers and thousands of school children, and produced over 20,000
pieces of literature. In 2002, the LISS provided grant funds totaling $70,000 for 12 projects.
15 projects will be underway in 2003.
T he 2004 small grants RFP will be
issued in Summer 2003.
LISS staff continued to make available information and announcements from a number of grant programs sponsored by
Federal or state agencies, including NOAA, USFWS, EPA research and regional or special educational grant programs,
NYS Clean Air/Clean Water Bond Act, and CT License Plate/Clean Water Fund programs.
Coordination and distribution of
information will continue in 2003.
48
Long Island Sound Study
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan
Actions
CONTINUING THE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
M1-1. Formally extend the Management Conference for a minimum of five years to continue coordination and oversee implementation of the management plan.
T he Citizens Advisory Committee will remain part of the Management Conference structure.
M1-2. Continue and expand the role of the EPA Long Island Sound Office, consistent with the requirements of the LIS Improvement Act of 1990. Funding is
available in FY 1994, but will be required in future years.
M1-3. Continue state program coordination and involvement in the Management Conference. Funding is available in FY 1994, but will be required in future
years.
M1-4. Maintain public involvement and education efforts with an added focus on local government involvement. Funding is available in FY 1994, but will be
required in future years.
M1-5. Establish delegation of authority to allow the EPA Long Island Sound Office to support projects of studies as authorized by the Long Island Sound
Improvement Act.
M1-6. Advocate modification to Clean Water Act § 320(g)(2) to allow the EPA to provide base funding through cooperative agreements to National Estuary
Programs that complete their management plans.
M1-7. Develop a coordinated monitoring plan to assess the effectiveness of implementation, considering innovative approaches and building upon existing
programs.
M1-8. Coordinate data management efforts between Long Island Sound and New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (HEP), including support for a
system wide data manager.
M1-9. Modify the current structure of the LISS as needed to oversee implementation of the plan.
M1-10. Ensure that the LISS is consistent with existing state coastal zone management (CZM) policies.
M1-11. Incorporate relevant elements of the plan into the state CZM program for federal consistency review.
M1-12. Continue to support and enhance data management, analysis and reporting.
M1-13. Prepare an annual progress report on implementation including recommendations to redirect efforts.
HYPOXIA
H1-1. T he states of New York and Connecticut will continue their point and non-point source permitting and enforcement programs as a primary mechanism of
pollutant load reduction. Fundamental to the direction of these programs are the states’ water quality standards and classifications that provide the basis for
management policies and decisions.
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H1-2. T he state of New York will ensure compliance with the consent order to upgrade the Newtown Creek plant to provide secondary treatment with biological
nutrient removal retrofit modifications.
H1-3. T he state of Connecticut will freeze nitrogen discharges and, if appropriate, explore opportunities to reduce nitrogen discharges at three industrial
facilities with significant nitrogen discharges.
H1-4. T he municipalities in the states of Connecticut and New York will implement biological nutrient removal retrofits to reduce the load of nitrogen to the
Sound on an interim basis.
H1-5. Conduct feasibility studies and pilot demonstrations for nitrogen removal at 13 of its [NYC] 14 sewage treatment plants, with actual design for Newtown
Creek.
H1-6. Westchester County will investigate sludge re-handling at their four facilities to determine if opportunities exist for nitrogen load reduction.
H1-7. T he state of New York will continue to seek to reach agreement with Belgrave, Great Neck East Shore, Huntington, Oyster Bay, Port Washington, and
Kings Park on permit modifications for implementing the no net increase in nitrogen policy.
H2-1. T he states of Connecticut and New York will continue to use their existing authority to manage non-point source pollution and appropriate federal grants
such as CWA§ 319, 604(b), and 104(b) to carry out projects that will help prevent increases and, to the extent practicable, achieve reductions in the non-point
source loads from high priority drainage identified in the CT and NY portions of the watershed.
H2-2. T he states of CT and NY are developing their coastal non-point source control programs, as required by §6217 of the Coastal Zone Management Act.
H2-3. T he states of CT and NY will continue to implement general storm water permit programs to control the discharge of storm water from industrial,
construction, and municipal activities, in accordance with EPA’s national program regulations. T hese permits will regulate discharges from construction
activity greater than five acres and from eleven industrial categories.
H2-4. T he states of CT and NY will continue to implement their existing permitting programs, such as the inland and tidal wetland programs, to address nonpoint nutrient control with respect to LIS management needs, as appropriate.
H2-5. T he states of CT and NY will implement the requirements of the reauthorized Clean Air Act to achieve additional nitrogen emission controls. Major
actions include reduction of nitrous oxide emissions through adoption of statewide enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs and stricter
emission controls for stationary sources such as power plants.
H2-6. T he EPA will make non-point source management of nitrogen and other pollutants identified by the LISS, through wetlands and riparian zone protection
as well as best management practices implementation, high priorities for funding under §319, 104(b), and 604(b) of the Clean Water Act.
H2-7. Investigate expansion of storm water permitting programs to regulate communities with populations fewer than 100,000 that border Long Island Sound
within high priority management zones.
H2-8. In cooperation with the state of New York, Westchester County is developing a non-point source management plan that will include implementing best
management practices for non-point source nitrogen control, monitoring their effectiveness and establishing a Westchester County management zone (or
bubble) for assessing compliance with the nitrogen load freeze.
T he LISS will explore extending the bubble concept to other management zones throughout Connecticut and New York state portions of the Long Island Sound
drainage.
H2-9. Westchester County will implement the recommendations of the County Executive’s Citizens Committee on Non-point Source Pollution in Long Island
Sound.
H2-10. Point and non-point nitrogen load estimates will be made in the City of Stamford to assess feasibility of a point/non-point source trading program. A
cost-effective mix of management options will be proposed that may be used to help decide how nitrogen reduction targets can be met once they are established.
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H2-11. New York state will pursue the expansion of the State Building Code to include provisions for erosion and sediment control and storm water practices
for all construction activities in order to prevent increases in non-point nitrogen runoff.
