HomeMy WebLinkAboutSuff Co/Cornell Coop/Eel GrCONTRACT FOR SERVICES
THIS AGREEMENT made this ,g Vday of ~E~emtgo_,~, 2001, between the Town
of Southold, a municipal corporation of the State of New York, having its office
and principal place of business at 53095 Main ROad, Southold, New York 11971
and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, haVing its principal
place of business at 246 Griffing Ave, Riverhead, New York 11901.
WHEREAS, the Town of Southold has passed a bond resolution authorizing
funding for the improvement and preservation of Town waterways, including
but not limited to, preservation of tidal wetlands, salt marshes, creeks, bays.
Long Island Sound, estuaries and fresh water wetlands all in the interest of
improving water quality and waterways; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Southold has an interest in initiating waterfront
revitalization programs and whereas the Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Suffolk County Marine Program has the expertise to implement these programs.
NOW THEREFORE, the Town of Southold and the Cornell Cooperative
Extension of Suffolk County mutually agree as follows:
I. The following exhibit is attached to this agreement and made part thereof:
EXHIBIT A - Program Description and Budget
II. In consideration of the payment by the Town of Southold of the sum of
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), the Cornell
III.
Cooperative Extension 0f Suffolk County agrees to conduct the programs
and provide services as found in Exhibit A, for the period of December 19,
2001 to December 19, 2003 and will provide a semi-annual progress
reports to the Town Board.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County shall secure and
maintain such insurance that will protect it from claims under the
Worker's Compensation Acts and from claims for bodily injury, death
or property damage which may arise from the performance of its
services under this Agreement, in limits of $1,000,000 and $2,000,000
aggregate liability for bodily injury and property damage. The
Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town from and
against all suits, claims, demands or actions for any bodily injury or
property damage sustained or alleged to be sustained by any party or
parties in connection with the alleged negligent performance or
negligent performance by the Contractor, its employees or agents or
any subcontractor and in case of any such action brought against the
Town, the Contractor shall immediately take charge of and defend the
same at its own cost and expense. In addition, the Contractor will
name the Town as an additional insured on any applicable policies.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AGREEMENT by
their respective representatives.
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
JeXatn Cochran, Supervisor
CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
OF SUFFOLK COUNTY
By: Paul al!lev s~.Y, B~oard~Pr ident
EXHIBIT A
Southold Town Waterfront Revitalization Initiative
A Proposal to the SoUthold Town Board
Submitted by
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Marine Program
246 Griffing Ave
Riverhead, New York 11901
12-4-2001
Introduction
This project proposes to conduct a two-year, four-phase effort to address needs outlined
in the Town of Southold Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP). This initiative
would contribute towards achieving the goals of the following policies as outlined in the
LWRP document:
1. Policy 1-14. LWRP Education
2. Policy 1-13 GIS Update
3. Policy 4-6 Shoreline Defense and Shoreline Inventory
4. Policy 4-6 Best Management Practices/Sto ,.rmwater Runoff and Protecting
Groundwater Quality
5. 9-6 Bay Mooring Plan
6. 11-6 Local Resource and Habitat Management Plans
Phase 1. Southold Waterfront Revitalization Project
GIS Component
Geographic Information System (GIS) technology is a valuable analytical tool
increasingly used for resource management, development planning and scientific
investigations. Essentially, GIS is a computer-based system capable of assembling,
storing, manipulating and presenting geographically referenced information. Geographic
data is any information that can be identified according to physical location.
From a municipal perspective, a GIS can link data sets together by common locational
data which helps different departments (Trustees, planning boards, zoning boards etc.)
share information. Any variable that is capable of being located spatially can be inserted
into the GIS database. Therefore, the only limit to how comprehensive a resource
database can be is the amount of time and effort put into developing and updating the
system.
The Town of Southold has initiated the development ora GIS through State grants.
However, as described in the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP), the Town
requires assistance in continuing to create a Natural Resources Inventory and Database
(NRID). The NRID is an essential first step for implementing other resource
management goals of the LWRP. Currently, the Town GIS contains information on tax
boundaries, land use, zoning districts, development rights and the 2% land bank for
Southold. We propose to build on the Town's existing database by overlaying
information specifically called for in the LWRP, such as inventory layers of natural
resources and shoreline structures within the Town. All information will be stored in a
format in which the Town is akeady capable of cataloging and manipulating, specifically
the MapInfo GIS soRware.
