HomeMy WebLinkAboutLI Sound Coastal Mgmnt Program 1999LONG ISLAND SOUND
Coastal Management Program
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Coastal Management Program
your coast, your future
The preparation of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program was
financially aided by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal
Resource Management, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as
amended.
The New York State Coastal Management Program is administered by the New
York State Depa~is~xent of State, Division of Coastal Resources and Waterfront
Revitalization, 41 State Street, Albany, New York 12231.
January 1999
GEORGE E. PATAKI
GOVERNOR
STate Of New YOrK
January18,1999
Dear New Yorker:
Long island Sound is one of New York State's great treasures. The Sound and its shore
lands provide us with a unique combination of habitats and open space, working waterfronts,
recreational opportunities and livable communities.
I am pleased to release the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program. This
program, developed with extensive participation from local govemments and citizens, sets forth a
clear vision for the Long Island Sound coast - a future of clean water, revitalized urban
waterfronts, restored habitats, good jobs, and more public access. The Long Island Sound
Coastal Management Program is a blueprint to achieve this vision.
Long Island Sound's unique places - its working harbors, its harborfront villages, and its
ecologically rich natural areas - will be celebrated. The Sound Program recognizes that these
special areas are the foundation not only for preservation of the Sound's environmental and man-
made assets but also for positive change in where and how development occurs. We will have a
strong economy where the working waterfront plays a key role and well-paying jobs are a reality.
Urban waterfronts will shine with new opportunities and renewed connections to this region's
proud heritage. Finally. our links to the natural world will be intensified by protecting and
restoring the areas where significant natural resources abound.
New York State, through the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and the Environmental
Protection Fund, is committing more resources to the Sound now than in any time in recent
memory. However, the State alone cannot realize the vision for the Sound described in this
program. We must create partnerships for the Sound, and together - governments, private
enterprise, citizens, the academic world - we will steer a course for an even better future.
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program is a significant achievement. With
the assistance and advice of the Long Island Sound Coastal Advisory Commission, the most
rewarding work is yet to come and our success will help assure that the Sound we treasure today
wilt remain so for future generations.
Very truly yours,
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER STATE CAPITOL ALBANY 12224
O
Table of Contents
List of Tables .......................................................... iv
List of Maps ........................................................... iv
INTRODUCTION ...................................................... 1
Chapter 1
CHARTING the COURSE ............................................ 3
A VISION FOR LONG ISLAND SOUND ............................... 3
The Developed Coast ............................................ 3
The Natural Coast ............................................... 4
The Public Coast ................................................ 5
The Working Coast .............................................. 6
IMPLEMENTING THE VISION ....................................... 6
Chapter 2
LONG ISLAND SOUND COASTAL BOUNDARY ....................... 7
Chapter 3
F1NDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS ............................... 13
THE DEVELOPED COAST ......................................... 13
Developed Coast Findings ....................................... 13
Recommendations for the Developed Coast .......................... 14
THE NATURAL COAST ........................................... 20
Natural Coast Findings .......................................... 20
Recommendations for the Natural Coast ............................. 22
THE PUBLIC COAST .............................................. 34
Public Coast Findings ........................................... 34
Recommendations for the Public Coast ............................. 36
THE WORKING COAST ........................................... 57
Working Coast Findings ......................................... 57
Recommendations for the Working Coast ........................... 61
Chapter 4
LONG ISLAND SOUND COASTAL POLICIES ......................... 70
SUMMARY OF POLICIES .......................................... 70
LONG ISLAND SOUND COASTAL POLICIES ......................... 72
Developed Coast Policies ........................................ 72
Natural Coast Policies ........................................... 75
Public Coast Policies ........................................... 82
Working Coast Policies .......................................... 84
Definitions ................................................... 90
Chapter 5
SPECIAL COASTAL AREAS ........................................ 95
MARITIME CENTERS ............................................. 96
Identifying Maritime Centers ..................................... 96
Long Island Sound's Maritime Centers .............................. 98
WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT AREAS .......................... 98
Identifying Waterfront Redevelopment Areas ........................ 98
iii
Long Island Sound's Waterfront Redevelopment Areas ................ 101
REGIONALLY IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS ...................... 101
Identifying Regionally Important Natural Areas ...................... 103
Management Objectives ........................................ 103
Long Island Sound's Regionally Important Natural Areas .............. 104
Chapter 6
ADVANCING the SOUND COASTAL PROGRAM ..................... 105
PARTNERSHIPS in IMPLEMENTATION ............................. 105
ACTIONS UNDERWAY ........................................... 106
Long Island Sound's Special Areas ................................ 106
Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act ................................. 110
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program ........................ 112
Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs .......................... 113
Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants Program .................... 116
Long Island Sound Study ....................................... 117
IMPLEMENTATION SUMMARY ................................... 117
ListofTables
1 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Westchester County ......... 44
2 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, New York City ............. 45
3 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Nassau County ............. 46
4 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Western Suffolk County ...... 47
5 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Eastern Suffolk County ...... 48
6 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations,
Western and Eastern Suffolk Counties .............................. 49
List of Maps
1.0 Long Island Sound Coastal Boundary ................................... 8
1.1 Long Island Sound Coastal Boundary Extension ........................... 9
1.2 Long Island Sound Coastal Boundary Extension .......................... 10
1.3 Long Island Sound Coastal Boundary Extension .......................... 11
2.0 Coastal Hazard Recommendations ..................................... 28
3.0 Westchester County Recommended Public Recreational Access ............. 50
3.1 New York City Recommended Public Recreational Access ................. 51
3.2 Nassau County Recommended Public Recreational Access .................. 52
3.3 Western Suffolk County Recommended Public Recreational Access .......... 53
3.4 Smithtown-Port Jefferson Recommended Public Recreational Access ......... 54
3.5 Eastern Suffolk Cotmty Ia] Recommended Public Recreational Access ........ 55
3.6 Eastern Suffolk County [bi Recommended Public Recreational Access ........ 56
4.0 Maritime Centers .................................................. 97
5.0 Waterfront Redevelopment Areas ..................................... 99
6.0 Regionally Important Natural Areas .................................. 102
Appendix: Executive Law, Article 42, {}923
INTRODUCTION
The Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act, Article 42 of the
Executive Law, is the foundation for the New York State Coastal Management Program. The
legislative findings declare that:
The social and economic well-being and the general welfare of the people
of the state are critically dependent upon the preservation, enhancement,
protection, development and use of the natural and man-made resources
of the state's coastal area and inland waterways.
The legislature further finds that it is in the interest of the people of the
state that coordinated and comprehensive policy and planning for
preservation, enhancement, protection, development and use of the state's
coastal and inland waterway resources take place to insure the proper
balance between natural resources and the need to accommodate the
needs of population growth and economic development.
THE LONG ISLAND SOUND COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program builds on the long-standing partnership
of state and local government in thc management of coastal resources.
The program draws its authority from Article 42 of the Executive Law. It refines thc existing
New York State Coastal Management Program and incorporates the existing array of
programs and laws governing activities in the coastal area. The Long Island Sound Coastal
Management Program is based on public consensus and close consultation with the state
agencies whose programs and activities affect the coast. Finally, it integrates capabilities of
state and local government into an enforceable program for thc Sound.
Thc Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program replaces thc state Coastal Management
Program for thc Sound shorelines of Wcstchester County, New York City to thc Throgs Neck
Bridge, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Its specially tailored standards are used for
consistency decisions made by the Depa~'t~ent of State and other state agencies except where
there is an approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. The program defines what
constitutes a balance between appropriate and needed economic development and protection
and restoration of the natural and living resources of the Sound. It complements the Long
Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, which focuses on
water quality in the deep waters of the Sound, by addressing the upland watershed and harbor
and nearshorc waters.
Local government priorities for the coast, expressed in local plans and in Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs, are supported by the Long Island Sound Cvastal Management
Program in two important ways. First, it establishes priorities and targets state capital and
program efforts to better reflect approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs. Second,
it provides resource protection and development information for use in periodic updates of
approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and in the development of new Local
Waterfront Revitalization Programs within the region.
Currently, of the 50 municipalities along the New York State Long Island Sound shore, ten
have approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and 14 are in various stages of
developing a local program. These communities, listed below, contain approximately 82
percent of the 304 miles of shoreline in the region.
· Village of Port Chester*
· Town of Mamaroneck*/
Village of Larchmont*
Village of Mamaroneck*
· City of Rye*
· City of New Rochelle
· City of New York*
Town of North Hempstead
· Village of Manorhaven
· Village of Sea Cliff
· City of Glen Cove
· Town of Oyster Bay
Village of Bayville
· Town of Huntington
Village of Old Field
· Village of Lloyd Harbor*
· Village of Northport
· Town of Smithtown*
· Village of Nissequogue*/
Village of Head-of-the-Harbor*
· Town of Brookhaven
Village of Port Jefferson
Town of Riverhead
Town of Southold
*approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
2~o~c~n
Chapter 1
CHARTING the COURSE
Long Island Sound is one of New York State's great treasures. The Sound and the land
surrounding it is a complex area of natural beauty, bountiful resources, and a rich living
history found in its buildings, villages, and harbors. It is one of the most intensely populated
areas in the nation, and one of the wealthiest.
These qualities continue to attract people and development to the Long Island Sound coast,
placing demands on both the natural and built environments. Decisions made today will affect
how the Sound will look in the future. All New Yorkers must meet the "challenge of the
coast" to restore and preserve its benefits for present and future generations--to achieve a
clean environment while providing opportunities for economic growth.
.4 VISION FOR LONG ISL,4ND SOUND
The vision for the Long Island Sound coastal area encompasses the tapestry of natural,
economic, and cultural resources that make it unique---
a Long Island Sound coastal area enriched by enhancing community
character, reclaiming the quality of natural resources, reinvigorating the
working waterfront, and connecting people to the Sound.
To better understand the significance of and opportunities presented by the land and water
resources of the Sound, the region is viewed from four perspectives--the developed coast, the
natural coast, the public coast, and the working coast. Each coast must be considered for both
its own intrinsic value, and its interrelationship with the other coasts. These four coasts are
the organizational foundation of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program.
THE DEVELOPED COAST
Theme: Enhance community character by improving the quality of existing
development, promoting a sense of connection to the Sound, and focusing
growth and investment to preserve the positive relationship between the built
and natural landscapes and between existing and new development.
A unique sense of place is captured in the mix of historic structures, traditional harbors,
residential areas, open spaces, working waterfronts, agricultural land, and tree-shaded country
roads that makes up the landscape of the Sound communities. These and other valuable
characteristics contribute to "a sense of the Sound" that must be protected and enhanced.
Improving the quali~y of existing development. Long Island Sound is a largely stable,
developed coast. Existing development can be enhanced to improve environmental quality
throughout the Sound and to meet the demand for more liYeable communities along the
Sound's shoreline.
Promoting a sense of connection to the Sound. Within each community, links to the Sound's
rich cultural and natural legacy should be forged at every opportunity. Development should
create a cdastal focus that emphasizes its connection to the Sound. Waterfront uses should
contribute to the coastal ambiance of a community and substantially advance physical and
visual access to the shore for the general public.
Charting the Course 3
Focusing newgrowth and investment. The natural and working landscapes along the Sound's
shore frame and define communities. The contrast and interplay of the green and the built
environment should be maintained and celebrated as essential components of community
character.
The quality of existing development and of new growth and investment must emphasize
excellence in design in order to enrich the Sound's communities. New development,
redevelopment, and existing development, both public and private, should:
· protect vistas and views of the Sound and its embayments
provide a sense of continuity with the past
· emphasize massing and clustering of structures and uses
· consider relationships among buildings, open spaces, and the water
maintain a scale compatible with the surrounding community or landscape
· include a range of landscapes from wild and natural to designed
· minimize conflicts with neighboring uses
· respect and incorporate cultural and built heritage
· protect distinctive places
~ HE NATURAL COAST
Theme: Reclaim the value and achieve sustainable use of the Sound's natural resources
by improving the quality and function of ecological systems, respecting the
dynamics of shoreline change, and providing high quality coastal waters.
The Sound's ecological systems, shoreline, and coastal waters sustain and complement human
activities throughout the Sound. The bond that connects people to the natural world and their
responsibility as members of the natural world must be recognized.
Improving the quality and function of ecological systems. The Sotmd's major ecological
systems must be restored and stewardship of the living mantle overlying both the Sound's
natural and developed landscapes must be improved. Enhancing the Sound's ecological
systems should be based on principles of:
preserving the diversity of native plant and animal species
protecting wetlands and significant habitats
· restoring native plant and animal populations and biological productivity
· safegu.arding vulnerable species and rare or exemplary communities
· managing potentially imperiled natural areas
Respecting the dynamics of shoreline change. The coast is not inherently hazardous: more
often, it is the inappropriate human interventions in the natural coastal processes of the
shoreline that create a hazard for human life and property. Avoiding inappropriate decisions
for locating structures is the first and most reasonable way to respect the dynamics of changing
shorelines. Allowing the Sound's shorelines to operate as natural dynamic systems and
restoring these natural processes also provide benefits of public access, scenic beauty, wetland
and water quality improvements, and erosion and flood protection. Human interference with
the Sound's shoreline dynamics will continue to result in a loss of these and other benefits--at
public cost. Accepting these costs is only appropriate in areas where public benefits clearly
outweigh public costs.
Providing high quality coastal waters. Both watershed approaches and efforts targeting
specific pollution sources are necessary to reverse the pervasive pollution that continues to
degrade the Sound's waters. Improving the Sound's water quality will depend on reducing
pollutants arising from existing development and will require participation of all levels of
4 Charting the Course
government, and the private sector. Several sources of pollution will need to be reduced to
improve water quality, including:
· nitrogen loads from municipal treatment facilities
combined sewer overflows
· vessel waste discharges
· discharges of floatable materials
· nonpoint sources
THE PUBLIC COAST
Theme: Connect people to the Sound and its public resources by improving visual and
physical access and by providing a diversity of recreational opportunities.
The Sound coast is one of the most densely populated landscapes on the eastern seaboard, but
few people are able to enjoy the expanses of the Sound's shoreline and waters. Only three
state recreational facilities exist. Communities providing waterfront access based on residency
requirements and overused public facilities are common. Each of these conditions inhibits
connection of the public to the Sound. Increasing access for the public will require innovative
approaches.
Improving visual access. Visual access to open waters of the Sound, expanses of natural
resource areas including wetlands and forest lands, village waterfronts, and working coastlines
are all important reliefs to densely developed areas. Limited physical access to the shore
heightens the importance of maintaining and creating visual access to the Sound. The
following opportunities must be advanced to increase visual access:
Public areas offering views of the Sound should be incorporated into a visual access
system that includes scenic roads and viewing points.
· Waterfront development, including landscaping, should not create a visual barrier or
intrude on the water's edge or surface.
Vegetation, particularly mature trees, should be retained as elements that frame vistas of
the Sound, its embayments, and landscapes.
Improving physical access. Creative partnerships with local government and land
conservation groups that would provide access must be advanced. Public open spaces should
be connected through a system of greenways and blueways to expand access opportunities
beyond a series ofuurelated access points. Existing public access areas must be protected and
improved, and new public access areas developed. Existing public access facilities should be
upgraded and expanded through ma'mtenance and capital improvement programs. Additional
oppommities on state-owned land that may be suitable for public access should be advanced.
Access along public lands and waters is a fight that must be protected. Uses that unreasonably
interfere with appropriate public use of its foreshore, underwater lands, or the water's surface
directly impair the public's fight to enjoy their resources.
Providing a diversi~y of recreational opportunities. The public lands and waters of the Sound
offer a significant recreational resource which is fundamental to the character of many of the
communities along its shore. Recreational and access facilities should reflect the myriad
active and passive recreational oppommities that the Sound offers. The needs of an aging
population and expanded opportunities for disabled users should be highlighted. In this area
of the state's coast, with limited recreational facilities in relation to its potential and demand,
a broad array of recreation and access options will be created by recognizing and seizing the
many small and non-traditional opportunities present along the Sound shore.
Charting the Course 5
THE WORKING COAST
Theme: Reinvigorate the Sound's working waterfront, its jobs and products, at
appropriate locations by protecting uses dependent on the Sound, furnishing
necessary infrastructure, providing business and marketing assistance, and
promoting efficient harbor operation.
The Sound and its embayments are valuable components of the state's economy. The waters
of the Sound are heavily used for commercial navigation and recreational boating; the living
resources of the Sound are harvested for food; the shoreline provides many locations for
water-dependent commercial and transportation uses. Protecting and sustaining this
infrastructure will result in both economic and environmental benefits.
Protecting uses dependent on the Sound. Water-dependent uses--waterborne transportation
of both passengers and cargo, commercial fishing, aggregate transshipment, ship repair, and
petroleum transfer--must be maintained and their economic survival enhanced to ensure that
basic regional needs are accommodated.
Furnishing necessary infrastructure. Infrastructure needs for this valuable component of the
state's industrial and transportation network vary widely and can best be supported in specific
areas where these water-dependent uses are concentrated. Identifying these areas of
concentration and coordinating the infrastructure needs is one of the strategies that will
support revitalization of the working waterfront. Harbors also require infrastructure to support
water-dependent uses. This infrastructure includes commercial fishing docks and facilities;
vessel maintenance services for ships, tugboats, and recreational craft; and safe navigation
channels.
.Providing business and marketing assistance. Waterfront businesses can benefit by locating
m developed waterfront centers which do not contain the most important concentrations of
natural resources and, therefore, where there are greater oppommities for expansion.
Marketing assistance is another means of economic support for the working waterfront,
including development of export markets for commercial fishery products. Environmental
quality needs to be improved, and simultaneously, regulatory processes can be expedited, if
they affect viability of water-dependent businesses.
Promoting efficient harbor operation. Harbor management plans and regulations can be used
to analyze, and minimize, the growing conflicts among harbor uses and between harbor uses
and natural resources in the harbors. Planning for harbor infrastructure is also necessary,
particularly for dredging of harbor channels, shoreline stabilization, and removal or reuse of
derelict structures.
IMPLEMENTING THE ~TSION
Thc Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program sets a clear direction for state
government to coordinate its actions and resources to address environmental and economic
concerns of the Sound coast. It also recognizes the critical partnership of the state and local
governments and the public in achieving this vision for the Sound.
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program sets priorities for state action, in part,
by concentrating state efforts on certain special places--waterfront redevelopment areas,
regionally important natural areas, and maritime centers. For each of these special areas, and
others as appropriate, the basic tools available to the state should be used, in cooperation with
local governments, to accomplish agreed-upon, site-specific actions which integrate
environmental, protection, economic development, and research programs.
6 Charting the Course
Chapter 2
LONG ISLAND SOUND COASTAL BOUNDARY
The New York State Long Island Sound coastal area extends from the New York/Connecticut
border to Orient Point and across the waters of the Race to include Fishers Island. The
westernmost extent of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program is the Throgs
Neck Bridge in New York City.
The waterside boundary is the New York/Connecticut state line in Long Island Sound. The
inland coastal boundary is the New York State coastal boundary, or the boundary as amended
by the approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs of the City of Rye, Town of
Mamaroneck, Village of Larchmont, Village of Mamaroneck, New York City, Village of
Lloyd Harbor, Town of Smithtown, Village of Nissequogue, and Village of Head-of-the-
Harbor. This boundary is shown on map 1.0.
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program makes minor modifications of the
coastal boundary to incorporate lands of high natural value within regionally important natural
areas. These boundary extensions are shown on maps 1-1.3.
Coastal Boundary 7
MAP 1.0
CONNECTICUT
LONG ISLAND SOUND COASTAL BOUNDARY
Long island sound
New
York
City
Nassa
Suffolk
Atlantic Ocean
KEY
Coastal boundary
- -- Watershed boundary
I0
Scale: 1" = 10 miles Map prepared by NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources, GIS unit, May 1998
MAP 1.1
LONG ISLAND SOUND
COASTAL BOUNDARY EXTENSION
NORTH
Oyster Bay Harbor
KEY
~ - Coastal boundary
........ Coastal boundary extension
10 0 10
20 Miles
Scale: 1" = 10 miles
Map prepared by NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources, GIS Unit, May 1998
MAP 1.2
LONG ISLAND SOUND
COASTAL BOUNDARY EXTENSION
NORTH
KEY
Coastal boundary
........ Coastal boundary extension
10 0 10
Scale: 1" = 10 miles
Map prepared by NYSDO$ Division of Coastal Resources, GIS Unit, May 1998
LONG ISLAND SOUND
No~hpo~ Bay
MAP1.3
LONGISLANDSOUND
COASTAL BOUNDARY EXTENSION
NORTH
Smithtown Bay
KEY
~ - Coastal boundary
........ Coastal boundary extension
10 0 10
20 Miles
Scale: 1" = 10 miles
Map prepared by NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources, GIS Unit, May 1998
LONG ISLAND SOUND
Port Jefferson
Harbor
Chapter 3
FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS
The Sound coast means different things to different people, often defined by individual
experiences of living, working, and playing on its shores. The Long Island Sound Coastal
Management Program has been organized around four thematic coasts--the developed coast,
the natural coast, the public coast, and the working coast--to better focus attention on the
issues that are of significance to the people of the region.