H2-12. Provide technical assistance to coastal municipalities to address impacts of hypoxia in their municipal regulations and plans of development, as
required by law.
H2-13. Advocate the use of the June nitrate test on agricultural lands to ensure that fertilizer applications to crops do not exceed crop needs.
H2-14. In addition to continuing general storm water permitting programs, the state of New York should determine if the general permit adequately regulates
nitrogen from activities subject to national storm water regulations.
H2-15. Explore the expansion of current requirements for federally licensed or permitted projects to obtain a water quality certification in New York to protect
water quality from sources of pollution to include all projects adjacent to wetlands and other sensitive areas (e.g., adjacent to wetlands) or those that exceed a
minimum size (e.g., greater than one acre).
H2-16. T he states of Connecticut and New York should develop a habitat restoration plan that includes a list of potential project sites and priorities. Wetland
projects that are in close proximity to priority nitrogen management areas should be highlighted.
H2-17. Evaluate Maryland’s Critical Areas regulations and the reported nutrient reduction benefits and make recommendations of the potential value of a
similar program for Long Island Sound.
H3-1. T he LISS will complete work on the LIS 3.0 model and the necessary management scenario projection runs.
H3-2. Develop LIS 3.0-based dissolved oxygen targets and nitrogen load reduction targets for each management zone.
H3-3. Establish a firm timetable for achieving, within 15 years, the load reduction targets by zone, with progress measured in five year increments.
H3-4. Develop zone-by-zone plans to achieve the nitrogen load reduction targets.
H3-5. Encourage and support development of innovative, cost-effective technologies to reduce point and non-point sources of nitrogen.
H3-6. Periodically recalibrate LIS 3.0 to reflect the changing conditions of the Sound and use it to explain these changing conditions and to evaluate proposals
to modify the management plan, as necessary.
H4-1. Increase funding of the Connecticut and New York State Revolving Fund Programs to meet statewide wastewater control needs, including Long Island
Sound nitrogen control needs.
H4-2. Appropriate $50 M to fund a Long Island Sound Challenge Grant Program, a significant portion of which would be used to ensure that the Phase III
nitrogen control efforts get off to a fast start with full local government cooperation.
H4-3. Fully fund the non-point source control programs under §319 of the Clean Water Act and §6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments to
support additional non-point source management activities.
H5-1. T he states of Connecticut and New York, New York City, and the Interstate Sanitation Commission will monitor dissolved oxygen and nutrients in Long
Island Sound, its major tributaries, and key sewage treatment plants.
H5-2. Develop a coordinated monitoring plan to assess the effectiveness of implementation, considering innovative approaches and building upon existing
programs.
H5-3. As part of a combined National Estuary Program Action Plan Demonstration Project and a CT DEP Long Island Sound Research Fund project, the EPA
and the state of Connecticut will complete a demonstration project designed to evaluate and quantify the benefits of a riparian zone in the denitrification process.
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H5-4. T he state of Connecticut, through its Long Island Sound Research Program, has solicited proposals to identify the role of riverine transport in
attenuating the load of nitrogen delivered to the Sound in the Housatonic or Naugatuck Rivers. If an acceptable proposal is identified, it will be a priority for
funding in 1994.
H5-5. T he state of Connecticut, through its Long Island Sound Research Program, will continue to fund atmospheric deposition monitoring of nitrogen a two
coastal locations through May, 1994.
H5-6. T he EPA Office of Research and Development will continue to develop regional dissolved oxygen criteria for marine and estuarine waters.
H5-7. T he NYSDEC will complete its initial study on the effects of hypoxia and disease on Long Island Sound lobsters.
H5-8. Continue long-term dissolved oxygen and nutrient monitoring of the Sound, its major tributaries, and key sewage treatment plants.
H5-9. Continue to monitor finfish and crustaceans of the Sound with emphasis on determining population response to low dissolved oxygen.
H5-10. Continue to monitor the effects of hypoxia on disease of lobsters.
PATHOGEN CONTAMINATION
P1-1. Continue CSO implementation and update overall management plans to assure implementation addresses bathing beach and shellfish closures and is
consistent with water quality standards.
P2-1. Implement the state nonpoint source management initiatives supported from Section 319 funding
P2-2. Develop state coastal nonpoint source control programs, as per Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Management Act to address the nonpoint source
pathogen load from the LIS coastal zone.
P2-3. Implement general storm water permit programs to control the discharge of storm water from industrial, construction, and municipal activities, as per
EPA regulations.
P2-4. Provide technical assistance to coastal municipalities to address impacts of pathogens in their municipal regulations and plans of development, as
required by state law.
P2-5. Pursue changes of the State Building Code to include provisions for storm water management.
P2-6. Initiate a pilot program to control storm water discharges using enforceable instruments (i.e., permits or consent agreements). Connecticut and New
York will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program for more widespread implementation.
P2-7. Expand current requirements for federally licensed or permitted projects to obtain a water quality certification to include all projects in sensitive areas or
where a contaminant or parameter is found to exist at or exceeding a threshold value.
P3-1. Minimize malfunctions of treatment systems and eliminate dry weather overflows and illegal hookups to storm sewers through aggressive management
programs. Ensure prompt notification and response and take quick enforcement action.
P3-2. Identify and take priority enforcement actions to control wet weather overflows from sewers caused by excessive infiltration and inflow.
P3-3. Implement a beach and shellfish closure action plan to take immediate corrective and priority enforcement actions addressing improperly treated
municipal discharges. Preventable incidents involving beaches and shellfish areas will be emphasized.
P4-1. During the permitting process, minimize the impacts of boat dockage facilities and temporary live-aboard anchorages by considering their proximity to
productive and certified shellfish waters, existing boat channels, wetlands, and critical habitat areas, and tidal flushing.
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P4-2. Consider the impacts of vessel discharges through appropriate resource management and recovery programs and limit or condition the siting or
operation of boating facilities as necessary to minimize such impacts.
P4-3. New York and Connecticut will apply to the EPA to create vessel No Discharge areas in specific embayments and harbors after ensuring the sufficient
availability of pump-out stations and treatment facilities.