Our proposed GIS database will be composed of information extracted from three project
components: 1) Southold Town Creeks visual inventory 2) eelgrass management and
restoration efforts and 3) shellfish management and restoration efforts. Implementing
these components not only confers the advantages of performing valuable restoration
efforts, but in also providing essential data needed to fulfill one of the first priorities of
the LWRP; creating a resource inventory database for the Town. The following describes
the geographically referenced data, which will be obtained for each component.
Southold Town creeks visual inventory
-Inventory of shoreline structures along Town creeks. Photos of existing
structures (e.g. houses and docks) will be extracted from the produced videos and
linked to their corresponding tax map lot. Selecting any Creek-front parcel will
provide information such as acreage and will call up digital photographs.
-Database of shoreline defense structures. All shoreline-hardening structures
(e.g. bulkheads) will be mapped and linked to descriptive information such as
size, length, etc.
-Mooring field inventory. All mooring fields in Southold will be mapped and
linked to digital and aerial photographs.
-Navigational channel mapping. Previously and currently maintained channels
will be mapped and linked to aerial photographs.
Eelgrass Management and Restoration
-Historical eelgrass bed distribution. Locations of historical beds of eelgrass
throUghout Southold will be mapped and linked to descriptive data such as
density, health, etc.
-Existing eelgrass bed distribution: Current locations ofeelgrass beds will be
mapped and linked to digital (underwater) and aerial photographs.
-Long-term eelgrass monitoring stations. Comell Cooperative Extension eelgrass
monitoring stations will be mapped and linked to data such as digital photographs
(underwater) and monitoring findings.
-Previous and ongoing eelgrass restoration efforts. Cornell led restoration efforts
will be mapped and linked to digital photographs and restoration outcomes/
findings.
-Sites highly suitable for eelgrass transplanting. A map of sites determined to be
highly suitable for restoration activities will be created. The ability to produce
such a map will be dependent On obtaining funding from additional sources to
carry out the necessary multivariate modeling.
Shellfish Management and Restoration
-Cornell Cooperative Extension/Town of SouthoM seeding efforts. Map
representing locations where seeding (clams, oysters and bay scallops) has
occurred in 2001-2002 will be produced. The map will be linked to data such as
quantity of seed and time of dispersal.
-Proposed shellfish restoration efforts. A map will be produced depicting the
proposed efforts: scallop spawner sanctuary and oyster reef. These areas will be
linked to digital photographs and project summary documents.
-SPAT project activity. The locations of all SPAT operations within the Town
will be mapped.
-"Community garden". The location of the community garden will be mapped
and will be linked to digital photographs and description of program.
-Shellfish closure areas. A map with year-round, seaSonal and conditional
shellfish closure areas will be produced.
The final product will be a database geographically locating, describing, and depicting
both natural and structural resources on a Town-wide basis. GIS technology brings the
ability to develop a comprehensive inventory of natural resources and structures; using
various mediums such as maps, digital photographs, aerial photographs, word processor
and spreadsheet documents. Such a database should be considered to be a tremendous
asset, either as a stand-alone source of information or to be expanded upon to include
even more town resources at any time in the future. A detailed inventory of Southold
resources will greatly aid in their management and protection.
Visual Inventory of Southold Town Creeks
As a part of the GIS component for the Southold Town Waterfront Revitalization
Project, the visual inventory of the town's creeks would be executed with the use of
digital technology. Digital video will be used to handle three parts o£the GIS
documentation; first the digital format can be linked to the GIS database via standard
computer files such as mpegs (video) and jpegs (still photo). Second, video of each creek
can be stored and viewed on CD's, DVD disks or standard videotapes to be viewed at a
later date. Third, still images can be extracted from the video to highlight specific areas
of interest such as shoreline hardening, existing structures and wetland vegetation.
The equipment to be used will be Sony's VX1000 digital video camera and Sony's PC
100 digital video camera. The computer program to edit and extract the still images is
Canopus Corporation's DV Rex-edit RT.
In order to document the town's creeks, a list of all the creeks would be made and
categorized into size. A powerboat would be used to travel into the creeks, a set course
and distance from the shore will be followed for one pass and then a second pass to
document specific aspects of the creek (shoreline hardening, existing structures and
wetland vegetation). The videotape would be taken back to the lab and edited with
graphics as to what creek it is and other deScriptive information about the creek. Next,
working with the GIS technician to determine what still images are needed; those still
images would then be extracted and used in the GIS program.