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program sets public policy for federal and state
actions affecting the economic and environmental resources of the Sound coast. It is
grounded in the legislative purposes listed in Article 42 of the Executive Law and other
pertinent state laws. These directives have been refined by extensive public involvement,
draft and approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs, and the recommendations of
the Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.
The findings which follow are summarized from the detailed analyses presented in volume
2 of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program.
THE DEVELOPED COAST
Enhance community character by improving the quality of existing
development, promoting a sense of connection to the Sound, and focusing
growth and investment to preserve the positive relationship between the built
and natural landscapes and between existing and new development.
The Long Island Sound coastal region is essentially a developed coast. Much of community
character is defined by the existing patterns and style of development, a pattern and style that
over the years has exhibited a close relationship to Long Island Sound and to natural
landscapes in the coastal area.
Changing development patterns can enhance the community character of the Long Island
Sound coastal region and the sense of place of the individual communities that come together
to form the region's identity. To ensure that change maintains or enhances community
character and ties to the Sound and the surrounding landscape, the impacts of development
must be managed to improve quality of life and the environment. This can lead to the
coexistence of successful built-up areas and surrounding natural and working landscapes that
respects the natural and economic values of the Long Island Sound.
DEVELOPED COAST FINDINGS
Thc regional s~ructure of the Long Island Sound coast is based on a series of 17
waterfront communities which represent the traditional harbors and commercial,
industrial, and cultural centers of the region. These centers are linked by residential
communities and open spaces.
Most land adjacent to the Sound is used for some public or private purpose, the bulk of
which is residential. Three different types of development activity occur within the
coastal area of the Sound: (1) modest infill development in stable, almost fully
developed areas of the coast in the western portion of the region; (2) redevelopment of
deteriorated, abandoned, and undcrutilizcd areas in urban or previously developed areas
Findings and Recommendations 13
of the coast in the western portion of the region; and (3) major new development in
previously undeveloped areas located in eastern Long Island.
Population in the coastal area and watershed has remained relatively stable for the past
20 years. Population growth is expected to increase by about 1 to 2 percent over the next
ten years. The current, slow population growth period follows the 78 percent growth
rate of the post-World War II era.
· Although population is remaining relatively constant, the number of total housing units
has continued to increase, leading to continued development pressure. For example, in
the watershed of Nassau County, population declined by 8,550 while the number of
housing units increased by 8,557.
· Seasonal housing, located mostly in eastern Long Island, is increasingly being converted
for year-round use.
· Current land use consists of a mix of three major categories: residential use, comprising
about 70-80 percent of the shoreline; recreational use and dedicated open space,
comprising about 10-20 percent of the shoreline; and commercial/industrial uses,
comprising about 5-10 percent of the shoreline. Vacant lands comprise about 5 percent
of the shoreline.
· The number of housing units in the coastal area of Nassau and Suffolk counties could
increase by 20 percent if all land under current zoning available for residential
development were developed. This would approximately equal the number of units built
between 1970 and 1990 when the population grew by only 1,928 and an additional 7,023
housing units were added. The population of the coastal area of Nassau and Suffolk
counties can be projected to increase between 2,000 to 12,000 people by 2010. Thus,
build out is a real possibility in the foreseeable future.
· The general land use trend in the built up sections of the Long Island Sound coast in
Westchester County, New York City, Nassau County, and western Suffolk County
suggests that minor changes can be expected. Change will occur with redevelopment of
previously developed land with a resulting change of use fi.om institutional, commercial,
or industrial uses to residential use. The most significant changes in land use can be seen
in eastern Suffolk County, where areas of agricultural and vacant land are declining, and
areas of residential, commercial, and industrial land are increasing.
ENHANCING COMMUNITY CHARACTER: Recommendations for the Developed Coast
Recommendation 1: Foster a development pattern on the Long Island Sound coast
which focuses on the 17 existing centers of development,
strengthens the waterfront economy, and preserves natural
resources.
The regional character of the Long Island Sound coast is defined by the pattern of open and
developed land. There are 17 waterfront communities that are the focal point of the developed
land pattern. These communities are centers of economic and cultural activity within the
region and should be maintained to enhance the region's quality of life, coastal character, and
remaining open lands and natural resources. These communities are:
Village of Port Chester
Village of Mamaroneck
City of .New Rochelle
City Island
Village of Manorhaven/
Port Washington
City of Glen Cove
· Village of Roslyn
· Village of Sea Cliff
· Village of Bayville
· Oyster Bay
14 Findings and Recommendations
Cold Spring Harbor
Huntington Harbor
Village of Northport
Stony Brook
· Setauket
· Village of Port Jefferson
· Mattituck Inlet
By its construction, funding, and regulatory powers affecting infrastructure provision,
government is a dominant force in shaping the course of development. Through state
infrastructure provision, development, particularly large-scale development in the coastal area,
should be encouraged to locate within, contiguous to, or in close proximity to existing areas
of development, provided environmental conditions are suitable for and able to accommodate
development. Concentrating development to use existing infi-astmcture must be accompanied
by maintenance and improvement of that infrastructure.
This recommendation seeks to:
· strengthen existing residential, industrial, and commercial centers within the stable and
developing coasts, particularly the identified 17 traditional waterfront communities
foster an orderly pattern of growth where outward expansion is occurring in the
developing coast
increase the productivity of existing public services and moderate the need to provide
new public services by promoting new development where these already exist
· protect open space
Implementation: Seventeen communities on the Sound shore define the regional
development pattern of the Sound coastal area. The state should focus investment and
technical assistance to strengthen these existing centers of development consistent with their
character and local objectives and to foster cohesive development in the Long Island Sound
coastal area.
State agencies that could be project partners with local governments to strengthen existing
centers of development include the Department of State (e.g. waterfront planning and
revitalization), the Department of Environmental Conservation (e.g. brownfields remediation
and environmental protection), the Empire State Development Corporation (e.g. development
economics and marketing), the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (e.g.
public parks, historic preservation, and open space), and the Depathnent of Transportation
(e.g. road improvements).
These agencies, involved local govemments, and counties can cooperate to estabhsh priorities
for state investment and direct actions to support development strategies.
The departments of State, Environmental Conservation, and Transportation, Empire State
Development, and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation will cooperate
to ensure that the Environmental Protection Fund, Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, and other
appropriate funding sources are identified to assist local governments and counties to make
the necessary infrastructure improvements to support concentration of development. For
example, improving the level of treatment for nitrogen while expanding treatment capacity
at the Port Chester, Blind Brook, Port Washington, and Glen Cove wastewater treatment
plants may be necessary to meet the nitrogen reduction goals of the Long Island Sound Study
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The Department of State will work with
the Department of Environmental Conservation to explore ways to accommodate development
within the limits of the Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation and
Management Plan Phase 3 Nitrogen Reduction Plan.
The Department of State will assist involved local governments to develop or re£me Local
Waterfront Revitalization Programs, pursuant to Article 42 of the Executive Law, to reflect
local priorities for development, infrastructure, and recreational needs.
FindingsandRecommendations 15
Recommendation 2: Work with local governments to advance development in
brownflelds and underused urban waterfronts to produce
regional economic benefits, meet the demand for new large-scale
development, and restore deteriorated environments.
On the Sound coast, 17 communities have significant existing waterfront development. Of
those, six have brownfields and/or sufficient underused, previously built sites available for
redevelopment which, if revitalized, would have a regional economic benefit. These
communities include the villages of Port Chester, Manorhaven, and Port Jefferson, the cities
of New Rochelle and Glen Cove, and the Town of Smithtown.
These communities contain some of the most significant commercial waterfront centers on
thc Sound, and exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
· The waterfront has traditionally been used for water-dependent uses.
· The commercial waterbont center adjoins a central business district where uses that are
complementary and supportive of water-dependent and waterfront commercial uses can
be located without displacing or competing with water-depandent uses.
· The waterfront and business districts attract people from a broad area or region.
· New commercial uses are desired and can be sited without unduly affecting community
character and natural resources.
· Significant land parcels are available for development or redevelopment.
· The area contains higher concentrations of brownfields or underused previously
developed sites than other locations on Long Island Sound.
· The local government has demonstrated a commimaent to revitalizing its brownfields or
underused sites.
Redevelopment of these waterbont areas is an important step in achieving the overall vision
for the Sound, and the state will work with interested local governments to reclaim
brownfields and other underused land for a range of appropriate uses including water-
enhanced retail, hotels, and restaurants; water-dependent industry; freight or passenger ferry
service; marinas; and parkland. Successful redevelopment is a process that begins with
redevelopment strategies that are tailored to the needs of the community. These strategies
clearly define the steps in turning a brownfield or other site into a new use that benefits the
community and the region.
The strategies will create an environment for redevelopment with appropriate land and water
uses and foster continuing economic and environmental revitalization. Components of the
strategies might include developing supportive land use regulations, preparing generic
environmental impact statements, programming land assembly, conducting market and
feasibility studies, programming infi'astructure improvements, analyzing hazardous waste and
remediation needs, coordinating remedial action plans with reuse and redevelopment plans,
and developing public/private parmerships. The redevelopment strategies should use the best
proven techniques, as well as non-traditional and innovative approaches to solve
redevelopment problems. For example, waterfront redevelopment areas codld be designed
as receiving areas for transfer of development rights programs, thus providing more flexibility
for waterfront developers and helping to meet other community land use goals.
Implementation: The Department of State, Empire State Development, and the Department
of Environmental Conservation, using Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, Environmental
Protection Fund, and other funds, will work with local governments and the private sector to
revitalize urban waterfronts for new economic uses. When needed, redevelopment strategies
to guide reinvestment and redevelopment will be prepared in cooperation with local
governments. The redevelopment strategies will address appropriate and economically
16 Findings and Recommendations
feasible land use, environmental remediation, public amenities, job creation, and
infrastructure.
Recommendation 3: Advance cooperative public and private efforts to establish
desired uses on large sites which are in single ownership and
which are the most suitable for new appropriate development.
There are a limited number of large, currently developed sites that, if they were to become
available for redevelopment, could significantly affect the region, due to the large scale of
development that the site could accommodate. Characteristics of these sites include single
ownership; planned or previous institutional, utility, or energy use; and interest in
redevelopment. Given their limited number, these large sites should be treated as important
regional resources. There is a state interest in promoting cooperative planning and subsequent
reuse of these sites to ensure that the range of regional needs for economic development,
housing, open space, and recreation is met.
Creating new activity centers on these shoreline parcels presents a rare opporturfity for
economic development. These sites also provide opportunities for inclusion of public access,
greenways, and water-dependent uses within a mixed use development. As specific
recommendations can provide more tangible direction and guidance for future development
of these sites, the state and local governments should undertake a cooperative planning
process to develop desired land use scenarios for each of these sites.
This approach should also be adopted to address the future of any assemblage of smaller sites
into a large development or redevelopment site.
Implementation: The Department of State will work with the involved towns to encourage
cooperation with the landowners of the identified large sites, to advance assessment of the
potential array of uses and overall design of a site. The Department of State will work
cooperatively with local governments and others to prepare land use scenarios for these sites.
The Department of State will assist local governments to develop or refine Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs to reflect development and design preferences for these large sites.
Recommendation4: Maintain and enhance historic maritime communities to
strengthen the region's coastal heritage and coastal economy.
In 1998, Governor Pataki signed into law a bill establishing a Long Island Sound state
heritage area. The heritage area encompasses the land between Route 25-A and the Sound
from Great Neck to the Village of Port Jefferson. It would highlight significant early
American history, including the Revolution, the development and character of the historic
maritime communities, and thc Gold Coast mansions. The bill also created a heritage area
planning commission to oversee a management plan for the area. The plan would incorporate
the findings and recommendations of the Long Island Sound Historic Centers of Maritime
Activity Advisory Committee that were presented to Governor Pataki and the State
Legislature in 1997 as a joint effort between the Department of State and the Office of Parks,
Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Recommendations of the Historic Centers of Maritime Activity Study included promoting
preservation of maritime heritage through restoration and tourism projects, development of
interpretive centers, links with the system of greenways and blueways proposed in this
document, and assistance with projects to upgrade waterfront amenities and infrastructure.
To maintain the qualities of the heritage area, consideration should be given to how
development and redevelopment activities will protect the existing community character,
sense of place, and maritime integrity of the centers of maritime activity.
Water-dependent commercial and industrial uses should be protected and promoted.
Appropriate commercial water-dependent use development should occur. Water-enhanced
Findings and Recommendations 17
uses should support the maritime heritage of the community, and the natural resources that
have supported maritime activities should be preserved.
Implementation: The Department of State will cooperate with the Office of Parks,
Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the heritage area planning commission as the
management plan is prepared. The department will work with local governments, the public,
and maritime users to advance protection and appreciation of the historic and maritime
heritage of the Sound coast, especially through Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and
projects funded through the Environmental Protection Fund and Clean Water/Clean Air Bond
Act.
The Long Island Sound Historic Maritime Communities Study recommends that a voluntary,
statewide Historic Maritime Communities Program be established that would use the Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program and the Heritage Areas Program as vehicles for the state
to provide assistance.
Recommendation 5: Assist local governments to use their existing land use authority
to protect recreational lands for their associated open space,
habitat, and aesthetic purposes.
Continued use of public and private recreational land should be encouraged. This can be
achieved by providing advice to communities on land use regulations to zone appropriate land
for specific recreational uses. These lands, including golf courses, should be valued for not
only recreational use but for open space and aesthetic benefits. In addition, these lands,
depending upon the intensity of use, offer some natural resource benefits, such as wildlife
habitat. If conversion of private recreational land occurs, the preference would be that other
open space uses be developed or that low density or clustered development occur which
retains the bulk of the site in open space.
Implementation: The Department of State will provide technical assistance on this matter
to local governments.
Recommendation 6: Advance Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs, specific issue
or geographic components of Local Waterfront Revitalization
Programs for all municipalities on Long Island Sound. Revise
existing Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs to incorporate
the relevant components of the Long Island Sound Coastal
Management Program.
Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs provide the appropriate level of land use planning
for a community to examine its potential for new development and resource protection. State
assistance to local governments for the completion of Local Waterfront Revitalization
Programs or preparation of components of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs should
include continuing technical assistance and funding through the Environmental Protection
Fund. Priority should also be placed on revising existing Local Waterfront Revitalization
Programs to incorporate the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program, using funding
sources such as the Environmental Protection Fund to achieve this objective. The Local
Waterfront Revitalization Programs should focus on land available for development or
redevelopment, consider its resource values and role in the character of the community,
examine potential uses, and determine suitable land and water use. Current land use
regulations should be reviewed to ensure that the community is best able to take advantage
of development oppommities, while maintaining or improving community character, and
protecting an.d improving natural resources.
Implementation: Local governments should actively participate in completion and revision
of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and enact the necessary local legislation to
implement their Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs. The Deparhnent of State will
18 Findings and Recommendations
support completion of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs in the Long Island Sound
coastal area, as well as revision of approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs to
incorporate the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program. The department will also
continue to seek funding, including support from the Environmental Protection Fund (Title
11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program), to assist local governments in this effort.
Recommendation 7: Survey the historic and archaeological resources of the Long
Island Sound coastal region.
Them are large numbers of historic structures and archaeological sites that exist in the region;
however, the lack of advancement towards formal designation, listing, and recognition of
historic resources is a concern. A comprehensive survey of historic resources involving an
evaluation of significance is needed that results in a formal designation of historic significance
at national, state, regional, or local levels, with its attendant protection of the resource.
Implementation: The survey will be done incrementally by local governments using funds
now available through Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs Environmental
Protection Fund. The Department of State will cooperate with the Office of Parks,
Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the Department of Education, local governments, and
private groups to conduct the appropriate research to determine which sites are eligible for
inclusion in the state and national registers of historic places. Once this determination has
been made, these entities will cooperate to ensure that eligible sites are listed and protected.
The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation's Certified Local Government
Program provides funding to permit local governments to undertake the necessary research
to identify, nominate, and protect historic sites.
Recommendation 8: Assist local governments to protect historic and archaeological
resources through Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and
strengthened local laws.
The protection of historic and archaeological resources should be fostered by using Local
Waterfront Revitalization Programs to specifically identify and protect historic structures and
districts, and areas of archaeological sensitivity. Local preservation laws can also be
strengthened.
Implementation: The Depa~hnent of State will confmue to provide technical assistance to
local governments to prepare or amend local preservation laws. The Office of Parks,
Recreation, and Historic Preservation will assist local governments to become certified local
governments through its Certified Local Government Program.
Recommendation 9: Protect scenic resources within the Long Island Sound coastal
region.
Scenic quality is an important part of a community's character and sense of place.
Designation of Scenic Areas of Statewide Significance, pursuant to the Waterfront
Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act, would recognize the most important scenic areas
within the Long Island Sound coastal region.
Implementation: The Department of State, in cooperation with local governments, will
undertake a comprehensive scenic resources evaluation of the Long Island Sound coastal area
and prepare appropriate area designations.
FindingsandRecommendations 19
THE NATURAI. COAST
Reclaim the value and achieve sustainable use of the Sound's natural resources
by improving the quality and function of ecological systems, respecting the
dynamics of shoreline change, and providing high quality coastal waters.
The natural coast is comprised of a rich diversity of natural resources that are the basis for the
productivity of the Sound, as well as a source of scenic beauty and recreational enjoyment.
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program concentrates on the integrity of
ecological communities, appropriate responses to natural coastal processes, and improved
management of water resources and overall water quality.
NATURAL COAST FINDINGS
Ecological Resources
Long Island Sound is a complex ecosystem consisting of physical (non-living) and biological
(living) components and their interactions. The physical components include the open waters,
embayments, and tributaries of the Sound, as well as coastal lowlands, headlands, bluffs,
adjacent upland areas, small offshore islands, and soils. These features continue to develop
and change through the action of tides and offshore currents, and through weathering by
precipitation and surface runoff. The biological components include the plants and animals
that make up a wide range of ecological communities in and around the Sound. These
ecological communities provide vital habitat for waterfowl, fmfish, and shellfish.
· The Sound coast contains areas of exceptional natural resources of regional significance
which offer ecological, economic, and recreational benefits. With focused stewardship,
the benefits offered by these areas can be increased.
· State and local regulations have arrested the loss of tidal wetlands, protecting the 65 to
75 percent of the Sound's total vegetated wetlands that remain. However, impairments
and threats to wetlands and habitats on the Sound coast continue. Impacts fall into three
categories: physical loss and fragmentation of resources, degradation of resources, and
functional loss of resources. Restoration of wetland values, as well as pursuing a net
increase in wetlands, would have a positive effect on habitat, water quality, and
recreational enjoyment.
In the western part of the Sound coast, impairments are most directly related to impacts
of nearby heavy development and use. Habitat value is affected by lowered water quality
that results from combined sewer overflows, strained wastewater treatment plants,
hazardous waste contamination, stormwater runoff contamination, animal waste, and the
introduction of exotic plants.
In the central part of the Sound coast, wetlands are affected by loss of vegetated buffer,
as well as some instances of illegal fill, and mosquito ditching. Road runoff and
sedimentation add pollutant loadings to wetlands in this part of the coast. Use of motor
boats and jet skis in shallow waters adjacent to wetlands can affect wetland vegetation
both by direct physical disturbance and through the indirect effects of wave action.
Water quality impairments, including vessel discharge and contaminated sediments,
groundwater plumes, and human use affect habitat viability.
Vegetated tidal wetlands along eastern Long Island's north shore are located at four tidal
inlets. These areas are critical fish and bird habitat. In addition, the beaches are used for
bird and'turtle nesting; rocky shorelines are used for seal haulouts. These are also
valuable habitats. Disturbances to bluffs and resulting beach erosion threaten bird and
turtle nesting. Heavy boating activity reduces the quality of seal haulout habitat. The
20 Findings and Recommendations
ecological communities located in the inlets are affected by poor water quality from
nonpoint source pollution.
· While significant fish and wildlife habitat areas remain along the Sound shoreline,
fragmentation of habitat threatens the diversity of wildlife and marine life. In addition,
changing vegetative cover from native species to exotics in domestic, commercial, and
institutional landscaping affects bird and animal use of the coast and requires greater
inputs of water and fertilizers. Invasions of exotic species adversely affect natural
ecological communities.
Coastal Flooding and Erosion Hazards
Erosion and flooding have been causing changes in the coastal geography of the Long Island
Sound region since glacial retreat began thousands of years ago. Beaches and dunes have
developed and changed; bluffs have slumped and been washed away; inlets have opened and
closed; bays have changed shape and depth; wetlands have appeared and disappeared. These
events, whether occurring incrementally or in a single storm event, are part of a dynamic
natural process that never allows coastal landforms to remain the same for more than a
moment in geologic time.
Natural processes acting upon unencumbered coastal features, such as nearshore areas,
beaches, dunes, bluffs, wetlands, and floodplains, are not considered hazardous. Coastal
hazards arise when people build on these dynamic landforms, which continue to change. This
eventually results in those structures being damaged or lost by the naturally occurring erosion
or flooding.
While population levels have been relatively stable for Long Island in recent years,
development in coastal areas, including locations of dynamic shoreline change, has steadily
increased. As growing numbers of people choose to live in these areas, greater numbers of
structures are at risk.