P4-4. New York state has identified Huntington and Lloyd Harbors as areas requiring additional protection and the EPA has Public Noticed its tentative
determination that there are adequate pump-out facilities in these areas.
P4-5. Connecticut, through a 319 grant, will ensure completion of a marina and mooring area water quality assessment guidance document. Connecticut has
also completed a marinas best management practices project report for nonpoint sources of pollution, which may be used to develop requirements for use of
certain best management practices at marinas. New York state will review these documents for potential incorporation into state management programs.
P4-6. Complete regulations to require pump-out facilities as required by, and in accordance with, state law.
P4-7. T he states of Connecticut and New York have received funding from the Federal Clean Vessel Act to conduct a pump-out needs survey, determine the
effectiveness of existing facilities, develop and implement plans for construction of additional pump-out stations by marinas and prepare education/information
plans.
P4-8. Collect information on sewage discharge controls in Long Island Sound, disinfection chemicals used, boater education and sewage treatment plant
acceptance of pump-out wastes. Evaluate availability of treatment capacity for pump-out wastes and secure commitments from municipalities to accept these
wastes.
P5-1. Connecticut and New York are coordinating management actions with local governments when on-site septic systems are found to be failing and
impacting shellfish growing areas and bathing beaches.
P5-2. Continue and enhance management actions with local governments when on-site septic systems are found to be failing and impacting shellfish growing
areas and bathing beaches.
P5-3. Evaluate existing septic system controls (including system monitoring, required maintenance and repair and replacement of failing systems) to
determine if they are sufficient to protect coastal ecosystems and recommend changes to local governments.
P6-1. Develop and implement a public education plan, targeting specific audiences, in cooperation with federal, state and local public outreach experts and
environmental education.
P7-1. Review existing data and reports and the recommendations of the Monitoring Workshop to identify shell fishing or bathing area in need of further
assessment.
P7-2. Perform bacterial surveys of harbors and embayments to identify contaminated shellfish areas and potential sources of pathogens as required by the
National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
P7-3. Use seasonal or conditional certification of shellfish harvest areas, as may be warranted by water quality variations, under guidelines provided by the
National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
P7-4. Meet annually with health directors of coastal municipalities to refine monitoring and bathing beach closure protocols and share information
P7-5. Evaluate existing monitoring programs and, as necessary, make recommendations for enhancements.
P7-6. Conduct a workshop to determine appropriate and consistent methods for bathing beach monitoring and laboratory analysis and work to adopt, if
feasible, common methods.
P7-7. Implement the recommendations of the LISS Monitoring Plan to enhance pathogen monitoring.
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P7-8. Develop and conduct a dry and wet weather sampling program for specific drainage basins. Both states will evaluate this pilot program for possible
expansion.
P7-9. Assess the impacts of identified point and nonpoint sources and assign priorities to areas where management actions are most likely to be beneficial.
Priority criteria will include viability of the resource, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of management. Enhance state bacterial surveys of harbors and
embayments to identify contaminated shellfish areas and potential sources of pathogens.
P7-10. Support the efforts to develop a better understanding of the relationship between pathogen indicators and the risk to public health such as the National
Indicator Study.
P7-11. Along with supporting the National Indicator Study, investigate funding for a regional epidemiological survey to determine the relationship between
waters of varying indicator quality and public health.
TOXICS CONTAMINATION
T1-1. T he states of Connecticut and New York and the Army Corps of Engineers will continue to regulate dredging and the disposal of dredged sediments
through the existing permit programs.
T1-2. T he states of Connecticut and New York and the EPA will continue their pretreatment programs to ensure that toxic discharges to sewage treatment
plants are controlled. T he states of Connecticut and New York, through their Pollution Discharge Elimination System Programs, will continue to ensure that
facilities comply with their permit limits.
T1-3. T he states of Connecticut and New York and the EPA will apply pollution-prevention techniques, as appropriate, to both direct and indirect discharges of
toxic substances by emphasizing wastewater minimization, recycling of wastewater, and alternative processes and chemicals to reduce toxicity and toxics
loads and to minimize effects on all environmental media.
T1-4. T he states of Connecticut and New York will review municipal and industrial discharge permits to surface waters to reduce the allowable concentrations
of toxic pollutants from the previous permitted values.
T1-5. T he LISS will encourage adequate funding to continue and expand pollution prevention site visit programs targeting industrial dischargers to the
Sound and its tributaries.
T1-6. As part of the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program, total maximum daily loads, wasteload allocations for point sources, and load allocations for nonpoint
sources will be developed to ensure that water quality standards for mercury are met in the Harbor, the East River, and Long Island Sound.
T1-7. As part of the New York - New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program, the states of New York and New Jersey will establish water quality-based effluent limits
for copper, mercury, and six other toxic metals, as necessary. Permits will be subsequently modified.
T1-8. Support education on the environmental impact of using home, garden, and commercial hazardous chemicals and pesticides and continue to provide
guidance on how to minimize use of these chemicals and properly dispose of them through household hazardous waste collection.
T1-9. Evaluate mass loadings of toxic contaminants and determine their relationship to ambient water and sediment quality.
T1-10. Identify and assign priorities to toxic substances which should be banned from use and for which virtual elimination of discharge should be the goal.
T2-1. T he LISS will review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 1991 sediment chemistry and toxicity survey results of harbors and
embayments, when available in the Spring 1994.
T2-2. T he LISS will provide a preliminary review of the data on sediment contamination on a site-by-site basis. State and federal experts will evaluate the
problem at each site and recommend additional assessments needed to fully characterize the problem, ascertain the need for and feasibility of remediation and
prepare a remediation plan.
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T2-3. T he City of Glen Cove plus their Review Committee will evaluate the contamination of Glen Cove Creek.
T2-4. T he LISS will review and evaluate sediment remediation approaches developed in the Great Lakes ARCS Program and HEP.
T2-5. Conduct further assessments and develop site plans addressing the feasibility, technical approach, cost and value of conducting remediation activities
for Black Rock Harbor and Glen Cove Creek, where data may be sufficient to conduct case study analyses. Recommend other harbors for characterization and
feasibility studies to be conducted at a rate of two harbors per year.