Phase 2. Southold Town Eelgrass Management and Restoration Project
Project Need
Management of natural resources and conservation of valuable habitats are important
goals in any revitalization plan. For this reason, the Town of Southold identified the
development of"Local Resource and Habitat Management Plans" in their Local
Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP). However, when a resource/habitat has been
severely impacted upon, management and conservation efforts may need to be
complemented with active restoration actions. One such habitat, which has declined in
local waters, is the eelgrass. Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) is a submersed aquatic plant
that is a critically important to the ecology of shallow coastal waters. Eelgrass typically
forms dense meadows that have been likened to coral reefs in temperate waters. In a
recent review, Short and Wyllie-Echeverria (1996) point to an alarming trend for the
seagrass biome worldwide. Data, gathered from global sources, indicates that loss of
seagrass cover is on the rise when compared to losses reported from 1970-82. Although
losses are reported from several regions, hot spots are coincident with industrial centers
and urban areas (Short and Wyllie-Echeverria, 1996). It is clear that seagrass loss will
decrease the productivity ofnearshore systems (e.g. Thayer et al. 1984; Phillips, 1984;
Zieman and Zieman, 1989; Larkum et al., 1989; Wyllie-Echeverria et al., 1994). In
response, several U.S. coastal states have implemented or are designing policies to
protect current resources and restore appropriate sites (Batuik et al., 1992; Wyllie-
Echeverria et al., 1995).
Eelgrass populations in Long Island embayments have waxed and waned in the last
century. Although we lack quantitative data, anecdotal reports indicate that distribution
patterns were quite robust in the decade prior to 1931 (Smith, 1946). Interviews with
local baymen and long-time residents suggest that all of Southold Town's creeks
contained eelgrass beds at one time. Populations began to decline in 1928 with drastic
reductions apparent by 1931 during the height of the wasting disease epidemic (Cottom,
1933). Recovery began in the early 1940s (Cottom and Munro, 1954), although the
populations never reached the levels prior to the wasting disease. From 1969 to the
present, aerial photographs and interviews were used to create time-series distribution
maps of several sites for 1969, 1984 (sometimes 1980) and 1994 (Cashin Associates,
1996). Analytical analysis of these maps led to the assertion that eelgrass distribution has
been on a continuous decline in the Peconic Bay EstuarY, including Southold Town
waters. This decline can be attributed to periods of poor water quality, channel dredging
and the blooms of brown tide (Aureococcus anophageffrens) in the mid-1980s and early-
1990s. The combined pressure of all of these factors has taken its toll on the eelgrass
populations in Southold Town, and throughout, the Peconic Estuary.
This population decline is disturbing when the value of eelgrass to coastal waters is
considered. Eelgrass meadows are an important habitat for many species of fish,
crustaceans, and mollusks. In the Peconic Estuary, the growth and survival ofeelgrass is
intimately related to the success of the Atlantic bay scallop (Argopecten irradians). In
addition, numerous other species, including recreationally and commercially important
f'mfish and shellfish (e.g. Winter and Summer Flounder, Northern Quahog and Blue
Crab), rely on eelgrass meadows during some part ofthek life cycle. Declines in the
commercial landings of these species have coincided with the loss ofeelgrass habitat.
Eelgrass has been found to be a resource for waterfowl as well. Brant and Canada Geese
are known to graze on eelgrass during the late spring early summer, when the plants are
in seed. Eelgrass productivity has also been tied to the energy dynamics of deeper water
detrital food webs. The presence ofeelgrass in near-shore waters may also have an
impact on tidal marshlands and beach/dune communities. Eelgrass beds act as natural
baffles, reducing current velocity and wave force, thereby minimizing erosion and
protecting these systems. The Peconic Estua~nd has been characterized as a priority site in
the National Estuary Program and is the focus of our restoration efforts. Monitoring and
management of existing eelgrass has been identified in the Comprehensive Conservation
and Management Plan for the Peconic Estuary Program. In addition, eelgrass restoration
has been identified as a priority in the Restoration Plan for the Peconic Estuary.