· Development in erosion and flood prone areas is continuing. Presently, more than 8,200
structures are located in such areas. Over 1,200 structures are currently located seaward
of the coastal erosion hazard area boundary, set by Article 34 of the Environmental
Conservation Law.
The trend toward shoreline hardening is increasing. In 1969, only 8.96 miles of Suffolk
County's 132.5 miles of Long Island shoreline were hardened with riprap, bulkheads, or
seawalls. Today, 43.7 miles of the county's shoreline are hardened.
Approximately 50 percent of the Sound shoreline has been armored with erosion control
structures. Many of these structures do not serve an erosion control function. Even for
those structures that are intended to control erosion, poor design, siting, maintenance, and
lack of remediation have created downdrift erosion, beach loss, and other problems on
and off the site.
Areas of rapid erosion on the Long Island Sound shoreline occur at Bayville, Asharoken,
and along the bluffs of Smithtown, Brookhaven, and Riverhead.
The historic rates of erosion along the Sound shoreline need to be measured to define
structural hazard areas, so that the Coastal Erosion Hazard Area Act can operate more
effectively.
Development in coastal hazard areas can be better managed to ensure there is a
reasonable likelihood structures will remain safe, or not at risk. Development in flood
hazard areas can also be better managed to reduce risks from flooding.
FindingsandRecommendations 21
Water Resources and Water Quality
Population growth and associated development have had negative effects on the quality of
water in the Sound. In urban areas, numerous point and nonpoint sources have degraded the
Sound's waters. Wastewater treatment facilities discharge permitted levels ofpolltuants into
the Sound, and combined storm and sanitary sewers channel untreated overflows directly into
its waters. In the less developed areas of the region, diffuse pollutants--septic system
effluent, lawn and agricultural chemicals, and sediments---contribute to water quality
problems.
· For the Sound as a whole, point sources of water pollution, including effluent from
wastewater treatment plants are the most critical contributors to water quality
impairments. The Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation and
Management Plan estimates that nearly half of the anthropogenic (human caused)
nitrogen loadings to the Sound are from point sources.
Nonpoint pollution (street runoff, lawn fertilizers, etc.) is also a significant source of
contamination, accounting for 21 percent of in-basin anthropogenic nitrogen loading. Of
particular concern are problems in embayments on the Sound. Nitrogen deposition from
atmospheric sources Caeid rain") provides about 4 percent of the anthropogenie nitrogen
loading to the Sound.
On-site sewage disposal systems contribute to pollution problems in several areas of the
watershed, from Guion Creek in Westchester County to nine segments in Suffolk
County. Problems arise from poor siting and lack of maintenance.
· Siting marinas in areas with poor flushing and vessel waste discharge in enclosed
embayments impair water quality, affecting both shellfish harvesting and human
enjoyment. Improperly conducted boat maintenance in marinas and boat yards can
contribute to water quality impacts.
Groundwater transport ofba?ardous waste plumes is reaching Sound bays, for example
Port Jefferson Harbor and Glen Cove Creek. Evaluation and remediation of problem
sites need to proceed. In Oyster Bay Harbor and in the Oak Neck Creek portion of the
Mill Neck Creek wetlands, high concentrations of heavy metals warrant continued
monitoring.
RECLAIMING THE VALUE AND SUSTAINED RESPONSIBLE USE OF
THE SOUND ~S NATURAL RESOURCES: Recommendations for the Natural Coast
Improving the Quality and Function of Ecological Systems
Recommendation 10: Protect and restore unique areas of regional significance
characterized by a diversity of outstanding natural resources,
which are at risk.
Along the Long Island Sound coast, there are defined geographic areas that contain significant
natural features, which together form a landscape of environmental, economic, and cultural
importance to the public. Some of these areas and their resources are at risk from existing or
new activities that could impair the viability of the area and reduce the quality of life enjoyed
by residents and visitors to the Sound coast. With a focused management program for these
areas, stewardship can bc improved to ensure that these resources remain a vital component
of the Sound coast.
22 Findings and Recommendations
The objectives of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program for regionally
important natural areas are listed below. The objectives are related to one another, because
the resources, as well as their impa'm-nents, are related. The achievement of a given objective
may depend on the achievement of another. An overall strategy to guide protection and
restoration actions must be developed for each regionally important natural area that shows
recognition of these relationships.
· Prevent fragmentation of natural ecological communities.
· Curtail nutrient and contaminant loads to Long Island Sound and its tributaries.
Manage development in the regionally important natural area watersheds to result in
cleaner surface waters, protection of estuarine life, maintenance of commercial
shellfishing, and restoration of shellfish harvesting where natural ecosystem processes
may permit.
· Maintain the benefits of natural shoreline functions.
· Protect and restore freshwater and tidal wetlands and their natural functions.
· Protect and, where appropriate, expand populations of New York Natural Heritage
elements (endangered, threatened, and rare species and rare natural communities).
· Maintain sustainable populations of fish, shellfish, and wildlife species that depend on
the resources of a regionally important natural area for critical stages in their life cycles.
Protect, and where possible, expand native plant communities.
Ensure that recreational activities will be compatible with the protection of ecological
communities; endangered, threatened, and rare species; species of special concern;
economically important species; and other intrinsic ecosystem elements.
Prevent impairments to coastal access and develop new access oppommities that are
compatible with protection of natural resources.
Request the public to drive the process of protecting the resources of the regionally
important natural area.
Within these areas, protection and restoration of natural resources and their related uses is the
primary objective. Tidal and freshwater wetlands can be restored, water quality can be
improved, aquatic and upland habitats can be protected, and indigenous species can be re-
established.
The combination of advancing appropriate development in waterfront redevelopment centers
and improving productivity of regionally important natural areas will reduce cumulative and
secondary impacts of development and human use on the region's natural resources. Map 6.0
shows areas that have been initially identified as meefmg the criteria.
Implementation: The Department of State and the Department of Environmental
Conservation, with Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, Environmental Protection Fund, and
other funds, will protect and restore the natural resource values in regionally important natural
areas in cooperation with local governments. Any necessary management plans will specify
actions to enhance and protect the resource values in these areas, as well as actions to restore
impaired resources. Such actions may include restoration or creation of wetlands, nonpoint
source pollution management, habitat enhancement, and land acquisition. The plans will
establish p?iorifies for action and implementation funding. The plans will be incorporated into
the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program when approved by the Department of
State and involved local governments.
Findings and Recommendations 23
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund are key funding
sources to deVelop and implement the protection and restoration strategies for each regionally
important natural area.
Recommendation ll: Achieve a net gain in the quality and quantity of tidal wetlands and
no net loss in the quality and quantity of freshwater wetlands in the
Long Island Sound coastal area.
Over the past I00 years, the acreage of tidal and freshwater wetlands in the region has
declined, with many remaining wetlands being degraded by encroachment into buffer areas,
runoff from development, and other factors. The remaining tidal and freshwater wetlands,
therefore, take on added significance. There is a critical need to restore ecological functions
of the remaining wetlands of the Sound to more fully realize the economic, ecological, and
aesthetic potential of those areas and of the Sound ecosystem as a whole.
Undeveloped uplands, which provided buffers for the Sound's wetlands, have been greatly
reduced. The long-term viability of wetlands is often linked with the existence of sufficient
upland buffers.
Actions should be taken within weflands and in areas contiguous to wetlands in order to
reconstruct lost physical features essential to natural functioning of the wetland, to change
altered characteristics that adversely affect the functioning of wetlands, to promote a net gain
in wetlands, and to enhance the wedand's contribution to the health and diversity of the Sound
ecosystem.
There are a number of studies and plans which identify the need for wetland restoration sites.
These sources include the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan,
the Long Island Sound Study Habitat Restoration Plan, Local Waterfront Revitalization
Programs, local planning documents, and park management plans. Restoration within these
wetlands and in contiguous areas should be considered a starting point for restoration of
wetland systems. Many of these sites will be more fully evaluated as part of management
plans prepared by the Department of State, the Department of Environmental Conservation,
the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and local governments.
Implementation: The Department of Environmental Conservation, in cooperation with the
Department of State, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York City Department
of Environmental Protection, and New York City Depathnent of Parks and Recreation, has
solicited recommendations from local governments and the public for restoration of 12 habitat
types, including freshwater and tidal wetlands along the Sound shore. Over 450 nominations
were received in this Long Island Sound Habitat Restoration Initiative. Priority ranking
criteria have been developed with public review and comment.
In evaluating these nominations and future recommendations, the Long Island Sound Habitat
Restoration Initiative Team will establish Soundwide priorities for habitat restoration. The
Department of Environmental Conservation met with local governments around the Sound on
the New York side to ascertain local restoration priorities.
As the Long Island Sound Study habitat restoration team continues evaluating sites and'
making recommendations, special consideration will be given to those projects which further
the actions and recommendations identified in the Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive
Conservation Management Plan, the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program, the
state Open Space Conservation Plan, and Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs. The
participation of local agencies, conservation groups, and the public has added to the successful
development of restoration priorities.
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act is critical in funding restoration of wetlands identified
by the interagency management team. For purposes of the bond act, "aquatic habitat
24 Findings and Recommendations
restoration projects involve planning, design, construction, management, maintenance,
reconstruction, revitalization, or rejuvenation activities intended to improve the waters of the
state of ecological significance or any part thereof, including, but not limited to ponds, bogs,
wetlands, b. ays,.sounds, streams, rivers, or lakes and shorelines thereof, to support a spawning,
nursery, wintering, migratory, nesting, breeding, or foraging environment for fish and wildlife
and other biota."
The departments of Environmental Conservation and State are particularly interested in
projects that restore spawning habitat, restore wetlands including open marsh water
management, restore marine submerged aquatic vegetation, stabilize and restore stream banks
and beds, restore fish passage, and restore shellfish beds.
The interagency Long Island Sound Study Habitat Restoration Team has identified three
criteria to set priorities for restoration of sites:
· ecological considerations: area, trust species benefits, potential to obtain historical
ecological function, potential to restore to full species use
· (~gisticalc~nsiderati~ns:techrdca~pr~babi~ity~fsuccess~c~mmunitysupp~rt~c~st/acre~
~mplementation readiness, degree of maintenance
· public/economic benefits: access/open space, environmental equity, economic benefits,
recreational use, education, associated surface and groundwater improvements
Additional sites may be added to the list of proposed wetland restoration sites as information
becomes available.
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act will be a critical source of funding for restoration
efforts. The Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-First Century, the Environmental
Pro.tection Fund, and other funding sources also can provide means to undertake restoration
projects.
Recommendation 12: Promote use of Indigenons Long Island plants.
Nonindigenons invasive plants overrun indigenous plants, replacing diverse plant communities
of high habitat value with plants unable to provide for the needs of Long Island's fish and
wildlife. Increased use of indigenous plants will protect the diversity of plants on Long Island
and reduce the need for the use of pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
An indigenous plants program should encourage use of Long Island plants to maintain and
restore natural ecological communities, but should clearly recognize that ornamental and
collection specimens are also acceptable, particularly in historical settings or in an educational
function, such as arboretums.
An indigenous plants program would call for state leadership in initiating interest in and use
of Long Island species.
Implementation: The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has formed an
Ad Hoc Group on Invasive Plant Management. In addition to the Office of Parks, Recreation,
and Historic Preservation, members of the Ad Hoc group include the departments of State,
Environmental Conservation (Natural Heritage Program), Transportation, Public Service, the
New York State Museum, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the
Albany Pine Bush Commission, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Cornell University, Audubon
Society of New York State, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The group's
mission is to provide coordination and guidance on the management of invasive species of
plants to protect biodiversity in New York State.
Findings andRecommendations 25
Recommendation 13: Protect wildlife corridors in the Long Island Sound coastal and
watershed areas by avoiding fragmentation.
Continuing new development continues to fragment wetlands and other natural ecological
communities. This loss of habitat leads to local extirpations which have increased negative
effects on regional wildlife populations. Where a local extirpation occurs, obstacles, such as
dense development, highways, and fences, can prevent repopulation. This is true especially
for amphibians, reptiles, and some small mammals. Linking ecological communities by
habitat corridors will benefit certain species by allowing increased movement for population
expansions, for foraging, or for avoidance of adverse conditions.
Existing wildlife corridors, such as Mattituck Creek and the Nissequogue River and
Connetquot River corridors, are necessary for migrating songbird populations because they
serve as stopover sites. These corridors form a series of habitats, rather than a contiguous
stretch of land.
The developed nature of the Long Island Sound coast makes it imperative that areas of
remaining open space be maintained. Where possible, oppommities to join these open space
areas or to connect them to stream corridors should be pursued.
Implementation: The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the Department
of State, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Transportation,
and local government, with assistance from affected property owners and others will identify
existing wildlife corridors. Other opportunities to identify important wildlife corridors and
potential linkages are presented when Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs, special area
management plans, road and drainage improvements, and recreation plans are prepared.
As the Open Space Conservation Plan is updated, the Department of Environmental
Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation should consider
including lands which offer opportunities to add to habitat or to link habitats to promote
wildlife movement. The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act could provide a funding source
for acquisition. The Environmental Protection Fund could fund local government efforts to
plan parts of the corridor system.
Recommendation 14: Develop an ecosystem monitoring program for Long Island Sound.
Public agencies and conservation groups are involved in a wide variety of efforts to improve
the natural resources of Long Island Sound. The combined effectiveness of these individual
efforts within the seven ecological complexes of the Long Island Sound coastal area has not
been evaluated to determine their efficacity and their interrelationships.
A monitoring program should be established that would evaluate the results of these public
and private efforts and identify oppommities to better coordinate efforts. Another major
component of the mohitoring program should include routine surveys of plants and animals
within the complexes so public and private decisions can better ensure the long-term viability
of these natural resources. This data could serve as the basis for identifying additional actions
that are needed to improve conditions within the ecological complexes.
An important consideration is developing statewide standards for future monitoring programs
to ensure compatibility of collected data.
Implementation: The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program supports the
recommendations for monitoring, assessment, and research presented under the heading
"Management and Conservation of Living Resources and their Habitats" in the Long Island
Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. There are other important data
gathering efforts underway. For example, the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation is preparing a comprehensive inventory of natural resources in all state parks.
26 Findings and Recommendations
The project will provide the necessary information to integrate natural resource management
concerns with on-going park maintenance and planning efforts.
The Department of State will cooperate with the Department of Environmental Conservation,
the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, local governments, and the research
community to develop a standardized format for gathering information necessary to monitor
the biological diversity and functions of the Sound ecosystem. The format of the information
gathered should encourage data entry into a geographic information system by the state.
Respecting the Dynamics of Shoreline Change
Based on the inventory and analysis of coastal processes and coastal hazards within the region,
the following actions are recommended. Map 2.0 shows the locations of major
recommendations.
Recommendation 15: Amend Environmental Conservation Law Article 34 regulations to
require mitigation for impacts of hard erosion control structures
and to guarantee mitigation through performance bonds.
Numerous shore protection structures already exist along the Long Island Sound shore, and
many continue to be built. Although the cumulative negative impact of these structures has
not been quantified, it is potentially large. Before a permit is granted to allow construction of
hard erosion control structures, their purpose, function, impact, and alternatives need to be
carefully evaluated. If properly used, each of the variety of hard structures can be effective
in reducing erosion, but this benefit must be weighed against potential negative impacts
including increased beach and bluff erosion, aesthetic impairments, loss of recreational
resources, loss of habitats, and water quality degradation. Regulatory standards should ensure
that hard erosion control structures are used only when other alternatives are proven to be
inappropriate and negative impacts of these structures are mitigated. Consideration should be
given to use of performance bonds for mitigation resulting from damages caused by hard
erosion control structures.
Use of public funds for flooding and erosion control projects should be limited to those
instances where the projects would result in a public benefit that exceeds the public cost.
Priority for expenditure of public funds should be given to actions which protect public health
and safety, mitigate flooding and erosion problems caused by previous human intervention,
protect areas of intensive development, and protect substantial public investment in land,
infrastructure, and facilities.
Implementation: The Department of State will assist local government with necessary
planning for regulatory changes to advance the recommendation.
Regulations for the Coastal Erosion Hazard Area Act (ECL Article 34) can be amended by the
Department of Environmental Conservation to provide for required mitigation and use of
performance bonds.
Recommendation 16: Establish a coastal processes monitoring program for critical
erosion areas along the Long Island Sound shore.
Detailed information on coastal processes, which is necessary for improved hazard
management, is lacking throughout the region. Initially, a study should focus on the most
rapidly eroding locations. These areas are Bayville, Asharoken, Makamah Beach (Town of
Huntington), the north shoreline of Old Field, the area from Baiting Hollow to Jacobs Point
Bluffs in Riverhead, and Mattituck Creek, Goldsmith Inlet, Peconic Dunes County Park,
Mulford Point, and Orient Point, all in the Town of Southold.
Findings and Recommendations 27
MAP 2.0
COASTAL HAZARD RECOMMENDATIONS
CONNECTICUT
NORTH
~NP 3
Long island sound
6
4 5
Gl
MI
10
Suffolk
New
York
C ty
10
0
Scale: 1" = 10 miles
KEY
Atlantic Ocean
Critical erosion monitodng areas*
I Bayvitle
2 Asharoken
3 Makamah Beach
4 Rock7 Point/Shoreham
5 Wading River Landing
6 Camp Grant - Jacobs Point
7 Mattituck Inlet
8 Goldsml~ Inlet
9 Peconio Dunes County Park
10 Mulford Point
11 Orient Point
· Public InfrastnJcture pr~)tecfion sites
Cl C~ Island
ClP Cross Island Parkway/Things Neck Bltdge
BV Bayvilie
AS Asharoken
SM Sunken Meadow State Park
· Sediment bypassing study sites
NP LILCO/Nodhport
MI Mattituck Inlet
Gl Goldsmiths Inlet
* Areas for Nassau County and Fishers Island
have not been ident~Sed
Map prepared by NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources, GIS Unit, May 1998
In addition, structural hazard areas, locations experiencing an average rate of erosion of one
foot per year or greater, should be identified for the Long Island Sound coast. Currently, only
natural protective features are mapped. Erosion rate analyses would allow for accurate
determinations of eroding areas which could be reflected in the coastal erosion hazards area
line to show the differences in erosion rates throughout the Sound. This would allow for
improved regulation of new development and redevelopment in areas where risk is greatest.
Implementation: A study of coastal processes and shoreline response in the Long Island
Sound coastal area has been completed. The Department of State has identified sites where
measurements should be taken to determine shoreline change, a first step in implementing an
historical shoreline change analysis. Initial monitoring has begun from Mattituck to Horton
Point in Southold.
The Deparhnent of Environmental Conservation through regulatory requirements, and/or the
Department of State through its monitoring efforts, will design and undertake a lung-term
comprehensive erosion rate study in the Long Island Sound coastal area which meets
regulatory purposes as a minimum. The Department of Environmental Conservation will
remap the coastal erosion hazard area accordingly.
Recommendation 17: Establish permanent sediment bypassing systems along the Long
Island Sound coast to correct problems caused by past structural
intervention and where there is a demonstrated public benefit.
The effects of existing structures perpendicular to the shore should be evaluated to determine
the need for sediment bypassing. A comprehensive plan to bypass sediment or alter the size
and configuration of structures, or remove the structures would result. Initial site locations
to bc addressed include Mattituck Inlet, Goldsmith Inlet, and the LILCO facility at Northport.
Implementation: The Department of State will draft a proposal to evaluate effects of existing
structures and identify the need for sand bypassing within specific areas of the Long Island
Sound coastal area. A limited evaluation has begun at Goldsmith Inlet and Mattituck Inlet.
Based on such a study, the departments of State and Environmental Conservation would work
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop requirements and guidelines for specific
areas.
The Department of State, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and other
appropriate state agencies would act to implement recommendations of the study.
Recommendation 18: Assist local governments to manage development in flood and
erosion prone areas, through erosion management plans that
include a post-storm redevelopment component.
Erosion management plans that specifically address local conditions and solutions should be
prepared by local governments and incorporated into their Local Waterfront Revitalization
Programs. For areas where substantial unavoidable loss of life or property is likely the erosion
management plan should include a detailed post-storm redevelopment component which
would specify less hazardous locations for redevelopment, thereby allowing communities to
promote safer coastal development. This approach may be expanded where appropriate to
address localized severe erosion. This plan should be coordinated with Federal Emergency
Management Agency Flood Hazard Mitigation Plans being developed through the State
Emergency Management Agency.
Implementation: Local governments should prepare erosion management plans and flood
mitigation plans and incorporate these plans into their Local Waterfront Revitalization
Programs. Communities that are not preparing Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs
should be encouraged to do so. Local law changes may be required.
Findings and Recornrnenda~ions 29
The Department of State will provide technical assistance to local governments to complete
or revise Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs to include erosion management plans.
Federal funding is available through the State Emergency Management Agency for
preparation of flood mitigation plans. Communities may be eligible for funding under the
Environmental Protection Fund.
Recommendation 19: Encourage development of local zoning regulations to adequately
address siting of structures and land uses in flood and erosion
hazard areas.