T3-1. T he LISS will advocate the coordination between the states of Connecticut and New York to review health risk and advisory recommendations and
formulate plans to ensure consistency.
T3-2. Develop strategies for controlling loadings of contaminants for which seafood consumption advisories have been issued.
T3-3. Develop a strategy for identifying toxic substances of human health risk concern in Long Island Sound seafood species and tolerance levels for those
substances.
T4-1. T he mussel watch and benthic surveillance components of NOAA’s Status and T rends Program and the EPA’s Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program provide regular and systematic sampling of contaminant levels in the Sound.
T4-2. A monitoring workshop was held to integrate findings of the LISS and develop a comprehensive, Soundwide monitoring plan for toxic substances.
T4-3. Under the auspices of the New York- New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (HEP), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to develop a work
plan and budget to develop system wide models for PCBs, mercury, and other toxic pollutants that will provide the technical foundation for comprehensive
efforts to eliminate these contamination problems in the Sound-Harbor-Bight system. T he Corps of Engineers and other participants have agreed to seek the
funding necessary to complete these models. Special attention will be directed to fully account for nonpoint sources of mercury.
T4-4. Monitoring initiatives will be coordinated with the EPA Regional - Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) to further the
understanding of sediment toxicity and benthic community structure gradients in western Long Island Sound.
T4-5. Conduct site-specific characterization surveys of water, sediment and biota in harbors where active sources of toxic substances are believed to persist
at a rate of two harbors per year.
T4-6. Identify sources and sites of PCB loadings to the Sound ecosystem from in-Sound and NY-NJ Harbor Estuary sources. Focus on reducing and
eliminating PCB loadings on a priority basis, concentrating on areas of known contamination such as Black Rock Harbor.
T4-7. Monitor contaminant levels in selected estuarine organisms to ascertain their effects on the biology of the species and their effects on the edibility of the
species.
T4-8. Implement the recommendations from the LISS Monitoring Plan to improve contaminant monitoring.
T5-1. T he relationship between organism body burdens and their toxic response needs to be investigated as an important mechanism of toxic impact.
T5-2. T rophic level transfer and bioaccumulation effects of contaminants up the food chain need to be quantified to better manage both the aquatic community
and human health risk.
T5-3. While toxicity testing of sediments and waters is an efficient means of identifying toxicity problems, the relationship between toxicity and specific
causative agents needs to be determined.
T5-4. Evaluate the use of an ecological risk assessment approach, demonstrated in the LISS Black Rock Harbor Action Plan Demonstration Project, for more
widespread application to identify toxicity and its sources in embayments and harbors of the Sound.
T5-5. Continue to monitor finfish and crustaceans of the Sound with emphasis on determining population response to low dissolved oxygen.
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FLOATABLE DEBRIS
F1-1. Continue implementation of long-term CSO abatement programs to manage or eliminate all CSO areas remaining in the Long Island Sound region.
F1-2. Control discharge of stormwater from industrial, construction, and municipal activities in accordance with EPA’s national program regulations.
F2-1. Continue to implement the Pack It In/Pack It Out anti-litter campaign.
F2-2. T he New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program has developed detailed short- and long-term floatable debris action plans for the New York-New
Jersey Harbor.
F2-3. National Beach Cleanup Program. As part of this program, annual cleanups of Long Island Sound shorelines have taken place since 1988. T his
program costs $10,000 per year per state to coordinate and support volunteer efforts.
F2-4. Continue to implement Clean Streets/Clean Beaches anti-litter campaign.
F2-5. Conduct a demonstration project to encourage proper solid waste handling and recycling at five marinas.
F2-6. Expand involvement in Coastw eeks program to include a second beach cleanup in the spring, prior to the beach season.
F2-7. Continue to coordinate volunteers to paint stenciled messages on storm drains, such as Don’t Dump - Drains to Long Island Sound.
F2-8. Maintain clean beaches and minimize resuspension of debris back into Long Island Sound waters by: -Cleaning beaches in the evening to prevent
resuspension overnight; -Using solid waste receptacles with lids instead of the open mesh type; -Providing recycling containers in convenient locations; Using environmentally responsible containers for food and beverages at concession stands.
F2-9. Distribute a directory of volunteer groups in the Long Island Sound watershed that work on projects and activities to reduce marine debris.
F2-10. Encourage the public and manufacturers to promote recycling, use less packaging, and substitute products made from degradable material whenever
possible.
F2-11. Encourage marina operators to accept responsibility for litter control and recycling.
F2-12. Require floatation materials that are resistant to decomposition and fragmentation.
LIVING RESOURCES AND THEIR HABITATS
L1-1. Connecticut, New York, and federal agencies will continue to pursue restoration of degraded habitat.
L1-2. T hrough Connecticut’s coastal permit programs and consistency with the CT Coastal Management Act, applicants may be required to protect, restore
or enhance aquatic resources.
L1-3. Connecticut preparing a tidal wetland management plan that includes an identification of potential wetland restoration sites.
L1-4. Connecticut will continue the Coves and Embayments Restoration program to restore degraded tidal and coastal embayments and coves.
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L1-5. Connecticut, New York, and federal agencies currently administer programs for the restoration of habitats other than tidal wetlands such as dunes,
submerged aquatic vegetation, and coastal woodlands.
L1-6. New York is phasing out, and Connecticut prohibits, maintenance ditching of mosquito ditches in favor of selective use of open marsh water
management techniques to control mosquitos and restore pools and ponds on tidal wetlands.
L1-7. Coastal America, a cooperative effort of several federal agencies, is conducting a study in Connecticut to evaluate the impacts of transportation facilities
upon ten tidal wetland sites. T his study is sponsored by the CT DEP and undertaken by the USACE. When the study is completed, restoration plans will be
developed for those sites where a transportation facility is shown to be the cause of degradation. Restoration is expected to be implemented through a
combination of IST EA, Water Resources Development Act, Long Island Sound Cleanup Account funds, New York’s Environmental Protection Fund, and, where
appropriate, natural resources damages recovered under CERCLA or OPA90.