In recent years, concern regarding water quality has prompted several local townships to
invest heavily in storm-water mitigation efforts. The ~overall water quality of the estuary
is at the highest it has been in decades as a result of these and other projects. Brown tide
has been an infrequent visitor to the local waters since the early 1990s, with the few
blooms being isolated to small embayments and creeks. Yet, despite these
improvements, there remains a lack ofeelgrass re-colonization to areas that are known to
have once contained lush eelgrass meadows. One hypothesis suggests that water quality
is not inhibiting the re-establishment of eelgraSs, but rather it is the lack ofpropagules in
these areas that is preventing natural restoration. Most areas, identified as having a
historic eelgrass presence, are effectively isolated from existing eelgrass beds by
distance, as eelgrass seeds generally disperse close to their paternal plants. If this
hypothesis proves viable, then natural replenishment of eelgrass populations in "isolated"
areas of the estuary may take decades. To this end, restoration projects are needed to
establish eelgrass to the now vacant areas of its historical range.
S°uthold Town has already entered into a commitment to conserve and restore the health
of its waters. Stormwater mitigation projects have been completed reducing road runoff
into Toxin creeks. The Town of Southold has also taken steps to restore vital habitats
that have been lost due to natural and anthropogenic events. In an effort to re-establish
displaced eelgrass beds to local waters, Southold Town partnered with Cornell
Cooperative Extension's Marine Program to secure a grant to fund eelgrass restoration
efforts. This grant included moneys to construct an eelgrass nursery (greenhouse) and the
materials and labor to implement restoration activities. The Southold Town Eelgrass
Restoration Program was launched in October 2001 with the transplanting of
approximately I000 eelgrass shoots into Town waters. Transplant methods were based
onthe TERFS (Transplanting Eelgrass by Remote Frame System) methodology
established by Fred Short et al. of the University of New Hampshire. A TERFS unit
consists of a weighted, metal, mesh cage to which eelgrass is attached via degradable ties
fabricated from crepe paper streamer material. Four frames were deployed to four sites
that were chosen based on historical presence ofeelgrass, Sediment type, water depth,
and infrequency of natural and man-made disturbance. Potential sites were presented to
the Town Trustees for consideration and finalized to include Dam Pond, Town Harbor,
Corey Creek, and Cutchogue Harbor. A total of 4 m2 of eelgrass was planted,
representing the test phase of the program. Field evaluation of the transplants will be
made in mid-December 2001. These trial plantings will allow for the frae-tuning of the
transplantation techniques and site selection criteria. Expansion of restoration activities
· in Southold Town is planned to begin in October 2002. Through these restoration efforts,
it is hoped that a valuable habitat will be re-introduced into Southold Town waters where
it will be conserved for future generations to enjoy..
Objectives
Given.that one goal of local resource and habitat management is to restore eelgrass in
Southold Town waters, this funding is intended to enhance our existing eelgrass
management and restoration program. This project will develop a Town-wide eelgrass
management plan and increase the scope, efficiency and ecological impact ofrest0ration
.activities through three specific objectives. The first objective is to expand the
geographic range of efforts by increasing plantings in the Town of Southold. The
Southold Town Draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan identifies a majority of the
Town creeks as potential sites for improvement. Re-introduction of eelgrass into creeks
that meet transplanting criteria, will not only provide habitat, but can contribute to
improving water quality. A second objective is to refine our techniques by incorporating
additional planting methods. Use of the traditional "staple method" (1994-i995) proved
unsuitable to local conditions. Since that time, other methods such as "sod plugs" have
been employed with greater success. Recently, our pilot plantings have determined that
new techniques, such as TERFS and broadcast seeding, may be highly suitable for use in
the Peconic Estum~. The final objective is to create a GIS-based "Local Resource and
Habitat Management Plan" for eelgrass.
Methodology
Transplantation of Stranded Robust Shoots
Large amounts of viable eelgrass plants (stranded robust shoots, SRS) with rhizome and
roots intact wash up on local beaches as a result ofbioturbation, scouring by strong
waves and shellfishing activities. Left alone these plants dry out within a matter of hours
or days and are incorporated into the beach profile as a result of natural sand accretion.
Collection, culture and division of these plants offer a low-cost, low-impact source of
eelgrass transplants. In the Pacific Northwest, Wyllie-Echeverria et al. (in ~prep) are using
SRS of eelgrass, collected from wrack lines, to restore damage by the deployment of a
submarine cable and preliminary results are favorable.
Culture of SRS will take place in the nursery facility (greenhouse). After collection,
shoots will be high-graded and only those with viable rootlets will be selected and
trans]3orted to the nursery and placed in the flowing seawater system. After new root
growth appears, shoots will be planted in a sediment medium designed for grow out.
Depending on the extent of growth, these propagules may be further divided to increase
the amount of transplant stock.