Local governments should be encouraged to use their land use powers to limit building in
hazard areas, limit building size and type in hazard areas, require additional setbacks, and
initiate local acquisition programs (taking advantage of federal funds for acquisition), as
appropriate, in hazard areas to reduce future exposure to hazard risk. Setbacks based on
ha?ard areas should be established in addition to routine yard setbacks under existing zoning
regulations. Recession rates, to be obtained from a comprehensive shoreline erosion study,
would be used to determine appropriate additional setbacks. In addition, local zoning laws
should make allowances for water-dependent uses and for small, moveable structures, such
as cabanas, that might be appropriate for temporary seasonal uses in certain shoreline areas.
Implementation: The departments of State and Environmental Conservation will provide
technical assistance to local governments on methods to reduce development's future exposure
to hazard risks.
Local governments should develop and adopt improved land use regulations to protect public
health and safety through management of development in hazard areas. These regulations
should also provide for temporary seasonal uses.
Local governments are encouraged to assume authority for implementing the Coastal Erosion
Hazard Area Act.
Providing High Quali~y Coastal Waters
The following three recommendations are derived from the Long Island Sound Study
Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan, and are among its major recommendations.
These and all other enforceable policies of the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan
are incorporated into the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program.
Recommendation 20: Implement the Long Island Sound Study nitrogen reduction targets
and the Final Phase 3 Nitrogen Reduction Strategy approved by the
Long Island Sound Study Policy Committee.
The Long Island Sound Study found that nitrogen is the most significant cause of low oxygen
levels in the Sound, with attendant impacts on the Sound ecosystem. As an example, nilxogen
levels in the Long Island Sound contribute to hypoxic events which result in fish kills, and
diminish the habitat value of the bottom waters for fish and shellfish.
The Long Island Sound Study has adopted Phase III Nitrogen Reduction Targets which call
for a 58.5% reduction in the total enriched load of nitrogen to Long Island Sound from point
and nonpoint sources within the New York and Connecticut portions of the watershed by
2014.
Implementation: The Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan describes the various
implementation methods the state will employ.
The Long Island Sound Study has adopted a program to achieve nitrogen reduction targets
consistent with the Clean Water Act by 2014. This program includes developing zone-by-
zone plans that will highlight the mix of point and nonpoint source controls to be implemented
in each management zone.
30 Findings and Recommendations
Specific actions needed to implement the Phased Nitrogen Reduction Strategy include:
· Achieve secondary treatment at all sewage treatment plants in the watershed.
· Where feasible, incorporate advanced nitrogen removal in treatment plants.
Implement the nonpoint source pollution controls discussed below to reduce nitrogen.
Develop and implement nutrient management plans for each of the Long Island Sound
Study planning zones to achieve the nitrogen reduction targets.
The Department of Environmental Conservation will propose modifications to State
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for point source discharges.
· A 15 year, phased, enforceable schedule, commencing after completion of the zone-by-
zone .plans, will assure steady progress in achieving the nitrogen'reduction targets at five-
year increments.
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act provides significant funding to implement these actions.
Recommendation 21: Reduce loadings of toxic substances in order to reduce risk to
humans, wildlife, and ecological communities.
Toxic substances in the Long Island Sound can cause mortality, and chronic or long-term
effects related to bioaccumulation of contaminants. Poor flushing of receiving waters,
especially in semi-enclosed embayments, allows toxics to accumulate and concentrate in
sediments. Reduction of the loadings to the embayments would benefit the living resources
of the Sound. Based on results from the Long Island Sound Study, assessments of
contaminated sediments should be improved and remediation developed and implemented,
where appropriate.
Implementation: The Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation Management
Plan describes in detail various implementation methods the state will employ.
Recommendation 22: Control combined sewer overflows to minimize pollution by
pathogens, nutrients, toxic materials, and floatable debris.
Sewer overflows discharge untreated or inadequately treated sewage into the Sound. Nutrients
in the sewage allow the growth of algae that depletes oxygen from the waters of the Sound as
it decays. Pathogen contamination can result in closure of beaches and shellfishing grounds.
Adopt the recommendations of the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan to:
Implement existing plans for combined sewer overflow abatement.
· Identify, set priorities, and control dry period overflows and illegal sewer connections.
Implementation: The Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation Management
Plan describes in detail the various implementation methods the state will employ. The Clean
Water/Clean Air Bond Act will be a significant source of funds to implement these
improvements.
Recommendation 23: Provide vessel pumpout stations and support designations of no
discharge zones to reduce direct contamination of waters and
shellfish by vessel sewage discharge.
Vessel sewage discharge can result in direct contamination of waters and shellfish by
pathogens, nutrients, and chemicals. No-discharge zones, where vessels are prohibited from
discharging wastes into marine waters, should be designated to reduce direct contamination
of waters and shellfish by pathogens and to reduce nutrient loading to embayments.
Implementation: The Department of State has conducted a survey to determine the number
of vessels by major Long Island Sound embayment and has updated surveys of existing
pumpout facilities. The Department of State, in cooperation with the Department of
Findings and Recommendations 31
Environmental Conservation, has completed a plan, pursuant to the Clean Vessel Act, for the
construction, renovation, and maintenance of pumpout facilities. The plan also identifies
where facilities are needed to meet standards for no-discharge zone designation. In
cooperation with local governments, the Department of State and the Department of
Environmental Conservation will seek a determination from the Environmental Protection
Agency that sufficient pumpouts exist to allow designation of each of Long Island Sound's
embayments as vessel waste no-discharge zones.
The state Navigation Law has been amended to automatically designate a no-discharge zone
once the Environmental Protection Agency has determined adequate purnpouts exist to
designate a vessel waste no-discharge zone. The law also permits local govemments to
enforce no-discharge programs.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is providing Clean Vessel Act funds to public
and private marinas to construct, renovate, and maintain pumpout facilities.
The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Sea Grant, and other agencies, as
appropriate, will implement public information and education programs to encourage
compliance.
The Department of State and the Department of Environmental Conservation, through permit
conditions, will continue to require public and private marinas to provide or maintain pumpout
facilities, where an adequate number of pumpouts are not available. Funding for pumpout
facilities is available through the federal Clean Vessel Act of 1992, administered by the
Department of Environmental Conservation.
Recommendation 24: Advance intermunicipal efforts to reduce nonpoint source pollution
in Long Island Sound's embayments.
The New York State Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, as authorized under the
Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, and the New York State Nonpoint
Source Program as authorized under the Clean Water Act, section 319, recognize that there
are certain basic managernent practices which can be used effectively to reduce water quality
impacts from nonpoim source pollution. While unfocused nonpoint source control responses
may help to reduce water quality impacts, a coordinated program of management practices
undertaken on a watershed or sub-watershed basis will have a greater impact. The Long
Island Sound Study and the Priority Waterbody List identify the priority water quality
impairments resulting from nonpoint sources of pollution.
Implementation: State agencies will advance the use and implementation of best management
practices. The Department of State will advance best management practices for the land usc
categories described below, to control nonpoint source pollution. In addition, the Department
of State and the Department of Environmental Conservation will assist in the preparation of
more detailed, watershed- and sub-watershed-based plans for land areas contributing to use
impairments or threatened waters, such as many of the Long Island Sound embayments. The
Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, the Environmental Protection Fund, and section 319 of the
Clean Water Act can all provide funding for nonpoint source pollution control projects. The
Depa~t~ent of State Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental
Protection Fund grants and section 319 funds can be used by local governments for
intermunicipal watershed plans.
Funding from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, the Environmental Protection Fund, and
the section 319 program can be used to implement coastal nonpoint source pollution consol
measures.
The departments of State and Environmental Conservation will advocate the use and
implementation of best management practices detailed in the Guidance Specifying
Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters and the
32 Findings and Recommendations
Management Practices Catalogue for Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention and Water
Protection in New York State, which was prepared by the Department of Environmental
Conservation in cooperation with the member agencies of the New York Nonpoint Source
Coordinating Committee. The manual details practices for urban stormwater runoff; road and
right-of-way maintenance; leaks, spills, and accidents; resource extraction; on-site waste
disposal; hydrologic and habitat modification; construction; silviculture; and agriculture. The
following are specific implementation means for each land use category.
Urban and general development. New construction, including roads and bridges, can
contribute to nonpoint source pollution if the site is not properly managed to control
sedimentation and runoff during site preparation and construction. Similarly, site design can
ensure that post-development runoff does not increase erosion and sedimentation and that
natural drainage ways are maintained. On-site sewage disposal systems need to be sited
properly and maintained to avoid contamination of groundwater and surface waters.
The Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of State, and Department of
Transportation are coordinating efforts to develop standards for new construction (including
rot.ds and bridges), which require that post-development runoff should not exceed, as nearly
as is practicable, the pre-development peak runoff rate and average volume; and post-
development total suspended solids loadings should not exceed pre-development rates. The
Department of Transportation has developed standards for stormwater control on new roads,
which local governments can adopt. The Department of Environmental Conservation has
completed phase II revisions of the stormwater regulations. The Department of State is
investigating amendments to the Uniform Fire and Building Code to address stormwater
management.
The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of State will provide
technical assistance in the development of comprehensive watershed management and
protection programs.
The Department of Health has amended technical guidelines for on-site sewage disposal
systems, making provisions for proper siting, design, installation, operation, and maintenance,
so that discharges to the ground surface are eliminated and discharges to ground waters which
are closely hydrologically connected with surface waters are minimized to the extent
practicable.
State and local health departments and local sanitary districts and municipalities, should
develop and implement effective maintenance strategies for on-site sewage disposal systems,
applicable to both new and existing systems. Such programs should include routine
inspection.
State and local agencies, private groups, citizens groups, Cooperative Extension, and the state
Water Resources Institute should continue to cooperate to develop and conduct education
programs and other programs, as appropriate, to reduce nonpoint pollution fi.om a variety of
sources.
The Department of State will work with the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation to recommend changes in
practices at state-owned golf courses in the Long Island Sound watershed. The
recommendations should focus on minimizing irrigation and the application of fertilizers,
herbicides, and pesticides, in order to limit volumes of nutrients and contaminants leaching
into groundwater or nmning overland into coastal waters. Private golf courses should be
encouraged to evaluate their management regimes.
The Deparmaent of Transportation has issued the Environmental Procedures Manual (1995)
to ensure that the planning, development, and maintenance of roads, highways, and bridges
is done in a manner that protects water quality, limits disturbance of natural drainage features,
and reduces use of hazardous materials and nutrients, among other considerations.
Findings and Recommendations 33
The Department of State will consider changes to the Uniform Fire Protection and Building
Code to address nonpoint pollution issues, such as sediment and erosion control and
stormwater management.
Local governments should incorporate appropriate best management practices into their Local
Waterfront Revitalization Programs.
Marinas. Marinas are important uses along the Sound shore, but they need to be sited and
designed to take advantage of natural flushing, to avoid waters intended for shellfishing (SA
waters), to eliminate pollution from hull maintenance areas and fueling areas, and to
accommodate disposal of vessel wastes.
The Department of State and the Department of Environmental Conservation will use existing
permitting authorities to implement recommendations for siting, construction, expansion, and
operation of marinas.
Harbor management Plans developed for Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs will
incorporate measures to minimize impacts to water quality through proper design of
maintenance dredging operations and other activities.
Local governments should incorporate standards for marinas and marina-related activities into
their Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and local laws.
Hydromodifications. Dredging of new channels in appropriate locations and maintenance of
necessary existing channels at appropriate depths are necessary to support commercial and
recreational boat traffic in the Sound and its harbors. Dredging that is not properly designed
and carried out can cause a variety of water quality impairments.
The Department of State and the Depamnent of Environmental Conservation will use existing
regulatory authority to ensure that necessary dredging operations are properly designed.
THE PUBLIC COAST
Connect people to the Sound and its public resources by improving visual and
physical access, and providing a diversity of recreational opportunities.
The public's right to gain physical and visual access to the recreational oppommities and
beauty of New York's coastal resources has long been recognized. However, this right has not
always been easily exercised, particularly in the Long Island Sound region. Here, there are
few facilities open to everyone that offer major recreation oppommities. The general public
is usually excluded from local access and recreational facilities. The nature of existing, as well
as continuing, development makes the provision of additional coastal access and recreation
facilities difficult. Visual access to the waters and shores of the Sound is often blocked by
development. The basic right to use and enjoy public m~st lands can be hindered by structures
that limit the public's ability to reach public trust lands. For example, long docks obstruct
lateral access along public trust lands and impede public use of surrounding public waters.
PUBLIC CO~IST FINDINGS
Public Access, Recreation, and Open Space
· The economic value of water-dependent activities related to public access to and
recreational use of Long Island Sound is substantial. It has been calculated for New
York at approximately $2.238 billion annually.
With th$ exception of Sunken Meadow and Wildwood state parks on Long Island's no~h
shore, Playland, an amusement park in Westchester County, and Pelham Bay Park in
New York City, most large scale active access and recreation facilities on the Long Island
Sound coastline exclude the general public. The major state facilities open to the general
34 Findings and Recommendations
public along the Sound tend to be farthest away from the largest population centers, i.e.
all state parks are located in Suffolk County.
Opportunities to significantly increase the amount and type of public access, recreation,
and open space along the Sound shoreline for the general public are limited, short of
opening local facilities to nonresidents, many of which may not be able to accommodate
increased use.
Opportunities for increased general public access will come from smaller, more
incremental actions such as making improvements at existing state parks, improving
more local parks with state funds and thereby opening them to nonresidents, and
increasing the number of state and state-assisted fishing access points.
· Only a third of the 75 public fishing access sites are open to the general public and these
are not evenly distributed through the region.
· Acquisition of additional open space in the more undeveloped reaches of Suffolk County
is essential, although there are parcels throughout the region that are suitable for public
acquisition as open space, as described in the Open Space Conservation Plan and the
recommendations of the Region 1 Advisory Committee.
· Maintenance and management programs for existing public access areas are as crucial
as providing new space.
· There are opportunities for improving waterfront public access on municipally and state-
owned non-park lands, especially, but not only, when facilities on these lands are
developed, improved, or current uses are discontinued.
Excellent oppommities for new or improved point access, scenic overlooks, or visual
corridors are available from streets terminating at the shoreline.
· There are some brownfields where intensive industrial uses in the past have left
deteriorated, unattractive, and underutilized sites, some of which are contaminated with
toxic materials. There are opportunities for increasing access by developing marine
commercial uses to serve the recreational boating industry and for furthering public
access by establishing waterfront walkways and linear parks.
The existing system of parks and open spaces near and along the Sound shoreline offers
the opportunity for establishing linkages among them in the form of greenways and
blueways, both at the neighborhood and wider scale.
Shipwrecks and Recreational Diving
Recreational diving is the fastest growing water-dependent recreational activity in the
Long Island Sound region; yet, access to the shoreline and boat ramp access for
recreational divers are extremely limited.
· Shipwrecks are important historical, archaeological, and recreational resources that
should be afforded greater protection by state and local governments.
Public Trust and Underwater Lands
Extension of docks and catwalks over public trust lands to reach deep water may exceed
the littoral interests of shorefront landowners and prevents full public enjoyment of trust
lands and waters.
Legal and illegal shoreline obstructions such as fill, structures, and long docks block
lateral access along stretches of the public trust shorelands. Increased development has
eliminated many informal access points along the Sound that were used by fishermen
and others to gain access to public trust lands. Visual access to the Sound is also limited
by development.
FindingsandRecommendations 35
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE SOUND: Recommendations for the Public Coast
Improving Visual.4ccess
Recommendation 25: Identify, preserve, and provide access to regionally important
vistas.
In every part of the Sound coast, there are scenic land and water vistas of state and regional
significance. These include the views of the Sound from Larchmont Manor Park, of the
Huntington Harbor complex from Ocean Avenue in the Village of Northport, of the Sound
and the distant Connecticut shoreline from Route 25A in Smithtown, or, in Smithtown again,
the panoramic view of the Sound and the Nissequogne River from the bluff on the west shore
at its mouth. Protecting these views, as well as identifying and evaluating other views, and
making recommendations for their protection and provisions for public accessibility, can be
accomplished through the Scenic Areas of Statewide Significance Program. Important to this
program would be intermunicipal cooperation in undertaking the necessary comprehensive
planning and zoning to accomplish implementation objectives.
Implementation: The Department of State proposes to identify and evaluate regionally
important scenic land and water vistas in the Long Island Sound region, as pan of the Scenic
Areas of Statewide Significance Program (Executive Law, Article 42 and 19 NYCRR Part
602.5c). The Department of State, in cooperation with local governments, will prepare
management plans for each area designated as a scenic area of statewide significance, which
will identify specific means to protect regionally significant visual access.
The Department of State will assist Local Waterfront Revitalization Program communities
to identify suitable locations where eligible projects can be funded to protect and enhance
visual access and to apply for funds from the Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-First
Century.
The Department of State and the Department of Transportation, utilizing the funding
available from the Environmental Protection Fund and federal dollars through the Scenic
Byways Program, should provide assistance to local governments for the preparation of
appropriate land use controls to protect the scenic integrity of roads identified under the
Scenic Byways Program.
Through funding available from the Scenic Byways Program or the Transportation Equity
Act for the Twenty-First Century, interpretive exhibits to enhance public enjoyment of views
of the coastal environment should be provided at suitable locations.
The state, using funding from the Scenic Byways Program and the Transportation Equity Act
for the Twenty-First Century, should take specific actions, such as the establishment of trails,
selective cutting of vegetation, creation of overlooks along streets and highways, and
provision of interpretive exhibits, to ensure maximum public understanding of designated
scenic areas of statewide significance.
The Department of Environmantal Conservation and/or the Office of Parks, Recreation, and
Historic Preservation should use funding available from the Environmental Protection Fund,
Land and Water Conservation Fund, Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-First Century,
and the Scenic Byways Program to acquire either outright or by use of easements, or provide
grants for acquisition of key parcels of land that are essential to the protection and
management of designated scenic areas of statewide significance. Any lands acquired or
protected through easements should be included in the Open Space Conservation Plan or
subsequent updates.
3 6 Findings and Recommendations
Improving Physical Access
Recommendation 26: Complete a coastal network of community and regional greenways
and blueways that link public waterfront access points, the
foreshore, the nearshore surface waters, and large and small
public parks and open spaces to improve access to the coast and to
coastal recreation facilities.
Governments must cooperate with nonprofit and private interests to identify the actions
needed to complete a network of greenways and blueways. Cooperation is also important
with private groups, such as the non-profit Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, Inc.,
winch have taken an active role in building and maintaining hiking trails that take advantage
of existing greenways. The effort must built upon existing greenway and blueway linkages
to create a regional system.
Local governments through their Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs also have an
opportunity to identify and implement a variety of greenway projects. For example, trails
around the edges of the Sound's many harbors can be established to bring pedestrians to the
water and the activities taking place on the waterfront. Communities can identify linkages
among local parks and open spaces that would be attractive or interesting corridors for
community residents to walk in and between. Communities can also establish blueways for
hand-launched boats.
The acquisition of additional open space in the Long Island Sound region is not only
important for environmental and scenic reasons. It is also important for the development of
greenways, which can serve many public access and recreational purposes.
Implementation: The Department of State, local governments, counties, state agencies, and
private groups should cooperate to identify opportunities to create or expand greenways and
blueways along the Sound coast. As a longer-term effort, the Department of State will work
with state agencies, local governments, counties, and private groups to ensure that a
comprehensive Long Island Sound greenway-blueway plan is implemented. The Department
of Transportation, the Depa~'tt.ent of Environmental Conservation, and the Office of Parks,
Recreation, and Historic Preservation should develop appropriate greenway and blueway
systems within and between their own properties. Funds from the Environmental Protection
Fund (Title 9, Title 3), Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond
Act, and the Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-First Century could be used for this
purpose.
Funds should also be made available from the same funding sources to assist county and local
governments with the development of greenway and blueway projects within and between
state, county, and local public parks, open spaces, and other publicly owned properties.
The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and
Historic Preservation, in acquiring additional open space in the Sound region in accordance
with the recommendations of the state Open Space Conservation Plan, should consider how
these open spaces can be linked within the greenway-blueway system.
Communities with Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs should identify greenway and
blueway systems, including those which could form linkages with the wider regional system.
Recommendation 27: Maintain the public interest in public trust lands along the Sound
coast by identifying these lands and ensuring that all private use
of these lands comports with the public trust doctrine.
A basic inventory information on the exact locations of public trust lands as well as
ownership of other lands should be obtained. Because of the cost of the project, it should be
FindingsandRecomtnendations 37
done incrementally when major planning activities or studies are undertaken for specific
geographic areas, such as harbor management plans, redevelopment strategies, and the like.
The mapped information will show where the public has a fight to go, serve as a basis of
information for approval of permits for structures and activities over or on public trust lands,
and be an important source of information for reasserting public trust rights on public trust
lands being used in a manner that is inconsistent with public trust purposes.
Careful analysis of ownership will often result in a greater than assumed public interest.
Consequently, approvals for construction of in-water structures and activities over or on
public trust lands should be based on adequate information with regard to ownership.
Applicants for permits and authorization for work below mean high water or on lands which
may have been formerly underwater, should be required to demonstrate that they are the
littoral owner and/or have littoral fights and that they are legally using any public trust lands.