L1-8. Connecticut’s Coves & Embayments Program will complete nine restoration projects in progress and commitments to begin three new projects.
L1-9. Connecticut and New York should continue to pursue the use of funds from the following programs, and explore additional funding sources, to support
restoration and enhancement activities described in the previous recommendation: T he Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Intermodal Surface
T ransportation Efficiency Act (IST EA) Enhancement Program, the Partners in Wildlife Program,§ 319 of the Clean Water Act, Army Corps of Engineers
Section 22 Planning Funds, the Water Resources Development Act, National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants, the North American Waterfowl
Management Plan, Connecticut’s Long Island Sound Cleanup Funds, and the Coastal Zone Management Act.
L1-10. T he rapid displacement of native brackish and fresh tidal plant communities on the Connecticut River has been identified as the single most significant
habitat problem in this estuary. A specific restoration program for the control of common reed in these tidal wetlands needs to be implemented to check and
reverse the spread of common reed and develop the most efficient means of effecting this restoration. Control techniques need to be evaluated for the full
range of wetland habitat types on the river. Baseline surveys will be established and post-control monitoring over multiple years will be conducted.
L1-11. New York should continue to phase out maintenance ditching for mosquito control. T hese programs should receive additional support for selective
use of open marsh water management techniques to control mosquitos and restore pools and ponds on tidal wetlands.
L1-12. Obtain long-term funding for Connecticut wetland restoration staff.
L1-13. Connecticut and New York should develop a restoration plan for the full range of coastal terrestrial and estuarine aquatic habitats adjacent to and in
Long Island Sound. T he restoration plan will include a list of potential restoration projects and a priority listing of projects to be implemented. Preliminary
sites identified for future restoration in New York include: City Island ($300,000); Pelham Bay Park ($400,000); Wading River ($50,000); Sunken Meadow
Creek ($50,000); Crab Meadow ($50,000); and Mattituck Creek ($100,000). Other sites in New York where costs have not been estimated include Pugsley
Creek, Udall’s Cove, Oak Neck Creek, Frost Creek, and East Creek. Connecticut has estimated that ten priority sites could be restored for $750,000, or
approximately $75,000 per site.
L1-14. New York should strengthen their capabilities for implementing programs that restore degraded habitats. T his should be undertaken in cooperation
with the implementation of the Long Island Sound Regional Coastal Management Plan.
L2-1. T he states of Connecticut and New York and the USACE will continue to implement their permit programs and coastal consistency provisions of states'
Coastal Management Programs to regulate use and development of aquatic resources and critical habitats such as tidal and freshwater wetlands, intertidal
flats, submerged aquatic vegetation beds, beaches, and dunes.
T hese programs also regulate dredging and the disposal of dredged sediments at designated sites in Long Island Sound. Open water disposal is only
permitted at the designated open water sites and may only occur if the disposal will not cause adverse impacts to estuarine organisms.
L2-2. Connecticut will continue to reduce habitat degradation caused by storm water runoff projects (e.g. chronic dilution effects and sedimentation) through
the goal of retaining the first one-inch of runoff.
L2-3. Connecticut and New York have programs to acquire by easement, fee simple acquisition, or other means habitats important for populations of plants
and animals. T hese programs include the development of priority listings for acquisition and protection.
Connecticut and New York have land acquisition and management programs that use state funds and federal fund programs such as the Land and Water
Conservation Fund, the National Coastal Wetland Conservation Program, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan to protect and acquire coastal
lands and wetlands.
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L2-4. T he USFWS maintains a national system of refuges, which includes the Stewart B, McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Connecticut (i.e., Salt
Meadow, Chimon Island, Sheffield Island, Goose Island, Milford Point and Falkner Island Units) and Long Island National wildlife Refuge Complex in New
York (i.e., Oyster Bay and T arget Rock units).
L2-5. Congress has authorized the creation of the Silvio Conte Connecticut River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge within the Connecticut River Watershed
for the purpose of conserving, protecting and enhancing the Connecticut River Valley populations of plants, fish, and wildlife; preserving natural diversity and
water quality; fulfilling international treaty obligations relating to fish and wildlife; and providing opportunities for scientific research and education.
L2-6. Connecticut has established a Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program, the proceeds of which can be used for acquisition and management. T he
newly created state income tax form check off for endangered species, natural areas preserves, and watchable wildlife creates a fund that can be used for the
identification, protection, conservation, management, and education activities related to the above listed wildlife and habitats.
L2-7. Create a Long Island Sound Reserve System consisting of areas of land and water of outstanding or exemplary scientific, educational, or biological
value to reflect regional differentiation and variety of ecosystems and to include representatives of all of the significant natural habitats found in the Sound.
Where appropriate, sites will be selected from existing lands and wetlands held for conservation purposes so that acquisition funds will be directed towards
those lands in private ownership that are needed to complete the reserve system.
T he primary activities in the recommendation include site identification (2 years) and site protection through the development of management plans, acquisition
where necessary, and site management.
L2-8. Connecticut and New York should continue to acquire or protect through less than fee simple means, significant coastal habitats through funding
sources such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the National Coastal Wetland Conservation Program, the North American Waterfowl Management
Plan, Connecticut’s Recreation and Natural Heritage T rust Program, Connecticut’s Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program, New York’s Environmental
Protection Fund, and, where appropriate, natural resource damages recovered under CERCLA or OPA90.
L2-9. Acquire and protect those sites that are considered for acquisition in the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan. Sites include Oyster Bay
Harbor ($5 million); Porpoise Channel ($2 million); Plum Point ($1 million); Udall’s Cove ($8 million). Other sites on Long Island Sound that are among the
state’s highest priority acquisition sites include: Bronx River T railway, Udall’s Ravine, Alley Creek ($750,000); Long Creek and Mattituck Creek ($340,000);
Premium River ($750,000); and Cedar Beach Creek ($186,000).