Transplanting of the stock will commence by mid-October. The method for transplanting
is TERFS, and requires the eelgrass stock to be tied to modular, metal frames. The
eelgrass is attached to the metal mesh of the frame by biodegradable ties fabricated from
twisted crepe paper streamers prior to deployment. Each frame covers an area of 0.25
square meters and can hold up to 100 eelgrass shoots. In the field, the prepared frames
are lower to the bottom and left for several weeks, until the plants anchor themselves.
After this period, the frames are carefully lifted from the bottom, leaving the newly
rooted shoots behind. Transplant areas will vary from site to site, but could range from 6
m2 to 25 m2 per site.
Seed Propagation
Several stUdies have discussed the collectiOn and sowing of wild eelgrass seed (Churchill
et al. 1978; Orth et al. 1994; Granger et al. 1996; Thom and Wyllie-Echeverria 1997).
Until recently, this method of eelgrass restoration had been marginally successful,
However, restoration work in the Chesapeake Bay by Robert Orth's group, from the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), has found broadcast seeding to be
increasingly successful. The one drawback of this method is the large number of seeds
that are required to offset seed predation and the low, natural vitality of seeds (ca~ 10%).
The restoration efforts in the Chesapeake require the collection of approximately 2 tons
ofeelgrass flowers to yield 7 million seeds (Orth and Fishman, personal communication).
Collecting this amount of material is labor-intensive, but requires little training, allowing
for the utilization of a large volunteer base. Once the flowers are collected, they must be
held in well-oxygenated, flowing seawater tanks until the ripe seeds are released. This
takes several weeks and requires several large tanks. Seeds can then be held until
October/November then distributed.
To eliminate the excessive handling of materials, a new system of processing and sowing
seeds has 'been devised. This method involves collecting large quantities of flowers as
previously mentioned, but instead 0fplacing the material in holding tanks, the flowering
shoots are packed into mesh cages equipped with floats and deployed in the field at the
restoration site. As the material decomposes in the cages, the seeds are released into the
water column where they immediately sink to the bottom. The floating cages, anchored
by concrete blocks, freely swing with wind and tides covering a circular area whose
diameter can be adjusted by the length of rope between the cage and anchor. Grouping
together large numbers of these floats can effectively seed a large area. This method has
been tested in a pilot project in Noyack Creek at the E.A. Morton National Wildlife
Refuge, Southampton, New York. After two months of deployment, all of the flower
material and seeds had been completely decomposed and dispersed.
The collection of seed material should begin toward the end of June 2002 and continue
into the second week of July. This timetable is subject to change as seed development
and maturation is highly correlated to water temperature. Cooler water temperatures
could push collection into July. Monitoring of seed development will begin in early June
and should provide a better, estimated harvest time. Harvest and stock of cages will be
completed by the end of July. Once the cages are deployed, they will be attended to by
volunteers. The flowers should be completely decomposed by the end of September
2002, at which time the cages will be removed: Seedling germination will not occur until
November, and, at that time, monitoring of seedling growth and survival will commence
using SCUBA and continue through the summer 2003.
Phase 3. Community-Based Shellfish Enhancement Programs for Southold Town
Background:
The Town of Southold has practiced shellfish enhancement for decades. A number of
policies of Southold Town's draft local waterfront revitalization program involve
shellfish:
Policy 2: Preserve historic resources of the Town of Southold.
Policy 6: Protect and restore the quality and function of the Town of Southold ecosystem°
Policy 9: Provide for public access to, and recreational use of, coastal waters, public
lands, and public resources of the Town of Southold.
Policy 11: Promote sustainable use of living marine resources in the Town of Southold.
The proposed programs in this section will address all four of these policies and will
build on the work Cornell Cooperative Extension has performed for the town in the past.
We propose to utilize SPAT (Southold Projects in Aquaculture Training) volunteers to
carry out much of the hatchery and fieldwork, thereby giving the public a vested interest
in the programs.