Implementation: The Department of State, the Department of Environmental Conservation,
the Office of General Services, any state agency, or local governments undertaking major
plans or studies for specific geographic areas of the Sound should map the coastline for that
area to show the location of trust lands as part of the project. Long Island Sound Coastal
Management Program policy 9 requires documentation from permit applicants showing that
they have littoral fights and are legally using public trust lands. Towns with public trust
responsibilities would be encouraged to seek similar information.
Recommendation 28: Reassert public trust rights on public trust lands that are used in
a manner that is incompatible with the public trust doctrine.
Over the past 200 years, the state and local governments have made grants of underwater land
to private owners for purposes other than beneficial use and enjoyment. Those grants
retained, in most instances, the fight of the public to use the foreshore. Where full fee grants
have been made, the use by the present owner must comport with the best public trust use and
not be injurious to the public good.
The state should review, with the cooperation of municipalities, letters patent to determine
compliance with the public trust doctrine. Because of the high cost of undertaking such a
project, it can be done incrementally when major planning activities or studies are undertaken
for specific geographic areas such as harbor management plans, redevelopment strategies, and
natural area plans. If conditious of a grant have not been complied with, consideration should
be given to whether the letters patent should be canceled.
Implementation: The Department of State, the Deparmaent of Environmental Conservation,
the Office of General Services, or any other state agency undertaking major plans or studies
for specific shoreline areas of the Sound should review: grants of underwater land to private
owners to determine the status of their use with respect to public fights under the public trust
doctrine, and letters patent as described above.
Currently, under the Public Lands Law, sections 8 and 14, the Office of General Services and
the Attorney General are empowered to seek revocation of grants or bring trespass actions
in order to reassert public trust rights on those public trust lands not being used in a manner
consistent with the public trust doctrine.
Recommendation 29: Develop educational materials to inform the public and local
governments on coastal resources and issues that affect the wise
management and use of those resources.
There are many complex issues that affect both governmental and individual decisions on use
and stewardship of the Sound and its resources. Creating an atmosphere in which there is
public stewardship of resources and support for governmental activities to protect resources
or to promote appropriate development will be an important tool in advancing the
recommendations of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program, the Long Island
3 8 Findings and Recommendations
Sound Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan, and other plans and programs. A
public education program using meetings, brochures, public service announcements, and
other tools should be developed with the cooperation of state agencies and local govemments.
Implementation: The Department of State has initiated meetings with appropriate state
agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Environmental
Conservation, BOCES, and Sea Grant, to outline the scope ora public education program to
promote stewardship of the Sound's resources and to define a process for implementing the
program.
Recommendation 30: Prepare and distribute a guide to public access and recreational
areas and facilities for the Long Island Sound region.
The general public is often unaware of opportunities, other than those provided by the few
well-known state parks, for obtaining access to the lands and waters of the Sound. A public
access guide will enable the public to seek out those other lesser known locations that are also
open to the general public but which may not offer the types of active recreation found in the
state parks. These would include public and private nature preserves, historic sites, municipal
and county parks, street ends, etc., many of which offer opportunities for a variety of passive
recreation, such as hiking, nature study, birdwatching, or photography. The guide would also
indicate locations providing visual access to the Sound as well as provide discussions of
important historic, natural, and cultural features of the Sound region. Several states,
particularly California and South Carolina, have prepared excellent public access guides,
which could be used as models for a Sound guide.
Implementation: The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the
Department of State, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Office of
General Services will, as funds are available, cooperatively prepare a public access guide for
the Long Island Sound region.
Recommendation 31: Continue interagency efforts to protect shipwrecks and other
underwater sites of historic or archaeological importance.
There is a need for state agency cooperation to protect shipwrecks and other underwater
cultural resources of historic and archaeological significance, such as inundated historic
stnlctures or lost cargoes, as well as to protect and increase access to these resources.
The coastal policies for Long Island Sound should specifically recognize the historic,
archaeological, and recreational value of shipwrecks and other underwater cultural resources.
Where shipwrecks of historic or archaeological significance are in danger of physical
destruction over a short period of time, an in-depth archaeological survey and excavation of
the vessel should be conducted to conserve as much of it as possible and to preserve the
historic integrity of the vessel or resource and the information that can be derived from it.
Where the resource is not in immediate danger of physical destruction, it should be preserved
in place for recreational diving and historic preservation purposes. Where historic
shipwrecks or other resources of state or national importance are identified, underwater
sanctuaries should be established to preserve the shipwrecks and sites for their historic,
recreational, and/or biological values.
Implementation: The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the
Department of State, the Office of General Services, and the State Museum should
cooperatively protect shipwrecks and other cultural resources of historic and archaeological
significance and value as well as protect and increase access to these and other shipwrecks
by: (1) conducting an inventory and physical survey of all known shipwrecks in Long Island
Sound; and (2) identifying and conducting in-depth surveys of historic and archaeologically
important shipwrecks and other cultural resources that are or should be protected by federal
and state historic protection laws.
Findings and Recommendations 39
The state legislature has amended the Navigation Law to clarify the definition of "wrecks"
and "abandoned historic shipwrecks" to provide greater protection for historic shipwrecks.
Providing a Diversity of Recreational Opportunities
Recommendation 32: Develop an appropriate mLx of, and establish priorities for, public
access and recreation facilities, and open space areas to meet
needs.
The tables which follow list site-specific recommendations by county and group them into
three general categories: fishing and boating access; parks, beaches, and street ends; and
trails, walkways, and greenways. While some activities are obviously confined to a single
category--ocean swimming, for example, is limited to beaches--there are many overlaps
among these categories with respect to the types of activities that can take place. A boat
launch site, for example, can provide access for fishing from boats, as well as for pleasure
boating. In all of the categories, there are many possibilities for engaging in a variety of
passive recreation activities, such as nature study, hiking, photography, bird watching,
picnicking, or just relaxing and enjoying a waterfront scene. Maps 3.0-3.6 depict the
locations of the site-specific recommendations listed in the tables.
The third column of the tables shows the source of the recommendation. Many of the
recommendations were obtained from draft or approved Local Waterfront Revitalization
Programs. A significant number came from the Department of Environmental Conservation's
Marine Recreational Fishing Access Plan, releasedin March 1993. Severalrecommendations
came from the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation's Statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. A few came from the Long Island Regional
Planning Board. One came from the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference. The
recommendations of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program are also noted.
At this time, there are no priorities given for implementation among the many
recommendations, although recommendations cited from drafi Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs can be considered to have a lower priority, because they may be
subject to change during the process of completing and approving the draft Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs.
The Department of Environmental Conservation's Marine Recreational Fishing Access Plan
sets the following priorities for the first five-year phase of implementation, based on the
assumption that a long-term, stable funding source will be established: rehabilitate and/or
expand as many existing boat launch ramps as can be identified and funded; construct at least
one new fishing pier in each county (Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk) and rehabilitate and/or
expand as many existing fishing piers as can be identified and funded; and acquire at least
five new marine beach access properties in the marine district, giving priority to areas on
Nassau County's north shore and on Suffolk County's mid-north shore and east-end ocean,
Sound, and bay shores.
The Open Space Conservation Plan forms the basis for the recommendations for the
acquisition and protection of open space along the immediate coastline in the Long Island
Sound region. The plan identifies 131 priority projects statewide within resource areas and
corridors that deserve immediate attention from the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation, the Deparhnent of Environmental Conservation, and their parmers in land
conservation.
There are eight priority projects identified on the Long Island Sound coastline:
· Northeast Queens Shoreline, New York City: Unique and critical natural resource areas
representing some of the last contiguous coastal habitats in this area. Representative
parcels include, but are not limited to Powells Cove, Udalls Cove, and Udalls Ravine.
40 Findings and Recommendations
Fort Totten: A significant historic fort and grounds in Queens that will provide
waterfront access and recreation opportunities.
Citylsland Wetlands, New York City: A vacant Bronx shorefront area in its natural state
with significant wetlands; may also provide waterfront access.
· Westchester Marine Corridor, Westchester County: The corridor along Westchester
County's marine shoreline on Long Island Sound. The area includes an array of natural
and historical resources and public access and recreation opportunities. Representative
sites include, but are not limited to: Edith Reed Buffer, Davids Island, and Huckleberry
Island.
· Oyster Bay-CoM Spring Harbor: Protection for streambank corridors and uplands
buffering tidal wetlands and tributaries and lands linking existing public holdings.
Acquisition of watershed properties.
Hempstead Harbor Trail, Town of North Hernpstead: Three small parcels that would
link the 1.75 mile Hempstead Harbor Shoreline Trail north toward Beacon Hill and
south toward Roslyn Viaduct which would result in a 3½ mile public walkway along
Hempstead Harbor.
· Arthur Dean Estate, Oyster Bay: This 85-acre estate on Long Island is contiguous to
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. The property would expand the passive
recreation activities at and provide a buffer for the Arboretum.
· Long Island Sound Coastal Area: Select sites along the Long Island Sound coast:
Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor: Protection for streambank corridors and uplands
buffering wetlands and tributaries; lands linking existing public holdings; and
acquisition of watershed properties.
Crab Meadow, Town of Huntington: Lands on the western tributary of, and freshwater
wetlands contiguous to, Crab Meadow offering headwater protection for the wetlands.
Mount Sinai Harbor, Town of Brookhaven: Upland adjacent to wetlands and freshwater
wetlands adjacent to tidal wetlands. An emphasis on Pipe Stave Hollow is
recommended.
Long Creek-Mattituck Inlet, Town of Southold: Tidal wetlands and surrounding upland
is at the inland end of Mattituck Inlet and Creek.
Wading River Creek Wetlands, Town of Southold: Forty-five acres of tidal wetlands
along the river.
Dam Pond East Marion-Orient, Town of Southold: Fifty-five acres of watershed
uplands and tidal pond for habitat protection.
Arshamonque Wetlands: One hundred and seventy-seven acres of extensive contiguous
open space that would link Moore's Woods to Hashamonque Pond.
If these areas are acquired, they would only incrementally improve public access and
recreation opportunities. About 13 percent of the above listed open space proposed for
acquisition is principally to improve or expand access. Over 60 percent of the proposed
acquisitions are to protect wetlands and habitats, although many of these areas will also
provide for some access and passive recreation opportunities. Another 185 acres along the
shoreline are to protect historic resources, although these, too, will provide for public access
and passive recreation. This underscores the need to pursue non-traditional means of
increasing public access and recreational opportunities, as set forth in other recommendations
of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program.
Findings and Recommendations 41
The priority projects were selected by the Department of Environmental Conservation and
the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation from the many areas proposed for
acquisition by the three regional advisory committees covering the Sound region. In light of
the findings in this program concerning insufficient access and recreational areas along the
Sound for the general public, these other areas proposed for acquisition, plus additional ones,
should be weighed and evaluated by the committees, as part of future updates of the Open
Space Conservation Plan.
Priorities for state land conservation actions will follow the criteria for the new, unified
system for evaluation of land conservation projects presented in the Open Space Conservation
Plan. The plan has among its goals one which is particularly important for the public coast:
"To provide high quality outdoor recreation, on both land and water, accessible to New
Yorkers regardless of where they live, how much money they have, or their physical
abilities."
The unified system for evaluation of land conservation projects is designed to meet the
following objectives:
· Identify specific places with exceptional natural resource or recreational values which
may be threatened by land use change or which could serve critical recreational needs.
· Determine the most appropriate strategy for conserving the resource values of those
places including what action should be taken by the Department of Environmental
Conservation or the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Evaluate the costs and benefits of individual land conservation actions.
· Establish priorities for land conservation actions given limited public resources.
· When state land acquisition is the most appropriate strategy, ensure that land to be
acquired is worthy of public investrnent and clearly meets the goals of this plan.
· Provide for statutory and reasonable outside input into the project evaluation process.
Implementation: Future updates of the Open Space Conservation Plan should consider
adding sites that present recreational and public access oppommities along the Sound for the
general public.
The Department of State will identify state-owned, non-park waterfront lands (not including
public trust lands) to determine if opportunities exist to provide a level of public access and
recreational use which is consistent with such factors as proximity to population centers,
public demand, the type and sensitivity of natural resources affected, and the current uses of
the state-owned lands.
The Department of State should take steps to improve access at street ends by: (1)
determining the legality of municipal prohibitions against nonresident parking at street ends
along the Sound that provide access to public trust lands; and (2) reviewing the Community
Highway Improvement Program, which provides state funds to communities for local
highway improvements, to determine if it could be used to ensure that nonresidents have the
same parking rights as residents at street ends on the Sound.
The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation should continue to improve
facilities and their use at existing state parks by increasing maintenance, undertaking
renovations, adding new facilities, and improving transportation access to the parks. The
State Park Infrastructure Fund is an important source of monies for these tasks.
The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the Department of
Environmental Conservation should continue to adapt existing public access and recreation
facilities and provide new activities and facilities to meet the needs of both persons with
disabilities and a demographically changing population, specifically at this time, an
increasingly elderly population. The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
42 Findings and Recommendations
and the Department of Environmental Conservation also should pursue possibilities'to
increase recreational diving opportunities by allowing recreational diving from the shore in
state parks and other state lands on the Sound, where the activity would be compatible and
not interfere with other activities.
Through the Office of General Services and the Attorney General, steps should be taken to
improve access to and use of public trust lands by requiting the removal of physical barriers
or establishing upland easements or other mitigative measures that would eliminate
obstructions to free and unimpeded passage along and use of public trust shorelines. The
Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation should provide perpendicular accessways to public trust lands at all suitable
locations on their access and recreational facilities.
Through concessions, community boating and sailing centers should be established at state
access facilities where small boats (rowboats, canoes, sailboats, etc.) could be rented. Such
centers can provide significant mounts of access to the water from relatively small
waterfront parcels.
Local governments should examine the feasibility of making more recreational access
facilities available, without needing to increase the supply, through the use of intermunicipal
reciprocity agreements. Such agreements between municipalities would allow residents of
a municipality to use access facilities of any other municipality that is a participant in the
agreement.
Important sources of funding for project implementation are the state's Environmental
Protection Fund and the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act. However, some project
recommendations obtained from draft or approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs
may never receive federal or state funding because of the reluctance of the mtmicipalities to
open the project to nonresidents as a condition of receiving such funding.
Findings and Recommendations 43
Table 1 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Westchester County
CATEGORY IRECOMMENDATION iSOURCE
Fishing and New Rochelle, Five Island Park: expand park to provide more fishing and boating facilities. MRFAP
boating access
Village of Mamaroneck, Harbor Island Park: rehabilitate and expand existing boat launch ramp (recently completed). MRFAP
City of Rye, Playland Park: rehabilitate existing fishing pier. MRFAP, LWRP
Westchester County: construct at least one new fishing pier within the next five years. It is recommended that the pier be located in Port MRFAP
Chester due to its designation as a waterfront redevelopment area.
City of Rye, Playland Park: recommend that Westchester County develop a boat launch facility to meet the growing demand for LWRP
recreational boating facilities.
Parks, beaches, Village of Port Chester: expand and enhance Columbus Park to capitalize on its waterfront location by developing new water enhanced LWRP
'and street ends recreational facilities and linking the park via a pedestrian path to a proposed nearby public marina.
Village of Port Chester: expand and improve William James Memorial Park as a passive water enhanced recreation facility. LWRP
Village of Port Chester: develop a new "gateway park" at the entrance to the central business district and the coastal zone to provide needed LWRP
open space in this area and to serve as a small passive park.
City of Rye: provide a vista area at the end of Dearborn Avenue on the Sound by undertaking limited improvements on existing city owned LWRP
property for some park benches and trash receptacles.
City of Rye, Playland Park: the county must maintain the breakwaters around the beach area to prevent beach erosion and retain the LWRP
beaches as an attractive swimming area.
Village of Larchmont: study possibilities for removal of leaf composting at Flint Park. LWRP
City of New Rochelle: Ensure that Davids Island, the largest undeveloped island in the Sound, is retained for full or partial public use that LIS CMP
takes advantage of the island's historic, natural, and scenic setting.
Trails, walkways, Village of Port Chester: construct an appropriately scaled continuous pedestrian walkway in as many locations as feasible along the entire LWRP
and greenways Byram River waterfront of the village.
City of Rye, Blind Brook: refurbish and extend a walkway along Blind Brook from the Rye Nature Center through Disbrow Park to LWRP
Oakland B,each Avenue to improve access to waterfront for passive recreation purposes~
Source of Recommendation~LIS CMP: Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program; LWRP: Local Waterfront Revitalization Program; MRFAP: Marine Recreational Fishing
Access Plan
Table 2 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, New York City
CATEGORY I RECOMMENDATION I SOURCE
Fishing and ~oating Queens, Udalls Cove, Little Neck Bay: provide fishing access at DEC tidal wetland site? MRFAP
access
Bronx, Pelham Bay Park: construct boat launch ramp and develop fishing area. MRFAP
Queens, Bayside Marina: rehabilitate existing boat launch ramp. MRFAP
Queens, Little Bay Park: construct fishing pier and boat launch ramp. MRFAP
City Island: determine poteetial sites for fishing and boating landing piers. MRFAP, NYCCP
Parks, beaches, and I Queens, Udalls Cove/Ravine: acquire private land and map as parkland. NYCCP
street endsI: Queens, Fort Totten: examine the feasibility of park use at the historic battery of the fort. Improve access by expanding the existing NYCCP
bicycle path between the fort's entrance and Northern Boulevard.
Bronx, Pelham Bay Park: implement a containment program for Pelham Bay Landfill as a first step in making greater use of the NYCCP
southern zone of Pelham Bay Park.
Bronx: develop street end point access at Lafayette Avenue within the Bn~sh Avenue industrial area; to the Triborough Bridge and NYCCP
Tunnel Authority Park at Thrngs Neck Bridge; and at Layton, Outlook, Watt, and Randall Avenues.
Bronx, Co-op City: locate a CSO holding tank on a publicly owned site in the area and treat the site's surface for park use if no longer NYCCP
needed by DOT.
Trails, walkways, Queens, Udalls Cove/Ravine: undertake studies to establish a trail system. NYCCP
and greenways
Bronx, Co-op City: develop an esplanade at the Co-op City waterfront. NYCCP
?.
Source of Reeommendation--MRFAP: Marine Recreational Fishing Access Plan; NYCCP: New York City Comprehensive Plan
~MRFAP notes two possibilities for improving fishing access:
Limited off-street parking can be developed at those sites with adequate upland property to accommodate a parking area. A clearing (outlined by plantings and/or wooden posts)
large enough for five or ten cars could supply a user opportunity now very oRen limited only to local residents because of parking restrictions.
On-street parking regulations should be reviewed in those municipalities where there are DEC tidal wetland properties. Municipalities that restrict on-street parking in the vicinity
of such properties should be requested to allow some limited on-street parking within reasonable distance (1/4 mile) surrounding these sites.
Table 3 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Nassau County
CATEGORYIRECOMMENDATION ISOURCE
Fishing and Village of Manorhaven: conduct feasibility/cost analysis for dock rehabilitation and use of adjacent public lands. LWRP
boating access
Sea Cliff, Tappan Beach Marina: remove existing unusable launch ramp and replace; construct bulkhead. MRFAP
Port Washington, Webster Park: construct fishing pier. MRFAP
Parks, beaches, Villages of Saddle Rock and Great Neck, Udalls Mill Pond and Parkland: improve utilization of parkland and public access to the LWRP
and street ends ~ond's shoreline.
Village of Manorhaven: reallocate parking space and develop a long range master plan for uses in Manorhaven Park. LWRP
Village of Manorhaven: as part of undertaking a feasibility and preliminary cost analysis for the rehabilitation of the North Sheets LWRP
Creek Preserve wetland system, develop a public access and nature appreciation program.
Town of North Hempstead, Hempstead Harbor: revitalize the Scudder Lane street end in the Glenwood Landing area to improve LWRP
public access to this part of harbor, including provision ora boat launch.
Town of North Hempstead, Port Washington: redevelop the 960 acre publicly owned site along and adjoining the west shore of Town of North
Hempstead Harbor to provide enhanced physical and visual access to the waterfront, a variety of waterfront and upland active Hempstead
and passive recreation activities and preservation of natural areas.
Town of North Hempstead, Manhasset Bay: provide additional public access and passive recreation on town-owned property Town of North
along the eastern shoreline of Manhassct Bay. Connect upland areas with a series of pathways or boardwalks extending along the Hempstead
full length of the shore.
Trails, walkways, Village of Sea Cliff, H~,,~,atcad Harbor: refurbish steps to beach and construct walkway/trail along the shoreline from Sea Cliff Village Shoreline Study
and greenways Beach to Rum Point, approximating the route of the original boardwalk.
City of Glen Cove, Glen Cove Creek: any new or rehabilitated water, related uses along the creek should include landscaping and LIRPB
walkways to afford pedestrian access and connect public and private properties along the creek.
North Hempstead, Hempstead Harbor: develop shoreline east of West Shore Road between Bar Beach and Roslyn into linear LIRPB, LWRP
park or greenway to improve visual quality of harbor. Inclusion of Roslyn Harbor area in linear park will provide additional
waterfront access to Roslyn CBD, which is a major tourist attraction because of unique scenic nature.