L2-10. Acquire and protect those sites that are considered priorities for acquisition in Connecticut. T he Great Meadows site is the highest priority. (See
also Ongoing Programs portion of this table in the CCMP.)
L2-11. Encourage activities of existing Long Island Sound-specific land trusts and encourage formation of new trusts, to seek donations and easements of
localized habitat areas for the plants and animals of Long Island Sound.
L3-1. Connecticut, New York and T he Nature Conservancy will continue the Natural Diversity Database in Connecticut and the Natural Heritage Program in
New York. T hese programs collect, maintain, and update information pertaining to significant terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
L3-2. T he USFWS will continue the Southern New England-New York Bight Coastal and Estuary Project. T he project focuses on assessing and monitoring
the regional geographic distribution and population status of a large number of key species called Species of Special Emphasis and their habitats including
evaluating the threats to physical integrity of these habitats and the viability of species populations. Primary objectives are to determine and delineate those
regionally important habitats and species populations requiring both immediate and long term protection, conservation, enhancement, and restoration.
L3-3. T he NYSDEC will, on a pilot basis, develop a site-specific habitat management strategy for the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor complex. Phase II will
entail implementation of the identified strategy.
L3-4. Connecticut is identifying wetland complexes of statewide significance and general wetland protection strategies for areas located in Long Island Sound
and the Connecticut River. T his project has been funded by the EPA under §104(b) of the Clean Water Act.
L3-5. Develop a nomination document to recommend the designation of the Connecticut River estuary as a Wetland of International Importance for the purpose
of establishing a formal designation of this area to recognize the ecological significance of this ecosystem and to foster increased protection of its significant
habitat complex and living resources.
L3-6. Develop a strategic plan for the estuarine portion of the Connecticut River that will identify habitat and species issues/problems, monitoring, and
research needs and recommendations to foster increased protection of this nationally significant ecosystem.
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L3-7. Develop and periodically update a list of significant habitats, habitat complexes, and sensitive areas for protection and management. When completed,
habitat management plans will be developed for these areas. In New York this should be undertaken in cooperation with the implementation of the NYSDOS
Long Island Sound Regional Coastal Management Plan.
L3-8. Expand the Southern New England-New York Bight Coastal and Estuary Project to: 1) include the watersheds of Long Island Sound; and 2) reexamine
the habitat complexes previously identified in Long Island Sound based upon the most current listing of Species of Special Emphasis. Examine the complexes
more carefully to fine tune the management recommendations and implement these recommendations through state, county and municipal agencies.
L3-9. Federal habitat programs should develop a watershed approach to protection of living resources of Long Island Sound and their habitats, such as
development of a Connecticut River/Long Island Sound Management Unit by the USFWS.
L3-10. Designate portions of the Connecticut River estuary as a National Estuarine Research Reserve. A reserve designation will result in promoting
research that is directed towards resource management issues and provide facilities and programs for public education and interpretation.
L4-1. Connecticut, New York, and federal agencies will continue to implement their Endangered Species Programs in order to protect endangered and
threatened species that live in and adjacent to Long Island Sound.
L4-2. Develop a list of endangered and threatened invertebrates. Maintain and update the diversity database. Periodically revise the list of threatened and
endangered species. Expand the monitoring program, identify essential habitats, and develop recovery plans.
L4-3. Develop legislation or regulations in New York state that will minimize disturbance to the essential habitats of rare plants and animals.
L4-4. Revise and publish a list of rare and sensitive species associated with the coastal lands and waters of Long Island Sound.
L5-1. Development and implementation of fishery management plans, including research, monitoring, and conservation law enforcement activities.
L5-2. Management of shellfish aquiculture activities including resource monitoring.
L5-3. Improvement of anadromous fish passage opportunities including associated research and monitoring activities.
L5-4. Wildlife management, including research and monitoring activities in support of management programs.
L5-5. Activities that minimize mortality due to entrainment and impingement of eggs, larvae, and juvenile and adult aquatic organisms at industrial facilities.
L5-6. Define, revise, and coordinate the establishment of seasonal restrictions for dredging that minimize adverse effects on aquatic organisms, especially
finfish and shellfish and their habitats.
L5-7. Enhance implementation of interstate fishery management plans for Long Island Sound fishery resources.
L5-8. Expand efforts to bypass obstructions to anadromous finfish migrations on Connecticut tributaries to Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River by
constructing or installing fishways or fishlifts.
L5-9. Enhance municipal shellfish restoration programs.
L5-10. Enhance the Connecticut Oyster Restoration Program on public beds in state waters by stocking settling habitat (cultch) and conducting related
activities (e.g., resource sampling).
L5-11. Develop a marine biotoxin assessment program for shellfish.
L5-12. Develop artificial reefs in appropriate areas of New York waters to increase fishing opportunities, consistent with the New York State Artificial Reef
Development Plan. Plans have been developed to construct reefs in New York waters of Long Island Sound off Matinecock Point, Eatons Neck, Miller Place/
Mt. Sinai, and Mattituck Inlet.
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L5-13. Develop methods to reduce the incidental take of nontarget species and undersized individuals in fishing activities.
L6-1. Develop measures to prohibit or prevent the induction or release to Long Island Sound and its watershed of known or potentially undesirable species.
L6-2. Implement a management program to reduce abundance of mute swans that are causing losses of certain aquatic habitat types such as submerged
aquatic vegetation and certain types of emergent tidal wetland vegetation.
L7-1. Develop an outreach program to inform and educate the public about the plants and animals in Long Island Sound.
L7-2. Develop a citizens monitoring program specific to the plants and animals of Long Island Sound sufficient to aid managers in identifying problems and
assessing the effects of management efforts.
L8-1. Connecticut will continue its statewide Geographic Information System (GIS) Program to digitize spatial information and data for resource management
purposes.
L8-2. Connecticut has created a Long Island Sound Resources Center for the purpose of : 1) developing the full potential of estuarine related GIS
applications; 2) computerizing pertinent literature and data for rapid access through standard word search and spatial basis; and 3) completion of the
estuarine geology of Long Island Sound. Additionally, this Center is taking a leadership role in the development of side scan sonar mapping of Long Island
Sound that is now being overlaid with benthic community information. T his will become the foundation of future living species and habitat management
programs.