Proposed Actions:
1. Creation of an oyster reef in Mattituck Creek.
Mattituck Inlet and Creek has been an area fished for oysters (Crassostrea virginica)
when they are available. The creation of a "spawner sanctuary" or oyster reef at the
southern end of the creek may create sets of oysters to the nortl~ Surf clam, sea and bay
scallop shell will be acquired from Long Island and planted as a base for the oysters to
rest upon. Shell may also be used to harden up muddy areas where oyster larvae may
presently avoid. Cornell Cooperative Extension personnel and possibly members of the
Southold Baymen's Association will accomplish the planting of up to 20 cubic yards of
shell as a base for the sanctuary. The amount of shell required will depend of the site
chosen. A beneficial use determination (BUD) permit from the NYS DEC is akeady in
place -for this purpose in this water body. Up to 250,000 oysters would be placed on the
reef during the first year, sometime before June. This may require that the town's
hatchery production be overwintered until the following spring. SPAT participants may
also contribute oysters they have grown besides the 50% of their oysters that will be
returned to CCE as part of their agreement with the program. Many of these large oysters
returned will become part of the reef. The exact site will be chosen with the help of the
Baymen's Association, shellfish advisory committee and Town Trustees and Board.
Follow up studies of"cultch' in the area will be made to determine if a set occurred, but
there is no guarantee that the reef would be responsible for the set.
2. Creation of a bay scallop spawner sanctuary in Hallocks Bay and Hay Harbor,
Fishers Island.
Hallocks Bay has been the mainstay of the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians irradians)
fishery in Southold Town since the first brown tide in 1985. We propose to set up a
scallop spaWner sanctuary in closed waters (Narrow River or Little Bay) that will export
larvae to the waters to the west; i.e. the main body of Hallocks. The addition of 75,000
scallops of spawning size to a small area (about 10,000 square feet) that will be
untouched will allow the shellfish to spawn possibly more than once and enhance
harvestable stocks in the bay. CCE personnel as well as SPAT participants will grow the
scallops until the spring of the following year. At this time CCE, SPAT and the Southold
Town Baymen's Association will plant them in the sanctuary. The Sanctuary A1 be
monitored by CCE and SPAT to determine if and when the broodstock spawn; with the
understanding that any "bugs" found in Hallocks may be from broodstock in the main
bay and not necessarily from the sanctuary.
Hay'Harbor on western Fishers Island has historically held stocks of bay scallops.
Various enhancement methods have been attempted including seed planting and lantern
nets with broodstock scallops. It is thought that the scale of such attempts was too small
to make a great difference. We propose to duplicate the Hallocks Bay broodstock
sanctuary approach in Hay Harbor, placing up to 75,000 brood scallops in the southern
end (furthest from the inlet) in late spring.
Phase 4. Water Quality Education Program
Introduction
The Peconic Estuary system and The Long Island Sound are integral parts of the Long
Island economy and ecology. In order to sustain these valuable resources, we must
achieve a balance between the needs of the estuary's resources and the sometimes-
conflicting demands of the region's populace. Key to establishing this balance is an
educated citizenry that is willing to support, promote and actively participate in measures
to protect the estuary system at home, at work, and while recreating, and collectively act
as wise stewards of a shared public resource. Achieving this requires an intensive
education and outreach effort that is aimed at key audiences/stakeholders, as well as the
public in general.
Effective public education in the PEP and LISS is needed to develop the broad-based
public support needed to ensure that estuary program recommendations reach the
implementation phase. The ultimate goal of Public participation in the PEP and LISS is
to establish the public consensus that ensures long-term support and implementation of
the CCMP. The public participation program supplements and complements
Management Conference activities and advances the role of providing for public input to
estuary program decision-making.
Public Outreach and Education Strategy
In the Peconic Estuary system and eastern Long Island Sound, nonp°int source pollution
is a major issue ofconcem. Nonpoint source pollution is primarily generated by users of
the estuary, from many ordinary, every day activities. Thus the citizens, collectively,
contribute both to the problems and threats to the estuary system and to the solutions to
these problems. Each and every one of us living, working and recreating on the East End
impacts both of these important estuary systems through everyday actions - in both
positive and negative ways. Few if any individual actions made as a part of our day-to-
day living are likely to significantly affect the overall water quality, living resources or
habitats of the Peconic Estuary or the Sound. Consider, however, what happens if each
of these impacts are multiplied by the thousands and thousands of residents, workers, and
visitors in'the watershed. It is not long before the cumulative impact does affect these
estuaries. Because of this, the Peconics and the Sound could die the "death of a thousand
cuts" or be cherished, nm~tured and healed by a "thousand" environmentally thoughtflal
actions. Thus a creative, innovative, and effective public outreach and education strategy
is all-important in motivating and making a lasting positive impression on our East End
citizenry and stakeholders and thus a lasting positive impact on our most important
natural and economic resource - the heart of our region- our marine environment.