~North Hempstead, Hempstead Harbor: extend the public walkway that connects the Town Dock in Port Washington with Sunset LWRP
Park farther south through the commercial area to just north of the Knickerbocker Yacht Club.
Soume of Recommendation--LIRPB: Long Island Regional Planning Board; LIS CMP: Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program; LWRP: Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program MRFAP: Marine Recreational Fishing Access Plan.
Table 4 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Western Suffolk County
!CATEGORY IRECOMMENDATION ISOURCE
Fishing and' Sunken Meadow State Park: study feasibility of constructing a boat launch ramp. MRFAP
boating access
Kings Park, Kings Park Psychiatric Center: expand use of existing launch ramp on Nissequogue River for general public use. MRFAP
Old Field, Flax Pond: develop limited upland off-street parking at 146 acre DEC tidal wetland site? MRFAP
Northport, Steers Beach South: consider development potential for fishing access. MRFAP
Huntington, Harbor Arts Center: develop as fishing access site. MRFAP
Smithtown, Riverside Conservation Area: complete county improvements in this area to enable/ts use for fishing and canoe launching. LWRP
Parks, beaches, Town of Smithtown, Caleb Smith State Park: OPRHP should acquire certain parcels near the park to help maintain its integrity, quality, LWRP
and street ends and character.
Town of Smithtown: obtain additional land from the state at Kings Park Bluffto enable the existing bluff parking area to be moved back LWRP
from thc bluf[
Town of Smithtown, Callahan's Beach: repair thc damage on the escarpments caused by erosion that threatens to undermine the parking LWRP
and picnic areas.
Town of Smithtown: provide additional public access to the water at Sunken Meadow State Park. SCORP
Village of Lloyd Harbor, Caumsett State Park: develop the park to provide increased public access for passive recreation, commensurate SCORP, LIS CMP
with protection of the park's unique natural environment. Preparation of a comprehensive management plan would be important in this
respect.
Soume of Recommendation~LIS CMP: Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program; LWRP: Local Waterfront Revitalization Program; MRFAP: Marine Recreational Fishing
Access Plan; SCORP: State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
MRFAP notes two poss b I t es for ~mprowng fishing access:
Limited off-street parking can be developed at those sites with adequate upland property to accommodate a parking area. A clearing (outlined by plantings and/or wooden posts)
large enough for five or ten cars could supply a user opportunity now very ot~en limited only to local residents because of parking restrictions.
On-street parking regulations should be reviewed in those municipalities where there are DEC tidal wetland properties. Municipalities that restrict on-street parking in the vicinity
of such properties should be requested to allow some limited on-street parking within reasonable distance 0/4 mile) surrounding these sites.
Table 5 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Eastern Suffolk County
CATEGORY -- ~ ~
Fishing and Mt. Sinai, Davis Island: develop limited upland off-street parking at 6 acre DEC tidal wetland site2
boating ace.ess MRFAP
Riverhead, Baiting Hollow: develop limited upland off-street parking at 77 acre tidal wetland site.~ MRFAP
Mattituck Inlet, Oregon Marsh: develop limited upland off-street parking at 31 acre tidal wetland site? MRFAP
Peconic, Goldsmiths Inlet: construct concrete launch ramp in location not subject to erosion from existing jeay. MRFAP
Matfituck Inlet: construct boat launch ramp on 1.3 acre site purchased from Carey Resources, Inc. MRFAP
Mattituck Inlet, Luther's Road Launch Ramp: construct concrete launch ramp. MRFAP
lamesport, Iron Pier Beach: rehabilitate existing boat launch site and stabilize beach, if it can determined that stabilization is feasible. MRFAP
Wading River, Wading River Creek Boat Launch: rehabilitate existing launch ramp; increase parking area and dredge river mouth. MRFAP
Peconic, Peconie Dunes: provide fishing access during off-season. MRFAP
Parks, beaches, Mattituck, Mattituck Creek: provide for J¢,4eation and various other public uses, including marine recreation and marine commercial, in LIRPB
and street ends connection with the phase-out and removal of various industrial uses on the west side of the mouth of Mattituck Creek.
Inlet Point Pond County Park: provide a small parking area for fishing and other passive activities. LIRPB
Peconic, Goldsmiths Inlet County Park: improve site and parking lot for future uses such as swimming, fishing, and hiking activities. LIRPB
ommendation--LIRPB: Long Island Regional Planning Board; MRFAP: Marine Recreational Fishing Access Plan
tMRFAP notes two possibilities for improving fishing access:
Limited off-street parking can be developed at those sites with adequate upland property to accommodate a parking area. A clearing (outlined by plantings and/or wooden posts)
large enough for five or ten cars could supply a user opporlunity now very often limited only to local residents because of parking restrictions.
On-street parking regulations should be reviewed in those municipalities where there are DEC tidal wetland properties. Municipalities that restrict on-street parking in the vicinity
of such properties should be requested to allow some limited on-street parking within reasonable distance (1/4 mile) surrounding these sites.
Table 6 Public Access and Recreation Recommendations, Western and Eastern Suffolk Counties
CATEGORY IRECOMMENDATION [SOURCE
Trails, walkways, CaumseU, Sunken Meadow, and Wildwood State Parks: provide lateral access along significant distances of the shorelines on either side of LIS CMP
and greenways these parks to provide opportunities for increased recreational use of public trust lands adjacent to the parks. Involved in this would have to
be the removal of any shoreline obstructions to lateral access along public trust lands. This might include removal of illegally placed fill or
structures, provision of access past structures legally located on public trust lands, or provision of in-kind public access through adjacent
upland easements or other mitigation. Street end access points to the shoreline at varying distances on either side of the parks could be
designated as links back inland.
East-west hiking trail through Riverhead and Southold; north-south trail from Peconic River headwaters to Wildwood State Park. LIGTC
Source of Recommendation--LIS CMP: Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program; LIGTC: Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference
Westchester County
Recommended Public Recreational Access
Recommended
F - F'a;hing and Boating Access
P - Parks and Beaches
T - Trails, Walkw'ays, and Greenways
S - Street Ends
MAP 3.0
Existing
[] Public - Restricted ~ Coast;d Boundary
~ Public - No Re~ction~ [~] Street End Access Point
New York City MAP3.;
Recommended Public Recreational Access
Recommended
F - fishing and Boating Access
P - Parks and
T - Trails, Walkways, and Greenways
S - Street Ends
Existing
Private
Public - Restricted
Public - No Restricfiop=
Beach Closure A~eas
Coastal Boundary
Street End Access Point
Nassau County
Recommended Public Recreational
MAP 3.2
Recommended
F - Rshlng and Boating Access
P - Parks and Beaches
T - Trails, Walkway& and Greenways
S - Street Ends
Exlsflng,~
[] Private Beat=% Closure Areas
[] Public - Restricted [~ Coastal Boundary
~ Public - No Restrictions [] Street End Access Point
Western Suffolk County
Recommended Public.
Recreational Access
3.3
Recommended
F - Fishing and Boating Access
P - Parks and Beaches
T - Trails, Walkways, and Greenwaya
S - Street Ends
Existing
Private ,~, Beach Closure Areas
Public - Restricted [~ Coastal Boundary
Public - No Restrictions E~ Street End Access Point
Smithtown - Port Jefferson
Recommended Public Recreational Access,
MAP 3.4
Recommended
F - Fishing and Boating Access
P - Parks and Beaches
T - Trails, Walkways, and Greenways
S - Street Ends
P
Existing
[] Private ,~ Beach Closure Areas
[] Public - Restricted [~ Coastal Boundary
[] Public - No Restrictions ~'1 Street End Access Point
4 S
Eastern Suffolk County
Recommended Public Recreational Access
MAP 3.5
Exi~ing
[] Public - Restricted
~ Public - No Restrictions
Beach Closure ~eas
Coastal Boundary
SWeet End Access Point
Recommended
Fishing and Boating Access
Parks and Beaches
Trails, Walkways, and greenways
Street Ends
MILE8
Eastern Suffolk County
Recommended Public Recreational Access
MAP 3.6
[] Private Existing,~
[] Public - Restricted ~
~ Public - flo Restrictions r-~
Beach Closure Areas
Coastal Boundary
Street End Access Point
Recommended
F - Fishing and Boating Access
P - Parks and Beaches
T - Trails, Walkways, and Greenways
S - Street Enda
THE WORKING COAST
Reinvigorate the Sound's working waterfront, its jobs and products, at
appropriate locations by protecting uses dependent on the Sound, providing
necessary infrastructure, business, and marketing assistance, and promoting
efficient harbor operation.
The Working Coast consists of uses and businesses that share a common trait--they require
a location on the shoreline to function or they depend on harvesting the living or mineral
resources in coastal waters. The Sound's working coast consists of areas where: individual
public or private marinas, yacht clubs, and boat yards exist; concentrations of commercial or
recreational fishing vessels exist; petroleum products, aggregates, or other waterborne
commerce are imported or exported; or fenfies arrive or depart from the shore. These uses
generate billions of dollars for the regional economy and are vital to the economic health of
the region. Long Island Sound's working coast uses should be protected and promoted as
important elements of the region's maritime heritage and economy.
~'ORKING COAST FINDINGS
There are nearly 200 working coast businesses on Long Island Sound. Marinas and boat
yards represent about 75 percent; the remaining 25 percent include fuel transshipment,
commercial fishing facilities, recreational fishing facilities, aggregate transshipment,
ferry terminals, dredging activities, and coastal agriculture.
· Nearly 66 percent, or 125 businesses, are concentrated in 10 embayments:
Port Chester
Mamaroneck Harbor
Echo Bay-New Rochelle Harbor
City Island-East Shore Bronx
Port Washington-Manorhaven
Glen Cove Creek
Huntington Harbor
Northport Harbor
Port Jefferson
Mattituck Inlet
Major challenges facing all water-dependent businesses to varying degrees include:
competition for space on the waterfront and space on the water, inadequate or
deteriorated coastal infrastructure, impacts of regulation and taxation, degradation or
depletion of coastal resources, lack of public awareness of working coast uses and
businesses, and business needs of working coast uses.
Marinas and Boat Yards
· The Long Island Sound region supports one of the country's largest recreational boating
fleets and is a nationally recognized sailing capital.
Growth opportunities for new marinas and boat yards or for expansion of existing
facilities are limited mostly to areas where existing concentrations of water-dependent
uses exist, since these areas are most suitable and present fewer environmental and siting
constraints.
Most successful marinas are large and diversified, selling, servicing, and storing boats.
In successful marinas, over 50 percent of gross revenues can be attributed to support
services related to marinas. An increasing number of small, individual or family owned
and operated marinas and boat yards are converting to corporate owned and operated
businesses to better survive.
There is constant pressure to replace marinas with non-water-dependent uses, primarily
residences and restaurants, in many areas throughout the Sound. Although some
communities protect marinas and boat yards using land use regulations, many
FindingsandRecommendations 57
communities offer no protection for these uses, or do not sufficiently protect or give
preference to these uses over non-water-dependent uses. An added problem is that
marinas are often assessed as non-water-dependent uses even where non-water-
dependent uses are prohibited by local zoning laws.
There is a need for regulatory simplification whether the desired goal is to complete
minor modifications to an existing marina, expand an existing marina, or construct a new
marina. Project approval times need to be coordinated and shortened without
compromising environmental quality.
There are only two boat yards in New York on Long Island Sound which are capable of
servicing large vessels. Boat yards, like marinas, often require some sort of mixed use
or temporary off-season use that can take advantage of a boat yard's equipment to
subsidize their vessel repair operations and seasonal boat yard income. The more
successful boat yards have diversified and are likely to have some permanent or transient
slips.
Commercial Fishing
· There are a total of 146 full- and part-time commercial trap and trawl fishing vessels
based in ports on Long Island Sound; some are nonresident vessels. Many of these
vessels are concentrated in six locations, all in Suffolk County: Huntington Harbor,
Northport Harbor, Port Jefferson Harbor, Setauket Harbor, Mount Sinai, and Mattituck
Inlet.
· The largest segment of the commercial fishing industry is hundreds of independent
baymen and lobstermen.
· The volume of commercial fishery landings in the Sound has increased from 8,360,600
pounds (1987) to 16,567,563 pounds in 1991, nearly 100 percent. The major fisheries,
which include American lobster, hard clams, and surf clams, were worth over $58
million, or 64 percent of the value of total Long Island Sound harvested product ($91
million).
· The Long Island Sound fish and seafood industry's true value is not realized because
much of its harvested product leaves the state for processing.
The commercial harvesters on Long Island Sound face an array of continuing problems.
Many of the constraints on commercial fishers stem from impacts of waterfront
development, conflicts with recreational boaters who have crowded harbors, and reduced
services (repair, fuel, docking, gear storage, pack out space, ice, and processing). Other
problems include conflicts with recreational fisherman over space allocation in the
Sound and depleted stocks.
Recreational Fishing
A report prepared for the Long Island Sound Study, The Economic Importance of Long
Island Sound's Water Quality Dependent Activities, estimates that the 1990 total sport
fishing value for New York State's portion of Long Island Sound is $413 million.
· There are an estimated 50 to 100 party and charter boats operating within the Long
Island Sound region. These boats are concentrated in: City Island, Port Washington,
Huntington, Northport, Port Jefferson, Mount Sinai, and Mattituck Inlet.
· The majority of the commercial recreational fishing vessels on the Sound are smaller
charter boats carrying no more than six passengers.
· Availability of dock space is a major problem. There are few docks on the north shore
that will accept large party or charter boats. In addition, temporary docking and fuel or
other services is a problem in the eastern half of the Sound.
5 8 Findings and Recommendations
Many charter and party boats stationed in ports in the western half of the Sound are
traveling with increased frequency to the east because seasonal poor water quality and
overfishing have lowered fish populations in the western half.
Ferry Development
· A number of problems affect the ability of the existing ferry services to support the
expanded operation of Long Island industries and to improve access to commuters.
These problems are n-affic congestion within the Village of Port Jefferson and the remote
location and the narrow approach road of the Orient Point Ferry, making it of limited use
for commercial transport. These constraints significantly add to the time needed to move
goods. For the region to fully function as an economic unit, improved transportation
linkages will be necessary.
· Ferry service holds potential for significant ridership and offers the following major
advantages: accommodation of large commercial vehicles; a direct link to New England,
allowing direct import and export of products by Long Island and New England
companies; and direct access to major highways on Long Island and in New England.
Because traffic associated with ferry service can adversely affect communities, new or
expanded ferry service should be limited to suitable sites and have the support of local
government.
Transfer and Storage of Petroleum Products
Over 75 percent of the Long Island supply of petroleum products is delivered by tanker
and barge to storage terminals in 10 locations. Northport and Northville receive
products from offshore terrmals where water depths are approximately 45 to 60 feet.
All other petroleum unloading and storage terminals in the region are located in eight
embayments where water depths are relatively shallow.
· Four locations account for nearly 90 percent of petroleum waterborne shipments in the
region: the Hutchinson River in Westchester County; Hempstead Harbor in Nassau
County; and Port Jefferson and Northville in Suffolk County.
· .While transporting petroleum by tanker and barge is an efficient, cost effective way to
~mpon petroleum products, the present system presents environmental and land use
concerns since most of the existing petroleum terminals are located at the heads of
embayments, or in other poorly flushed and highly developed areas. Tanks and terminal
docks can take up valuable waterfront land, and tankers and barges pose a risk of oil
spills and conflicts with other uses in confined waterways.
Aggregate Transshipment
· Sand and gravel are no longer exported from any north shore location on Long Island.
There are no active sand and gravel mines in the coastal area of the Long Island Sound
region and no mining of underwater lands has occurred for over 20 years.
· Nassau and Suffolk counties still produce a significant volume of sand and gravel to
serve the needs of Long Island, but the overall volttme of material has decreased.
Stone must be imported. Barges are the principal means to transport stone from quarries
to north shore bays and harbors. Transshipment points for stone imports in the region
are: Port Chester, Hutchinson River, Hempstead Harbor, Glen Cove, and Port Jefferson.
· Maintaining transshipment points along the Long Island Sound shoreline is necessary
to engure that aggregates can be easily imported and, if necessary although unlikely,
exported from the region.
Findings and Recornmendations 59
Dredging
Most dredging projects are for channels and basins supporting water-dependent uses in
maritime centers. A few channels support water-dependent uses outside of maritime
centers.
There is a trend toward reduced channel and basin depth in maritime centers as industrial
water-dependent uses requiting deep draft channels are replaced by recreational water-
dependent uses.
Some federal channel and basin projects that have been authorized, but not completed
or are partially completed, are no longer necessary for deep draft industrial water-
dependent uses.
Dredging and dredged material disposal are not well coordinated, resulting in
maintenance dredging delays, high costs, multiple event and long-term resource
impairments from projects spread out over time, and the loss of opportunities to use
dredged material for beneficial purposes, such as beach nourishment and landfill
closures.
Coastal .4griculture
The vast majority of agricultural lands in the coastal area of the Long Island Sound
region are located in eastern Suffolk County in the towns of Riverhead and Southold.
Relatively small, isolated pockets of aghcultural land exist in the coastal area in western
Suffolk County. No agricultural land exists in the coastal area of Nassau and
Westchester counties and New York City.
Nursery and greenhouse products account for a majority of market sales, $67 million.
Three other emerging agricultural uses are the grape and wine industry, horse farms, and
the sod industry.
Farms provide freshly grown produce to area markets, as well as significant open space
that maintains the community character important to the east end tourism industry. The
open space that farmland provides on the east end is particularly significant since it
provides relief from the dense development pattem that characterizes parts of the Sound
shoreline and most of Long Island.
· Throughout Suffolk County, including the coastal area, the amount of agricultural lands
continues to diminish due primarily to residential development.
Four techniques are being used by Suffolk County and the towns of Riverhead and
Southold to preserve farmland: purchase of development rights, transfer of development
rights, clustering of housing units, and outright acquisition (used mostly for historic or
watershed protection purposes).
New York State has instituted the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Programs
(Agriculture and Markets Law Article 25-AAA) to provide technical and financial
assistance to counties for agricultural and farmland protection efforts. The Clean
Water/Clean Air Bond Act provides funding for local initiatives that maintain the
economic viability of the agricultural industry, such as purchase of development rights.
· State agricultural districts do not provide permanent protection for farmland.
60 Findings and Recommendations
REINV1GOR.4TE THE WORKING WATERFRONT: Recommendations for the Working Coast
Protecting Uses Dependent on the Sound
Recommendation 33: Improve siting requirements for marinas and other docking
facilities.
The following criteria should be applied when boating and docking facilities are developed
or expanded in the Long Island Sound coastal area:
Site new or expand existing marinas in areas with suitable characteristics including:
sufficient upland space for parking and support facilities, adequate near shore depth,
absence of wetlands that could be affected, compatible water quality classifications,
absence of shellfish beds or fish spawning grounds, minimal need for dredging, and
adequate water circulation.
· Give preference to siting new marinas and yacht clubs in established centers of maritime
activity, where suitable characteristics exist, rather than elsewhere. Siting these uses
outside maritime centers is likely to be problematic due to unsuitable environmental
characteristics and incompatible with various elements that comprise community
character, such as land use, shellfishing, aesthetics, and noise. (The existing maritime
centers that exhibit suitable characteristics include Port Chester, Mamaroneck Harbor,
Echo Bay-New Rochelle Harbor, City Island-East Shore Bronx, Port Washington-
Manorhaven, Glen Cove Creek, Huntington Harbor, Northport Harbor, Port Jefferson
Harbor, and Mattituck Inlet.)
Avoid or minimize adverse impacts on surrounding pre-existing neighborhoods and
communities.
Marinas incorporating marine services and boat repair should have a higher priority than
those providing berthing or storage uses only.
· Marinas should not displace or impair the operation of water-dependent transportation,
industry, or commerce and should not encroach upon navigation channels or channel
buffer areas.
· Incorporate public access to the shore through provisions such as including access from
the upland, boat ramps, and transient boat mooring.
Provide new pumpout facilities unless existing pumpout capacity meets foreseeable
demand; municipally owned and operated pnmpout facilities should be provided free of
charge or for a modest fee to help cover operating expenses.
A boating facility should be treated as a commercial marina, since the potential impacts
can be as significant as those from a commercial marina or yacht club. (A boating
facility means one encompassing 4,000 square feet or greater of surface waters, as
measured by the outermost perimeter of the dock, purposefully designed to
accommodate six or more boats.)
Implementation: Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program provides marina and
other docking facility siting criteria. Local governments should incorporate these criteria into
their Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs, as appropriate to their needs.
Recommendation 34: Increase efforts to preserve the Sound's shellfishery.
To preserve the shellfish resources of Long Island Sound, efforts to protect water quality and
habitat for shellfish, such as hard clams, surf clams, oysters, and mussels, must continue to
be a high 15riority. Efforts to initiate, continue, or expand shellfish assessments or surveys and
to collect harvesting data in order to implement appropriate management measures are
recommended, particularly for the high value hard and surf elam, and oyster shellfishery.
Spawner stock protection efforts, such as closing selected harvest grounds, establishing
Findings and Recornmendations 61
maximum legal harvesting size limits to protect the most productive shellfish, improving
nonpoint source pollution controls, and preventing and reducing use conflicts between
shellfishing and other uses, such as vessel mooring areas, are recommended. Controlled entry
in the commercial hard clam shellfishery in Long Island Sound should be considered in
addition to maximum catch lin'fits to help reduce overharvesting.