L8-3. Identify spatial data for living resources and habitat on a Sound wide basis and digitize priority data sets for incorporating into a Sound wide
Geographical Information System.
L8-4. Expand the data layers for living resources and their habitats on a Sound wide basis.
L8-5. Develop and maintain state databases and an integrated Long Island Sound database describing the living resources of Long Island Sound and their
habitats.
L8-6. Expand the side scan sonar/benthic habitat mapping program in order to create baseline information for management and conservation purposes.
L8-7. Maintain and enhance the Long Island Sound literature, indexing and GIS capabilities of the Marine Sciences Research Center at SUNY, Stony Brook.
L9-1. Connecticut conducts a Sound wide open water fishery survey that has become an integral component of the LISS monitoring and Management
programs. In addition, Connecticut conducts a nearshore finfish survey, and surveys of lobster, shad, anadromous herrings, Atlantic sturgeon, and shortnose
sturgeon (the latter is listed by the federal government as an endangered species). Other marine surveys include a survey of oyster recruitment (Connecticut
Department of Agriculture, Aquiculture Division) and recreational and commercial fishery statistics activities.
L9-2. Connecticut conducts nesting surveys of colonial water birds, Least T ern and Piping Plover, Osprey, waterfowl, a mid-winter eagle survey, and surveys
of diamond-backed terrapin, threatened and endangered terrestrial species, and other species of special concern.
L9-3. New York conducts an American lobster mortality project funded by the LISS. In addition, New York conducts the NMFS's Recreational Fishery
Statistics Survey, surveys of commercial fishery landings, seabird surveys, (e.g., ospreys, piping plovers, least terns), surveys of threatened and endangered
species and species of special concern, and other surveys as needed.
L9-4. Connecticut should pursue the construction and staffing of a marine science technology center at Avery Point with a research focus on Long Island
Sound.
L9-5. Enhance wildlife monitoring activities (e.g., seabirds, waterfowl, and marine turtles).
L9-6. Monitor the status and trends of eelgrass in the Sound and all species of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Connecticut River using remote sensing
and ground surveys.
L9-7. New York should initiate a nearshore fishery independent survey of Long Island Sound.
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L9-8. Continue the lobster mortality and disease monitoring project in Long Island Sound.
L10-1. Connecticut will continue the Long Island Sound Research fund. T his fund is used to foster research that addresses priority management issues in
Long Island Sound including living species and their habitats.
L10-2. Connecticut has funded the following living resources and habitat research: evaluation of the causes of declines of eelgrass; assessment of
contaminant levels in the greater scaup; changes in the phytoplankton community resulting from nitrogen enrichment; effects of hypoxia on bottom feeding fish;
vegetation changes in a restoring tidal wetland; and mapping of benthic communities.
L10-3. Identify priorities for management-oriented research about the living resources of Long Island Sound and their habitats.
PUBLIC INFORMATION & EDUCATION
E1-1. T he LISS and state public involvement and education programs are: developing printed and other educational materials for specific audiences;
exhibiting LIS materials at regional and local fairs and events; encouraging education and information on the Sound for urban populations; promoting the
importance of the Sound’s resources to children in the region; and, using public educational material of non-profit organizations.
E1-2. Support research conferences such as: the CT DEP conference to highlight its LIS Research Grant Program; the LIS Watershed Alliance Citizens’
Summit annual conference on the Sound; and the bi-state LIS research conference sponsored by local universities, Sea Grant programs, and the states.
E1-3. Coastw eeks, an annual three week celebration of marine and coastal environments is supported by both states.
E1-4. Enhance the LISS and state public involvement and education programs to provide additional funding to build upon the current outreach and education
activities with a new focus on interpretation and implementation of the management plan.
E2-1. Incorporate LIS information into all related programs conducted by state staff wherever possible.
E2-2. Provide information to all municipalities on the LISS and the importance of protecting and restoring the Sound. Special attention will be given to coastal
municipalities in the form of briefings by state officials to explain exactly how implementation of the plan will affect that particular city or town and how to work
cooperatively together to implement the management plan. Briefings will also be held for specific user groups, local officials, and elected representatives.
E2-3. Assess opportunities for training and educating the environmental decision-making community and provide technical information and assistance on
implementation of the plan to the regulated community.
E2-4. Utilize the Bi-state Marine Resources Committee to ensure Long Island Sound related legislation moves on a parallel track in both Connecticut and
New York and to help educate local governments and the public about the importance of the Sound and the successful implementation of the LISS
recommendations.
E2-5. Pursue reestablishment of funding for the Long Island Sound Resource Center at Avery Point and further development of a similar resource center in
New York to serve as clearinghouses and depositories for information about the Sound and investigate ways to improve funding for these centers.
E3-1. Encourage public participation in activities relating to the cleanup and protection of the Sound and provide support for activities including storm drain
stenciling, beach grass planting, and beach cleanups.
E3-2. T he LISS Citizens Advisory Committee will continue to provide guidance to the Management and Policy Committee and serve as a link between the
public and LISS management agencies. T he CAC has been instrumental in providing guidance to the Study and serving as a conduit between the
Management Conference and the public.
E3-3. Enhance funding for hands-on activities such as storm drain stenciling, beach grass planting and beach cleanups to allow the public to actively
participate in the cleanup and restoration of the Sound and learn more about its ecosystem.
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L ong Island Sound Study
Appe ndix
E3-4. Promote citizen involvement in educational and monitoring activities in and around the Sound and consider:
-Providing technical assistance to citizen monitoring groups;
-Developing a reward system for citizens participating in Long Island Sound protection and restoration programs;
-Developing environmental habitat kits and guide maps;
-Production and distribution of videos of Long Island Sound research cruises.
E4-1. Increase efforts to coordinate ongoing governmental and non-governmental public outreach efforts as the plan becomes implemented and encourage
private and nonprofit groups to continue to develop and implement Long Island Sound educational and outreach programs.