In an effort to educate and inform the general public about nonpoint source pollution
issues, and to develop a stewardship ethic at the citizen level, a public education
campaign will be developed and implemented. One significant watershed wittfin the
Town will be the focus of the project. The Town of Southold will select the watershed
and the education program will be developed and implemented by the Cornell Marine
Program. The watershed will be delineated as part of the project and an educational
campaign will be directed at residents, visitors and businesses within the watershed.
Issues regarding nonpoint source pollution in general, as well as items specific to the
identified watershed will be focused components of the education campaign.
Target Population: Residents, Businesses and Visitors; Development of basic and
background information and development of informational materials:
1. Nonpoint source pollution and stormwater rtmoffin general
2. Problems specific to the identified watershed
Delivery of the above information to the extended community:
a. placement of informational articles in local association newsletters
b. presentations to business/civic/service organizations in the community
c. placement of informational articles in the local press
d. development and delivery of informational flyers, factsheets, relevant road signage
and creative informational materials
References:
Batuik, R.A., R.J. Orth, K.A. Moore, W.C. Dennison, J.C. Stevenson, L.W. Staver, V.
carter, N.B. Rybicki, R.E. Hickman, S. Kollar, S. Birber and P. Heasley, 1992.
Chesapeake Bay submerged aquatic vegetation habitat requirements and restoration
targets: A technical synthesis. U.S. EPA. Contribution No. 68-WO-0043.
Cashin Associates, 1996. Peconic Estuary Program Submersed Aquatic Vegetation
Study--Final Report.
Churchill, A.C., A.E. Cok and M.I. Riner, 1978. Stabilization of subtidal sediments by
the transplantation of the seagrass Zostera marina L.. New York Sea Grant Report
Series.
Cottorn, C., 1933. Disappearance ofeelgrass along the Atlantic Coast. The Plant
Disease Reporter 17(6): 46-53.
Cottom, C. and D.A. Munro, 1954. Eelgrass status and environmental relations. Journal
of Wildlife Management 18(4): 449-460.
Larkum, A.W.D., A.J. MCComb and S.A. Sheperd, 1989. Biology ofSeagrasses. A
treatise on the biology of seagrasses with a special reference to the Australian Region.
New York: Elsevier Science Publishing Company, Inc.
Ortl% R.J., M. Luckenbach and K.A. moore, 1994. Seed dispersal in a marine
macrophyte: implications for colonization and restoration. Ecology 75(7): 1927-1939.
Phillips, R,C., 1984~ The ecology ofeelgrass meadows in the Pacific Northwest, a
community profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-84/24. Washington,
D.C.
Short, F.T. and S. Wyllie-Echeverria, 1996. Natural and human-induced disturbance of
eelgrasses. Environmental Conservation 23(1): 17-27.
Smith, J.D., 1946. Eel~ass. The Nassau County Historical Journal 9(2): 76-82.
Thayer, G.W., W.J. Kenworthy and M.S. Fonseca, 1984. Ecology of meadows of the
Atlantic coast: a community profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-84/02.
Washington, D.C.
Wyllie-Echeverria, S., A.M. Olson, and M.J. Hershman, 1994. Seagrass Science and
Policy in the Pacific Northwest: 'Proceedings of a seminar series. (SMA 94-1). EPA
910/R-94-004.
Wyllie-Echeverria, S. R.C. Phillips,' E.S. Hunn, N.J. Turner and M.L. Miller, 1995.
Eelgrass as a natural resource: Implications for formal policy. Pages 529-536 in:
prOceedings-Puget Sound Science Conference. Puget Sound Water Quality Authority.
P.O. Box 40900, Olympia, WA 98504-0900. 2 Volumes.
Zieman, J.C. and R.T. Zieman, 1989. Ecology ofeelgrass meadows of the west coast of
Florida: a community profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service BiOlogical Report 85.
Washington, D.C.
Budget (2 years):
Funds requested
CCE match
1 Project Manager and 4 Senior Investigators
1 Technician
1 Support staff
Total
85,700
15,000
2,500
103,200
Fringe Benefits (31.86%)
Equipmem and Supplies 12,500
Travel
Mileage 7,250
Boat time 6,250
Sub-total 129,200
Administrative fee (16.1%) 20,800
32,879
Bookkeeping fees, audit fees, liability insurances, workers comp, unemployment,
telephone, association services
Tot~ $150,000 $32,879
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Suffolk County
Education Center
246 GriffingAvenue
Riverhead, NY11901-3086
Tel: 631 727-7850
Fax: 631 727-7130
www.cce.cornell.edu/suffolk
Mary Wilson, Assistant Town Attorney
Town of Southold
PO Box 1179
South~old, NY 11971
Dear Ms. Wilson:
Enclosed please fred our fully executed contract with COmell Cooperative Extension of
Suffolk County for "Southold Town Waterfront Revitalization Initiative".