State and local marine patrols must continue and should be coordinated to provide efficient
and effective enforcement of shellfish, natural resource, and water quality regulations.
Consideration should be given to the preparation of a shellfish plan by local governments and
the state that would evaluate the above actions, as well as others, and include a strategy to
preserve and improve the Sound's shellfishery.
Implementation: The Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of
State will focus efforts on appropriate restoration efforts of shellfish resources. Restoration
of shellfish habitats is critical, and is being undertaken with funds provided through the Clean
Water/Clean Air Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund. Further, the Department
of State will encourage Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs to address shellfish
management issues.
As appropriate, amend the state's recreational and commercial harvest regulations and
improve enforcement of existing regulations by state environmental conservation officers.
State harvest and fishery regulations must work to prevent overharvesting and ensure fair
stock allocation between recreational and commercial users.
Amend local recreational and commercial harvest regulations and improve enforcement of
existing regulations by local environmental enforcement officers. This action can also be
advanced through Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs.
Recommendation 35: Provide for petroleum transshipment and encourage phase-out
of certain oil storage facilities.
Spills or leaks from oil storage facilities in areas with productive shellfish beds, state-
designated coastal fish and wildlife habitats, or federal wildlife refuges could cause significant
harm. To reduce this potential, neither new facilities nor expansion of existing facilities should
occur in these areas. In addition, with its productive shellfish beds and other high value
natural resources, the existing Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor facilities should be phased
out over time as other opportunities for petroleum transshipment and storage are developed
and as feasible site reuse options are presented. These facilities are relatively small-scale
storage facilities, are served by an onshore offioading and storage facility, are not part of a
pipeline transfer system, and are located in a harbor area that exhibits outstanding natural
resource values.
Implementation: The Department of State and the Depa~hnent of Environmental
Conservation application of regulatory standards to reduce risks, Department of State
assistance to local governments on land use regulations as part of Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs, and market forces will implement this recommendation.
Recommendation 36: Implement a state oil spill contingency plan.
The Depa~ hnent of Environmental Conservation is working with the U.S. Coast Guard, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to finalize an
oil spill contingency plan for the state's marine district. The petroleum industry, the
Department of Environmental Conservation, the federal government, public interest groups,
and local emergency services agencies have all indicated that an oil spill contingency plan is
necessary. The plan would be fully coordinated with and use the equipment and personnel
of all levels of government and of the petroleum industry. Sufficient resources should be
devoted to this effort, and other state agencies and local governments should cooperate in
preparation of the plan.
62 Findings and Recommendations
Implementation: The Depa~hnent of Environmental Conservation has completed an
operational plan for the state's marine district to implement this recommendation. Individual
harbor response plans are now being prepared by the Department of Environmental
Conservation.
Recommendation 37: Protect agriculture and farmland.
Agricultural districts, the primary mechanism used by the state to protect agricultural lands,
provide incentives for farmers to continue farming through lower tax assessments and
protection from nuisance suits for an eight-year period. They do not provide permanent
protection. Eight-, twelve-, and twenty-year agricultural district terms are permitted, but so
far only eight-year districts have been created. In addition, the Agricultural and Markets Law
was recently amended to include Article 25-AAA which authorizes counties to prepare county
agricultural and farmland protection programs. Technical and financial assistance is provided
for preparing and implementing the plans.
Suffolk County recently completed the Suffolk County Agricultural and Farmland Protection
Plan in accord with the provisions of Article 25-AAA, section 324, of the State Agriculture
and Markets Law. The plan was funded in part with a grant from the Depat'tment of
Agriculture and Markets and identifies various techniques and strategies to protect Suffolk's
remaining farmland.
Implementation: Purchasing development rights is an effective way to protect and preserve
agricultural lands of statewide importance. Likely state funding sources include the
Environmental Protection Fund, the Farmland Protection Trust Fund, and the Clean
Water/Clean Air Bond Act. Since 1996, the state has awarded more than $2 million for
projects on Long Island, where development pressure on farmland is the highest. The
Department of Agriculture and Markets is evaluating a list of approximately 40 parcels that
have been recommended for protection by Suffolk County and the eastern Long Island
municipalities.
Furnishing Necessary Infrastructure
Recommendation 38: Improve the economic viability of maritime centers, by working
with local governments and the private sector to identify
opportunities and priorities for public and private investments
to upgrade necessary infrastructure such as: water and sewer
lines; maintenance dredging of navigation channels and
anchorage basins, docks, and piers; bulkheads; boat ramps;
sidewalks and parking lots; rest rooms; pumpout stations; and
waterfront parks.
Focusing infrastructure investments will enable government and the private sector to better
plan improvements for inadequate or deteriorated infrastructure. This infrasmacture, which
is often too expensive for many water-dependent businesses to maintain or provide on their
own, is necessary to sustain water-dependent uses and improve the quality and attractiveness
of the working coast. Maritime centers will better enable the public sector to target existing
economic assistance programs to strengthen the region's waterfront economy. By directing
the growth of water-dependant commemial and industrial uses to maritime centers,
government will more fully use existing public investment in waterfront infrastructure.
Identifying maritime centers, and setting management priorities for each, ensures an effective,
systematic approach for waterfront infrastructure investment.
Implementation: The Department of State will work in parmership with local govemmants
to establish priorities for infrastructure improvements. Based on the established priorities,
public and private funds can be pursued to invest and complete projects in maritime centers.
Findings and Recommendations 63
The Department of State will seek funding from existing state sources and other federal, local,
and private sources to construct necessary projects.
Recommendation 39: Investigate options to obtain capital funds needed for necessary
infrastructure in the Sound's maritime centers.
Since colonial times, waterborne commerce has been key to the economic growth and vitality
of the state. Today, centers of maritime activity and ports are critical links in the state's system
of intermodal transportation, since they allow commercial vessels to transfer waterborne
commerce to landside transportation, such as trucks and trains, from which goods are
transported to inland wholesale or retail markets or airports. The centers of maritime activity
and ports link many of the state's businesses to water transportation and help to ensure that a
wide variety of low cost goods and services are available to consumers. Waterborne
transportation is one of the least expensive, safest, and environmentally sound methods of
transportation available today. Increasingly centers of maritime activity and ports are also
being used for marine recreational purposes.
Infrastxucture is aging and deteriorating in the Sound's maritime centers as well as in other port
and maritime locations in the state's coastal area. Declining infrastructure in the state's centers
of maritime activity and ports impairs the ability of water-dependent uses to function
efficiently and prosper, having a negative affect on the state's maritime economy of
waterborne commerce, transportation, and recreation. Waterfront communities and waterfront
business owners fred it difficult, if not impossible, to afford maintenance of existing
infrastructure and to provide new improved infrastructure.
A critical and cosily infraslxucture problem is the need to maintain adequate depths in existing
navigation channels and basins to ensure unobstructed and efficient vessel access to and from
maritime centers and ports. Obstructed navigation channels and basins, caused by excessive
sediment accumulation, adversely affects the state's intermodal transport system, rendering it
inefficient and unsafe. This is a pressing issue facing nearly all of the state's maritime centers
and ports. Many private or local government dredging proposals have either been significantly
reduced in scale or abandoned all together due to prohibitive project costs for sediment testing,
dredging, and disposal. Two major problems that contribute to the high cost of dredging
projects are: (1) the cost to test sediment for contaminants, and (2) if contaminated sediments
are found, the lack of suitable disposal areas. Finding suitable disposal areas can cause
inordinately long delays in, or the cancellation of, dredging projects.
Implementation: To ensure that Long Island Sound's maritime centers continue to serve
important regional economic and recreational needs, consideration should be given to the
ongoing infrastructure and maintenance needs of these harbors and how capital investments
might be made. The Department of Transportation, Empire State Development, and the
Depamnent of State should analyze the Sound's maritime centers to establish: the relative
economic importance of these areas to the state, the range of primary infrastructure needs,
how the state can assist in ensuring that primary infrastructure needs are met, which state
agencies should be responsible for providing infrastructure, and the means to generate funds
to pay for infrastructure improvements. The Department of Environmental Conservation
should be involved in assessing the environmental impacts of dredging and disposal options.
Recommendation 40: Assist the commercial fishing industry in providing adequate
commercial fishing infrastructure.
Commercial harvesters are faced with problems related to inadequate fishery infrastructure on
Long Island Sound. The following types of support facilities are necessary to meet the needs
of the commercial fishing industry:
· dock space and offioading areas at Huntington Harbor, Northport Harbor, Port Jefferson
Harbor, Setauket Harbor, and Mount Sinai; maintain these facilities at Mattituck Inlet
64 Findings and Recommendations
· gear storage space in Huntington Harbor, Northport Harbor, Port Jefferson Harbor, and
Setauket Harbor
appropriately scaled baymen's docks in suitable locations near areas of significant harvest
activity or provisions for mooring or dock space at existing piers
water and power hookups at Mattituck Inlet and at other unloading stations where
hookups are needed
repair, commercially priced fuel, ice, refrigeration, and storage facilities at appropriate
locations
· adequate road access to commercial fishing ports
commercial fishing support facilities in western Long Island Sound where no significant
facilities exist
· fish processing facilities, since value-added product can produce higher economic return
to the fish and seafood industry and the region (Following the example of other states,
the feasibility of a state government built and/or funded, centrally located processing
facility on Long Island that would process a wide variety of product from island-wide
sources should be explored.)
Implementation: Public and private investments for construction of fishing docks and other
necessary infrastructure for harvesters would advance this action.
The completion of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs, including harbor management
plans, that identify priority commemial fishing infrastructure needs will advance this action.
Recommendation 41: Construct artificial fishing reefs.
Artificial fishing reefs, such as the one in Smithtown Bay, create suitable habitat and
sanctuaries to increase fish populations in the vicinity of the reef. In accord with the state's
Plan for the Development and Management of Artificial Reefs in New York's Marine and
Coastal District, the state should site artificial reefs in the Long Island Sound off Matinecock
Point in the Town of Oyster Bay, Eatons Neck in the Town of Huntington, Mount Sinai in the
Town of Brookhaven, and Mattituck Inlet in the Town of Southold; the state should maintain
the existing reef in Smithtown Bay in the Town of Smithtown. Consideration should be given
to establishing management zones in the vicinity of the reefs to minimize the potential for use
and gear conflicts. In addition to requiting that artificial reefs planned for the Sound are
properly designed, sited, and constructed, the state must ensure that artificial reefs are not
constructed with hazardous materials or substances.
Implementation: The Department of Environmental Conservation should consmact artificial
reefs in the Sound as fiscal resources allow.
Recommendation 42: Encourage private enterprise to develop private ferry services
which are compatible with community needs.
Ferries provide an option to tracks and automobiles for freight and commuter movement.
They can also offer enjoyable recreational experiences. The state should support the
development of private ferries and their location in maritime centers. If ferries cannot be sited
in maritime centers, commuter ferries may be located in appropriate locations outside these
areas.
Implementation: The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program and Local
Waterfront Revitalization Programs will be used to guide ferry services to appropriate
locations.- Where there is local consensus and support, the state will continue to work with
local and county governments and the private sector to establish new commuter ferry routes
to New York City and other destinations from shoreline locations on the Sound.
Findings and Recommendations 65
Recommendation 43: Support private initiatives to complete a system of offshore
unloading terminals and a pipeline distribution system to
transport petroleum to inland locations.
The completed portion of Long Island's pipeline system consists of: (1) two offshore
unloading terminals at Northport and Northville; (2) a submarine pipeline that transports oil
from the offshore unloading terminals to inland storage tanks; and (3) an overland pipeline
distribution system that begins in Port Jefferson and transports petroleum two miles south to
storage facilities in East Setauket, then seven miles further south to storage facilities in
Holtsville, and then 26 miles west to storage facilities in Plainview, a combined total distance
of 35 miles. Completing the system would entail the construction off
an offshore unloading platform and submarine pipelines at Port Jefferson; explore the
feasibility of an offshore unloading facility to serve Nassau County
a pipeline distribution system from Northville south to Riverhead and then west to the
major inland storage facilities in Holtsville; if an offshore unloading terminal is thought
to be necessary for Nassau County, explore the feasibility of a pipeline distribution
system in Nassau County to connect to the inland storage facilities at Plainview
A completed system would eliminate the need: (1) for federal dredging projects to facilitate
the movement of petroleum products, (2) to locate petroleum storage facilities on the
waterfront, and (3) for large petroleum carrying vessels and barges to enter embayments with
their associated environmental risks. Such pipelines should be well-maintained and closely
monitored to assure that the risk of spills is minimized.
Implementation: An assessment should be made of the environmental and economic issues
and potential impacts associated with the proposed reconfiguration of petroleum import
facilities that serve the Long Island Sound region. The assessment should include an analysis
of the following: the impact on the region's oil supply in the near term, the potential effect on
increased track movement on Long Island's highway system, the risk of supply accidents, and
the effects on the cost of fuel delivery.
Providing Business and Marketing/lssistance
Recommendation 44: Ensure that property tax assessments appropriately reflect the
use value of waterfront land occupied by water-dependent
commercial and industrial uses.
Property tax assessments for working coast uses are often not based on the use of the land for
commercial or industrial water-dependent activities, but rather on the anticipated "highest and
best use," which is often residential, even though such uses do not exist in the area or are not
permitted by zoning. This practice may place an unfair economic burden on working
waterfront businesses. The result is that some water-dependent businesses, in order to pay
higher tax bills not reflective of the tree use of the land, have to sell. As a result, the
economies of small communities are weakened, and well-paying jobs are lost.
Implementation: Local governments can protect working coast uses through a variety of
means. Among these are enacting zoning that classifies waterfront lands where water-
dependent uses are concentrated for those uses and establishing a clear policy ihat the highest
and best use of lands occupied by working coast uses is for those uses. In education programs
for local assessors, this recommendation could be advanced by emphasizing the responsibility
of assessors to look at the use and zoning of parcels used by water-dependent businesses when
setting assessments and not the "highest and best value" for other uses. Finally, other
techniques could be evaluated, including a use-value assessment program, similar to the
Agricultural Districts Law.
66 Findings and Recommendations
Recommendation 45: Expedite regulatory approvals for appropriate water-dependent
uses in maritime centers.
The following approaches should be considered to expedite the review process while
maintaining environmental standards for appropriate water-dependent uses in mar/time
centers:
A generic environmental impact statement could bc prepared for existing or proposed water-
dependent uses to cover a range of improvements or routine maintenance activities. The
generic environmental impact statement should be undertaken in conjunction with the
development of a harbor management plan. The generic environmental impact statement for
the maritime center plan could provide harbor specific information about: existing land and
water uses; natural resources; permitted land and water uses; redevelopment opportunities and
objectives; natural resource protection and restoration objectives; other relevant data on
environmental conditions; performance standards and design guidelines for future
development; and perhaps a generic environmental impact statement that covers information
typically asked of applicants by regulators. The generic environmental impact statement
would expedite the review of existing permits and could be the basis for issuing a general
permit.
A consolidated application process could be developed to contain: one standard application
which is copied to, and reviewed by, all the involved state agencies; for major proposals, a
pre-application meeting or scoping session attended by involved agencies; a single hearing;
and one state approval. Additionally, permits for water-dependent uses in the maritime centers
could receive priority processing.
The use of reconfiguration perimeter permits by the Department of Environmental
Conservation should be continued and expanded. Perimeter permits allow the alteration or
reconfiguration of in-water structures, such as the number, width, length, and location of
docks, piles, and ramps within the perimeter or envelope of an existing docking facility. This
type of permit allows owners of marinas or other water-dependent uses to respond more
rapidly to changing market conditions regarding vessel widths and lengths, by adjusting the
number and location of boat slips. The reconfiguration perimeter should be shown on a map
or survey that clearly shows the relationship to neighboring properties, underwater land
boundaries and owners, existing facilities and uses, and natural resources. Reconfignration
perimeter permits should be site and facility specific. Ifa state-approved maritime center plan
were in place, an increased number or greater range of activities would be allowed consistent
with the plan.
Implementation: Encourage relevant local governments to prepare the above referenced
generic environmental impact statements, in cooperation with the Department of State, and
the Department of Environmental Conservation. Further, amend relevant state permit
regulations to improve the regulatory process in maritime centers, while maintaining
environmental integrity.
Local governments can also cooperate with the state to improve their regulatory processes.
Recommendation 46: Continue efforts with the private sector to market fishery
products.
The state should continue its efforts with the commercial fishing industry by providing
information and guidance on product development and marketing assistance to locate in the
most lucrative foreign and domestic markets. Product and marketing assistance will focus
primarily .on underutilized species. The potential to establish new foreign and domestic
markets is promising given the close proximity of New York's two international airports and
the specialty markets created by the large number and diversity of restaurants in New York
City. This can be achieved by:
Findings and Recommendations 67
· increasing the seafood industry's access to federal government programs, such as the
Market Access Program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture,
United States Department of Commerce. The United States Food and Drug
Administration also provide assistance in developing export market opportunities
· assisting the seafood industry in applying for grants to develop export market plans for
seafood products through the export market development programs administered by the
Empire State Development
· ass!sting the indu. stry in applying for low interest loans bom Empire State Development's
various econonuc development programs to improve their effectiveness in accessing
domestic and foreign markets.
· exploring ways the Sound's commercial harvesters can sell their products directly to
consumers from unloading stations or locations near unloading stations.
Implementation: Increased efforts by relevant state agencies is necessary to improve product
development and identify new markets for the commemial fishing industry.
Recommendation 47: Encourage the private sector development of aquaculture.
The culture of aquatic animals and plants has developed into a billion dollar industry in the
United States. Many states have aquaculture plans and guidelines that are used in projects
with commercial harvesters or to encourage and guide private sector led development of
aquaculture facilities. Some states actively seek out aquaculture investors by offering low
interest loans, grants, and technical assistance. New York State does not have a
comprehensive aquaculture plan to work with commercial harvesters or guide investors
planrdng to develop aquaculture facilities in the state.
With the exception of shellfish culture, minor emphasis has been placed on the actual culture
of marine finfish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants. Culture of these species for food, cosmetic,
and medicinal purposes could provide revenue for the commercial fishing industry and return
revenue to the region and its communities. Aquaculture should be encouraged, provided that
the introduction of nonindigenous species, introduction or recurrence of disease, or the
displacement of native stocks or viable habitat do not occur.
Implementation: The agencies with an interest in facilitating aquaculture--Department of
Agriculture and Markets, Office of General Services, Empire State Development, and the
departments of Environmental Conservation and State should consider: guidelines and
regulations regarding the culture of aquatic plants and animals in the marine district; the
specific geographic areas in the Sound and the marine dis~ct that could be designated
exclusively for aquaculture facilities, particularly pen-culture and off-bottom culture; and a
listing of species conducive to culture.
Promoting Efficient Harbor Use
Recommendation 48: Work with local governments to improve the safety and
efficiency of harbors.
Conflicts between water-dependent and non-water-dependent uses, and conflicts between
water-dependent commercial and recreational uses within Long Island Sound's harbors have
substantially increased in recent years. Increased conflicts have created competition for space
on the foreshore, surface waters, and underwater lands of the Sound's harbors. These
conflicts degrade the natural and cultural characteristics of harbors and interfere with the
development and operation of uses that are appropriate to the harbors. These conflicts also
limit the ability of communities to accommodate potential growth of water-dependent
recreation uses without displacing existing water-dependent uses or threatening important
natural or cultural resources.
68 Findings and Recommendations
The Department of State should assist local governments to address these issues. Through
Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs, harbor management plans can address the needs
of water-dependent commercial and industrial uses and minimize water use conflicts for all
water bodies in the region, beginning with the maritime centers. It is necessary to take into
account commercial and recreational vessel traffic, including traffic generated by existing and,
if appropriate, potential ferry services, to ensure that vessel traffic does not pose a public
safety hazard. It will also be necessary to address public access, recreation, natural resource
protection, water quality, aesthetic values, common law littoral rights, and the public interest
in lands underwater.
The Department of State and local governments should ensure that the Office of General
Services is involved so the use and occupation of state-owned underwater lands comports
with the public trust and with Office of General Services lease and easement program.
Implementation: The Department of State needs to provide increased planning, technical,
and financial support through the Environmental Protection Fund (Title 11, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs) to local governments to complete harbor management plans.
Recommendation 49: Ensure that dredging is done to the extent necessary to meet the
current and future needs of water-dependent commercial and
industrial uses of the Long Island Sound.
The very existence, continuation, and promotion of waterborne transportation, commerce, and
recreation in maritime centers and in other, limited areas outside of maritime centers are
dependent upon channel or basin dredging. Navigation channels and basins need to be
maintained in order to support existing and to attract new water-dependent uses which rely
on and benefit from sufficient navigation channels and basins. However, large-scale dredging
projects for new channels and maintenance of existing large, deep channels and basins have
waned throughout the region. The need for large, deep draft channels and basins is not as
great, since many waterfront sites, once characterized by water-dependent industrial uses, are
now used principally for marinas, yacht clubs, boat ramps, boat repair, water-enhanced, or
residential uses which require only the dredging of smaller basins and spur channels. This
change in uses has reduced the need for maintaining large, deep channels and basins.