E4-2. Establish a public outreach work group to guide the implementation of the public involvement and education commitments and recommendations. T he
work group will work closely with and serve to complement the ongoing public outreach and education efforts of the Citizens Advisory Committee. T he group
will also be charged with determining funding resources for implementation of public involvement and education recommendations, consulting with staff on
tactics, working to provide coordination of public outreach efforts from both an internal and external basis, and assessing program effectiveness.
E5-1. Support ongoing actions that assist teachers in their efforts to integrate LIS issues into existing curricula.
E5-2. Continue Connecticut’s Long Island Sound High School Research Grant Program, initiated in 1990. T his program provides funding for students to
conduct research on the Sound and its watershed.
E5-3. Encourage natural history museums and nature centers to promote Long Island Sound issues within their programs.
E5-4. Work with school districts and, where appropriate, the Department of Education, in Connecticut and New York to develop Long Island Sound educational
materials and outreach programs for primary and secondary schools. Help teachers integrate Long Island Sound information into their curricula and provide
materials wherever possible. T his should include hiring a Long Island Sound education coordinator.
E5-5. Enhance ongoing actions to assist teachers in their efforts to integrate Long Island Sound issues into their existing curricula including the development
and support of teacher workshops.
E5-6. Consider a Long Island Sound High School Research Grant Program to provide resources to allow a variety of high schools to conduct research on the
Sound and its watershed.
A-14
Glossary of Acronyms
A
ACOE
Army Corps of Engineers
B
B
BAT
BMP(s)
BNR
BOD
Billion
Best Available Technology
Best Management Practice(s)
Biological Nutrient Reduction (Removal)
Biological Oxygen Demand
C
CAC
CCMP
CD
CD-ROM
CERCLA
CES
CSO(s)
CT
CTDEP
CTDOA
CTDOA/BA
CTDOHS
CTDOT
CVA
CWA
CZM
CZMA
Citizens Advisory Committee
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan
Compact Disc
Compact Disc - Read-Only Memory
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(Superfund)
Cooperative Extension Service
Combined Sewer Overflow(s)
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Connecticut Department of Agriculture Bureau of Aquaculture
Connecticut Department of Health Services
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Clean Vessel Act
Clean Water Act
Coastal Zone Management
Coastal Zone Management Act
D
DO
Dissolved Oxygen (expressed in milligrams per liter [mg/l])
E
EIS
EMPACT
EPF
Environmental Impact Statement
Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EPA)
Environmental Protection Fund (New York State)
F
FY
FFY
Fiscal Year
Federal Fiscal Year
G
GIS
Geographic Information System
G-1
L ong Island Sound Study
2002 CCMP Trac king Re port
H
HEP
Hg
Harbor Estuary Program (New York/New Jersey)
Mercury
I
ICM
IEC
IPM
ISTEA
Integrated Crop Management
Interstate Environmental Commission
Integrated Pest Management
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
K
K
k
km
Km2
thousand
kilogram
Kilometer
Square kilometer
L
l
LA
lbs
LIS
LISO
LISS
LISWA
liter
Load Allocation
pounds
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound Office (EPA)
Long Island Sound Study
Long Island Sound Watershed Alliance
M
M
MC
MEG
mg
mgd
mg/l
MPRSA
MSD(s)
MSRC
Million
Management Committee
Model Evaluation Group
milligrams
million gallons per day
milligrams per liter
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act
Marine Sanitation Device(s)
Marine Science Research Center (SUNY)
N
N
NDD
NDZ
NEIWPCC
NEMO
NJDEP
NMFS
NOAA
NOx
NPDES
NPS
NRCS
Nitrogen
National Diversity Database
No Discharge Zone
New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Nitrous Oxide
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Nonpoint Source(s)
Natural Resource Conservation Service
G-2
L ong Island Sound Study
2002 CCMP Trac king Re port
N (Co n t ’ d )
NRWI
NY
NYC
NYCDEP
NYDOT
NY/NJHEP
NYS
NYSDEC
NYSDOH
NYSDOS
NYSOPRHP
Norwalk River Watershed Initiative
New York
New York City
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
New York Department of Transportation
New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program
New York State
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Department of Health
New York State Department of State
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
O
O2
ODA
O&M
OLISP
Oxygen
Ocean Dumping Act
Operations and Maintenance
Office of Long Island Sound Programs (State of Connecticut)
P
P.A.
PCB(s)
PIE
PS
Public Act
Polychlorinated Biphenyl(s)
Public Information and Education
Point Source
R
RFP(s)
RNHT
Request for Proposal(s)
Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust (State of Connecticut)
S
SAV
SEP
SFY
SIP
sq. mi.
SUNY
SPDES
SRF
STORET
STP(s)
SWEM
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
State Environmental Protection (fund, CT)
State Fiscal Year
State Implementation Plan
Square Miles
State University of New York
State Pollution Discharge Elimination System
State Revolving Fund
STORage and RETrieval System (EPA Data System)
Sewage Treatment Plant(s)
System-Wide Eutrophication Model
T
TAC
TMDL
Technical Advisory Committee
Total Maximum Daily Load
U
UCONN
USACOE
University of Connecticut
Unites States Army Corps of Engineers
G-3
L ong Island Sound Study
2002 CCMP Trac king Re port
U (Co n t ’ d )
USCG
USDA United
USDOI
USEPA
USFWS
USGS
United States Coast Guard
States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of the Interior
United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Geological Survey
W
WAC(s)
WLA(s)
WMA
WPCP
WWW
Watershed Advisory Committee(s)
Waste Load Allocation(s)
Wildlife Management Area
Water Pollution Control Plant
World Wide Web
G-4
\
To obtain c opie s of this re port, c ontac t:
EPA L ong Island Sound Offic e
Stamford Gov e rnme nt Ce nte r
888 Washington B oule v ard
Stamford, CT 06904
203 97 7 -1 54 1
203 97 7 -1 54 6 fax
us.e pa@sne t.ne t
or go to the L ISS w e bsite at:
http://w w w .e pa.gov /re gion01 /e c o/lis
for an e le c tronic v e rsion of the re port.