Very truly yours,
EI1c.
JAN
1 4 2002
TOWN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
Helping You Put Knowledge to Work
Comell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NYS College of Human Ecology, and
NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Comell University, Cooperative Extension associations, county governing bodies, and U.S. Depaflment of Agriculture, cooperating.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
George E. Pataki
Governor
Alexander F. Treadwell
Secretary of State
April 13, 2001
Division of
Coastal Resources
41 State Street
Albany, NY 12231-0001
Honorable Jean Cochran
Mayor
Town of Southold
PO Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Re:
Agreement Number C006158
Project Description: Eelgrass Culture Facility for the Peconic Estuary
Dear Mayor Cochran:
Enclosed is an approved copy of an amendment to the budget for the above cited project for your files.
If you have any questions regarding the enclosures please contact me at (518) 473-2466.
Sincerely,
Laurissa Parent
Clerk II
cc:
V. DeBraccio
J. McMahon
J. Cushman
Voice: (518) 474-6000 Fax: (518) 473-2464 E-mail coastal@dos.state.ny, us
www. dos.state.ny.us/cstl/csflwww, html
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Suffolk County
Suffolk County Marine
Environmental Learning Center
3690 Cedar Beach Road
Southold, NY 11971
Tel: 631 852-8660
Fax: 631 852-8662
www.cce.cornell.edu/suffolk
Jean Fuller . ,,~;4.9. ~"~i~?'~"~
NYSDOS ~.o~.
Coastal Resources, GO~d:~ '~ *~'~-
41 State Street
Alb~y, New York 12231
Re' Propos~ budget amen~ents to EPF ~C~
February 5, 2001
Dear Ms. Fuller:
Attached please find our proposed budget amendments for the Town of Southold EPF
Eelgrass Project. We hope that these proposed revisions to the existing contract with the
Town meet with you expectations and look forward to hearing from you concerning these
changes. Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions please
feel free to call me.
Chris Pickerell
Wetland Specialist
CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Marine Program
Helping You Put Knowledge to Work
Comell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NYS College of Human Ecology, and
NYS College of Voterinary Medicine at Cornell University, Cooperative Extension associatlons, county governing bodles, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating.
Appendix B
BUDGET SUMMARY
A. Salaries & Wages (including Fringe Benefits)
B. Travel
C. Supplies/Materials
D. Equipment
E. Contractual Services
F. Other
$ $10,155.00
$ $0.00
$ $0.00
$ $0.00
$ $95,845.OO
$ $0.00
TOTAL PROJECT COST
$ $106,000.00
Total State Funds ( 50 % of Total) $ $53,000.00
Total Local Share ( 50 % of Total) $ $53,000.00
Describe the anticipated project costs for each of the above cost categories in detail on the following
pages (i.e. the title and pay rare of municipal employees to work on the project, type of consultant to be
retained, type of equipment and materials to be purchased).
The Total of your BUDGET must equal the sum of the State Share and the Local Share as shown on the
Contract Face Page.
Appendix B (Budget Detail Sheet)
SALARIES & WAGES
TITLE
ANNUAL SALARY.
AMOUNT CHARGED.
TO THIS PROJECT.
Community Development Officer
$61,356.00
SUBTOTAL
$10,155.00
$10,155.00
IIB. TRAVEL
SUBTOTAL
$ 0~0()
SUPPLIES/MATERIALS
SUBTOTAL
$ 0.00
EQUIPMENT
SUBTOTAL
$0.00
E. CONTRACTUAL SERVICES
Contractual services r)rovided by Cornell Cooperative Extension to plan, design, construct and
operate an eelgrass culture facility in the Town of Southold, conduct experiments to deveiop ~'"+' ~
n- ,, 1~,, ti n project in the r~'~conic Estuary.
methodology, and implement an eel~ass _a~.sp .... ta.~o.. ~ ~ ~
SUBTOTAL $95,845.00
F. OTHER
SUBTOTAL
$0.00