Implementation: Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program provides standards that
call for protecting and maintaining existing navigation channels at the appropriate depth for
vessels using the harbor.
The Department of State, in conjunction with local government, should complete management
plans for maritime centers that contain harbor-specific information about dredging needs and
more detailed dredging standards. The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program will
be amended to include the enforceable policies and standards from the completed
management plans.
The Department of State should ensure local governments' participation and cooperation in
working with the state to control nonpoint source pollution and thus lessen the amount of
sediment reaching the Sound's navigation channels and basins.
Recommendation 50: Expedite and coordinate dredging projects within maritime
centers.
Dredging and disposal of contaminated material are not well coordinated. This lack of
coordination typically results in: the misuse of valuable sand supplies for non-related
shoreline projects; excessive delays in completing simple maintenance dredging because
suitable dredged material disposal sites remain unidentified; and the inability of dredging
sponsors to take advantage of combining their projects to reduce costs.
Improved dredging coordination for both public and private entities, could increase
opportunities to resolve problems such as: the lack of clean dredged material for beach and
Findings and Recommendations 69
dune restoration projects, the lack of suitable material to cap polluted sediments, and the
excessive cost of testing and monitoring. Costs could be reduced by conducting monitoring
and testing for multiple dredging and disposal projects located in close proximity to each
other at one time, rather than separately at different times. Costs could be reduced by
scheduling multiple dredging projects in one location rather than moving equipment to
complete dredging projects scheduled for different times. Coordinated dredging and disposal
projects could also minimize long-term resource impairments resulting from multiple
dredging projects spread out over long periods of time, and minimize the cumulative and
secondary impacts within harbor areas and offshore disposal areas.
Implementation: This action can be advanced through public/private cooperative efforts in
maritime centers to provide specific information on dredging needs and disposal options.
Improved coordination will occur through consultations with local governments and
commercial waterfront property owners during the planning process and during project
review phases.
The Department of State will work with local governments that may want to create harbor
improvement districts to support local dredging needs.
The Long Island Sound Study is revising the Long Island Sound Dredged Material
Management Plan, which will greatly improve federal and state coordination of dredging and
material disposal activities. The departments of Environmental Conservation and State are
actively involved in this revision.
70 Findings and Recommendations
Chapter 4
LONG ISLAND SOUND COASTAL POLICIES
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program policies presented in this chapter
consider the economic, environmental, and cultural characteristics of the Long Island Sound
coastal region. They take the place of the statewide policies of the New York State Coastal
Management Program. The policies are comprehensive and reflect existing state laws and
authorities. They represent a balance between economic development and preservation that
will permit beneficial use of and prevent adverse effects on the Sound's coastal resources.
The policies are the basis for federal and state consistency determinations for activities
affecting the Long Island Sound coastal area. They are also a guide for development of new
Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and revisions to approved Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs. Definitions of terms used in the policies appear at the end of the
chapter.
The policies are organized under four headings: developed coast policies, natural coast
policies, public coast policies, and working coast policies.
SUMMARY OF POLICIES
The following is a summary list of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management policies.
DEVELOPED COAST POLICIES
Policy I Foster a pattern of development in the Long Island Sound coastal area that
enhances community character, preserves open space, makes efficient use of
infrastructure, makes beneficial use of a coastal location, and minimizes adverse
effects of development.
Policy 2 Preserve historic resources of the Long Island Sound coastal area.
Policy 3 Enhance visual quality and protect scenic resources throughout Long Island
Sound.
NATURAL COAST POLICIES
Policy 4 Minimize loss of life, structures, and natural resources from flooding and erosion.
Policy 5 Protect and improve water quality and supply in the Long Island Sound coastal
area.
Policy 6 Protect and restore the quality and function of the Long Island Sound ecosystem.
Policy 7 Protect and improve air quality in the Long Island Sound coastal area.
Policy 8 Minimize environmental degradation in the Long Island Sound coastal area from
solid waste and hazardous substances and wastes.
PUBLIC COAST POLICIES
Policy 9 Provide for public access to, and recreational use of, coastal waters, public lands,
· and public resources of the Long Island Sound coastal area.
Long Island Sound Coastal Policies 71
I'VORKING COAST POLICIES
Policy 10
Policy 11
Policy 12
Policy 13
Protect Long Island Sound's water-dependent uses and promote siting of new
water-dependent uses in suitable locations.
Promote sustainable use of living marine resources in Long Island Sound.
Protect agricultural lands in the eastern Suffolk County portion of Long Island
Sound's coastal area.
Promote appropriate use and development of energy and mineral resources.
LONG ISLAND SOUND COASTAL POLICIES
DEVELOPED COAST POLICIES
Policy 1 Foster a pattern of development in the Long Island Sound coastal area that
enhances community character, preserves open space, makes efficient use of
infrastructure, makes beneficial use of a coastal location, and minimizes
adverse effects of development.
The regional character of Long Island Sound's coast is defined by the pattern of developed
and open land. Within the Sound's pattern of development, the developed land features 17
waterfront communities that serve regional economic functions. These communities possess
a distinctive character, reflecting their maritime heritage, and serve as focal points for
commercial, cultural, and recreational activities within the region. In the western two-thirds
of the Sound coastal region, suburban residential development around and between these
communities is also an important element of the regional character.
Natural areas, parks, woodlands, working agricultural lands, and large estates comprise the
open space component of the Sound's pattern of development. This component is dominant
in the eastern half of the Sound coastal region. The ren'minir~g large estates, parkland, and
fragments of open and wooded lend found in the western half of the Sound coastal region take
on added significance in defirdng community character because their acreage is more limited.
The open landscape provides ecological, scenic, recreational, and economic benefits to the
Sound region.
The collection of natural, recreational, commercial, ecological, cultural, and aesthetic
resources in the community or landscape defines its character; and the distribution of
developed and open lands establishes a pattern of human use that reflects an historic choice
between economic development and preservation of coastal resources.
Development that does not reinforce the Ixaditional pattern of human use would result in an
undesirable loss of the community and landscape character of the Long Island Sound coastal
region. Development, public investment, and regulatory decisions should preserve open
space and natural resources and sustain the historic waterfront communities as centers of
activity. Water-dependent uses generally should locate in existing centers of maritime activity
in order to support the economic base and maintain the maritime character o1' these centers,
and to avoid disturbance of shorelines and waters in open space areas.
The policy is intended to foster a development pattern that provides for beneficial use of the
Sound's coastal resources. The primary components of the desired development pattern are:
strengthening traditional waterfront communities as centers of activity, encouraging water-
dependent uses to expand in maritime centers, enhancing stable residential areas, and
preserving open space.
72 Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies
1.1 Concentrate development and redevelopment in or adjacent to traditional
waterfront communities.
Maintain traditional waterfront communities and ensure that development within these
communities supports and is compatible with thc character of the community.
Focus public investment, actions, and assistance in waterfront redevelopment areas to
reclaim unused waterfront land and brownfields for new purposes.
Locate new development where infrastructure is adequate or can be upgraded to
accommodate new development.
1.2 Ensure that development or uses take appropriate advantage of their Coastal
location.
Reserve coastal waters for water-dependent uses and activities.
Accommodate water-enhanced uses along the Sound waterfront where they are
compatible with surrounding development, do not displace or interfere with water-
dependent uses, and reflect the unique qualities of a coastal location through appropriate
design and orientation.
Allow other uses that derive benefit from a waterfront location, such as residential uses,
in appropriate locations.
Avoid uses on the waterfront which cannot by their nature derive economic benefit
from a waterfront location.
1.3 Protect stable residential areas.
Maintain stable residential areas and allow for continued compatible residential and
supporting development in or adjacent to such areas.
1.4 Maintain and enhance natural areas, recreation, open space, and agricultural
lands.
Avoid loss of economic, environmental, and aesthetic values associated with these
areas.
Avoid expansion of infrastructure and services which would promote conversion of
these areas to other uses.
Maintain natural, recreational, and open space values including those associated with
large estates, golf courses, and beach clubs.
1.5 Minimize adverse impacts of new development and redevelopment.
Minimize potential adverse land use, environmental, and economic impacts that would
result from proposed development.
Minimize the potential for adverse impacts of types of development which individually
may not result in a significant adverse environmental impact, but when taken together
could lead to or induce subsequent significant adverse impacts.
Policy 2 Preserve historic resources of the Long Island Sound coastal area.
Archaeological sites and historic structures are tangible links to the past development of a
con'unun/ty--both its cultural and economic life--providing a connection to past generations
and events. The Native American sites, Colonial era farmsteads and outbuildings, 19th
century commercial districts, fishing villages, lighthouses, shipwrecks, and Gilded Age
mansions are important components in defining the Sound's distinctive identity and heritage.
In a broader sense, these resources, taken together, continue to shape the coastal culture of the
Long Island Sound region.
Long Island Sound Coastal Policies 73
Although large numbers of prehistoric and historic sites have been lost as a result of urban
growth, the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has determined that the
Long Island Sound coastal region contains numerous archaeological sites in all prehistoric
stages and many intact historic resources and structures. These resources remain threatened
by development and individual actions.
The intent of this policy is to preserve the historic and archaeological resources of the Long
Island Sound coastal area. Concern extends not only to the specific site or resource but to the
area adjacent to and around specific sites or resources. The quality of adjacent areas is often
critical to maintaining the quality and value of the resource. Effective preservation of historic
resources must also include active efforts, when appropriate, to restore or revitalize. While
the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program addresses all such resources within the
coastal area, it actively promotes preservation of historic, archaeological, and cultural
resources that have a coastal relationship.
2.1 Maximize preservation and retention of historic resources.
Preserve the historic character of the resource by protecting historic materials and
features or by making repairs using appropriate measures.
Provide for compatible use of the historic resource, while limiting and minimizing
alterations to the resource.
Minimize loss of historic resources or historic character when it is not possible to
completely preserve the resource.
Relocate historic structures only when the resource cannot be preserved in place.
Allow demolition only where alternatives for retention are not feasible.
Avoid potential adverse impacts of development on nearby historic resources.
2.2 Protect and preserve archaeological resources.
Minimize potential adverse impacts by redesigning projects, reducing direct impacts on
the resource, recovering artifacts prior to construction, and documenting the site.
Prohibit appropriation of any object of archaeological or paleontological interest
situated on or under lands owned by New York State, except as provided for in
Education Law, § 233.
2.3 Protect and enhance resources that are significant to the coastal culture of the
Long Island Sound.
Protect historic shipwrecks.
Prevent unauthorized collection of artifacts 15om shipwrecks.
Protect the character of historic maritime communities.
Preserve and enhance historic lighthouses and other navigational structures by
providing for their long-term protection through the least degree of intervention
necessary to preserve the structure. Consider extensive shoreline stabilization only if
relocation of historic lighthouses is not feasible.
Policy 3 Enhance visual quality and protect scenic resources throughout Long Island
Sound.
Visual quality is a major contributor to the character of the Long Island Sound region and its
communities, .and the primary basis for public appreciation of the Sound's landscape. The
Sound coastal region includes different landforms, a variety of upland and shoreline
vegetation, a complex land and water interface, well-defined harbors, and historic villages.
Some areas need particular emphasis on improving visual quality in order to support the
74 Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies
character of the Sound. In addition to the many highly scenic natural resources found
throughout the Sound, the variety of cultural elements in the landscape and the interplay of
the built and natural environments are of particular importance to the visual quality of the
Sound.
The intent of this policy is to protect and enhance visual quality and protect recognized scenic
resources of the Sound's coastal area.
3.1 Protect and improve visual quality throughout the coastal area.
Enhance existing scenic characteristics by minimizing introduction of discordant
features.
Restore deteriorated and remove degraded visual elements, and screen activities and
views which detract from visual quality.
Preserve existing vegetation and establish new vegetation to enhance scenic quality.
Group or orient structures to preserve open space and provide visual organization.
Improve the visual quality associated with urban areas and the historic maritime
communities on Long Island Sound.
Anticipate and prevent impairment of dynamic landscape elements that contribute to
ephemeral scenic qualities.
Recognize water-dependent uses as important additions to the visual interest of the
Sound's coast.
Protect scenic values associated with public lands, including public mast lands and
waters, and natural resources.
3.2 Protect aesthetic values associated with recognized areas of high scenic quality.
Protect aesthetic and scenic values associated with the Nissequogne River, and any
areas designated as scenic areas of statewide significance.
Prevent impairment of scenic components that contribute to high scenic quality.
NATURAL COAST POLICIES
Policy 4 Minimize loss of life, structures, and natural resources from flooding and
erosion.
Within the Long Island Sound coastal area, there are presently more than 8,200 buildings and
other structures located in special flood hazard areas, and over 1,200 buildings and other
structures seaward of thc present coastal erosion hazard area boundary. In response to
existing or perceived erosion and flood hazards, many landowners have constructed erosion
protection structures. Approximately 50 percent of the Sound shoreline has been armored
with erosion control structures, and the trend is continuing. In Suffolk County, for example,
only 8.96 miles of the 132.5 miles of the Sound shoreline was engineered with riprap,
bulkheads, or seawalls in 1969. Today, 43.7 miles of the county's shoreline are hardened.
This significant increase in the miles of hardened shoreline is generally not associated with
water-dependent uses in maritime centers but mostly for uses that do not have a functional
relationship to coastal waters. While some erosion conlxol structures are necessary to protect
development, there are many erosion control structures located along the Long Island Sound
shore that are not necessary for erosion protection or may cause erosion.
Erosion protection structures often contribute to erosion both on and off the site due to poor
design an.d siting and lack of downdfift remediation. Increased erosion, aesthetic
impairments, loss of public recreational resources, loss of habitats, and water quality
degradation can result from erosion protection structures. The cumulative impact of these
structures can be large. Before a permit is granted to allow construction of erosion protection
Long Island Sound Coastal Policies 75
structures, the purpose, function, impact, and alternatives to a structure need to be carefully
evaluated to determine that the structures are necessary and to avoid adverse impacts.
Although the Long Island Sound shoreline has been heavily fortified, there are significant
stretches of the coast that remain in a natural state. The natural shoreline has an inherent
natural, social, and economic value that should be respected to ensure continuing benefits to
the state and the region. Consequently, those portions of the Sound shoreline that are not
fortified should generally remain in a natural condition to respond to coastal processes.
Development and redevelopment in hazard areas needs to be managed to reduce exposure to
coastal hazards. Hardening of the shoreline is to be avoided except when alternative means,
such as soft engineering alternatives, are not effective. Beach nourishment, revegetation,
offshore bar building, or inlet sand bypassing are preferred approaches to control erosion
because of fewer environmental impacts than hard structures. Hard structures may be more
practical to protect principal structures or areas of extensive public investment. Areas of
extensive pubhc investment include City Island and the Throgs Neck in the Bronx, the Cross
Island Parkway section of Queens, Bayville, the Asharoken tombolo, Sunken Meadow State
Park, Wildwood State Park, portions of waterfront redevelopment areas, and the maritime
centers.
Barrier landforms that protect significant public investment or natural resources should be
maintained. Soft structural protection methods are to be used to conform with the natural
coastal processes. Barrier beach landforms should be maintained by using clean, compatible
dredged material, when feasible, for beach nourishment, offshore bar building, or marsh
creation projects.
Sea level rise relative to the shore is another significant factor in the incidence of erosion and
flooding over time. For the Sound, tidal gauge data collected within the last 100 years
suggests a relative sea level rise varying from about 0.1 inches to less than 0.04 inches per
year. At that rate, a horizontal movement of mean sea level of one to three inches per year
(assuming a 1 on 30 beach/nearshore slope) is anticipated in the region. As a result, sea level
rise should be considered when projects involving substantial investments of public
expenditures are designed.
This policy seeks to protect life, structures, and natural resources from flooding and erosion
hazards throughout the Long Island Sound coastal area. The policy reflects state flooding and
erosion regulations and provides measures for reduction of hazards and protection of
resources.
4.1 Minimize losses of human life and structures from flooding and erosion hazards.
Use the following management measures, which are presented in order of priority: (1)
avoid development other than water-dependent uses in coastal hazard areas; (2) locate
or move development and structures as far away from hazards as practical; (3) use
vegetative non-structural measures which have a reasonable probability of managing
flooding and erosion, based on shoreline characteristics including exposure, geometry,
and sediment composition; (4) enhance existing natural protective features and
processes, and use non-structural measures which have a reasonable probability of
managing erosion; (5) use hard structural erosion protection measures for control of
erosion only where the above measures are not sufficient to protect the principal use,
or the use is water-dependent or reinforces the role of a maritime center or a waterfront
redevelopment area.
Mitigate.the impacts of erosion control structures.
Manage development in floodplains outside of coastal hazard areas so as to avoid
adverse environmental effects, to minimize the need for structural flood protection
measures, and to meet federal flood insurance program standards.
76 Long Island Sound Coastal Policies
4.2 Preserve and restore natural protective features.
Prevent development in natural protective features except development as specifically
allowed in 6 NYCRR Part 505.8.
Maximize the protective capabilities of natural protective features by: avoiding
alteration or interference with shorelines in a natural condition; enhancing existing
natural protective features; restoring impaired natural protective features; and managing
activities to minimize interference with, limit damage to, or reverse damage winch has
diminished the protective capacities of the natural shoreline.
Minimize interference with natural coastal processes by: providing for natural supply
and movement of unconsolidated materials; minimizing intrusion of structures into
coastal waters and interference with coastal processes; and mitigating any unavoidable
intrusion or interference.
4.3 Protect public lands and public trust lands and use of these lands when
undertaking all erosion or flood control projects.
Retain ownersinp of public trust lands winch have become upland areas due to fill or
accretion resulting from erosion control projects.
Avoid losses or likely losses of public txust lands or use of these lands, including public
access along the shore, which can be reasonably attributed to or anticipated to result
from erosion protection structures.
Mitigate unavoidable impacts on adjacent property, natural coastal processes and
natural resources, and on public trust lands and their use.
4.4 Manage navigation infrastructure to limit adverse impacts on coastal processes.
Manage navigation channels to limit adverse impacts on coastal processes by designing
channel construction and maintenance to protect and enhance natural protective features
and prevent destabilization of adjacent areas; and make beneficial use of suitable
dredged material.
Manage stabilized inlets to limit adverse impacts on coastal processes.
4.5 Ensure that expenditure of public funds for flooding and erosion control projects
results in a public benefit.
Give priority in expenditure of public funds to actions which: protect public health and
safety; mitigate flooding and erosion problems caused by previous human intervention;
protect areas of intensive development; and protect substantial public investment in
land, infrastructure, and facilities.
Expenditure of public funds is: limited to those circumstances where public benefits
exceed public cost; and proinbited for the exclusive purpose of protecting private
development, except where actions are undertaken by an erosion protection district.
4.6 Consider sea level rise when siting and designing projects involving substantial
public expenditures.
Policy 5 Protect and improve water quality and supply in the Long Island Sound
coastal area.
The purpose of this policy is to protect the quality and quantity of water in the Long Island
Sound area. Quality considerations include both point source and nonpoint source pollution
managem6nt. The primary quantity consideration is the maintenance of an adequate supply
of potable water in the region.
LonglslandSoundCoastalPolicies 77
The Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan developed by the Long Island Sound
Study (1994) clearly summarizes the major surface water quality impairments in the region.
These impairments reflect the intensity of upland and water uses in the Sound coastal area,
and result from both point and nonpoint sources. Impairments also result from pollution
sources outside the Sound coastal area. Consequences of water quality impairments include
hypoxia, a major problem in the western portions of the coastal area; reduced availability of
crustaceans and certified, marketable shellfish; increased closure days for beaches; and
reduced enjoyment of the Sound shoreline.
Due to the geologic and soil characteristics of the Sound coastal region, surface water
pollution can readily contaminate groundwater resources. The sandy, highly porous soils of
Long Island allow nutrients and other pollutants to pass with little filtration into aquifers.
Since Long Island is served by a sole-source aquifer, activities that introduce pollutants to
surface waters must be controlled. In addition, nutrient input from groundwater flow into
embayments is, in some cases, a significant factor in water quality impairments. For these
reasons, land use, even in upland areas, can have permanent adverse effects on water quality
in this region.
Water quality protection and improvement in the region must be accomplished by the
combination of managing new and remediating existing sources of pollution. In some areas
with existing water quality impairments, more aggressive remediation measures will be
needed than for the region as a whole.
5.1 Prohibit direct or indirect discharges which would cause or contribute to
contravention of water quality standards.
Restore Long Island Sound's water quality by reducing impairments caused by major
sources of pollution by: limiting nitrogen loadings from waste water treatment plants
to levels at or below levels occurring in 1990, reducing nitrogen discharges sufficient
to limit the occurrence of hypoxia, and remediating existing contaminated sediment, and
limiting introduction of new contaminated sediment.
Prevent point source discharges into coastal waters and avoid land and water uses which
would: (1) exceed applicable effluent limitations, or (2) cause or contribute to
contravention of water quality classification and use standards, or (3) materially
adversely affect receiving water quality, or (4) violate a vessel waste no-discharge zone
prohibition.
Ensure effective treatment of sanitary sewage and industrial discharges by maintaining
efficient operation of treatment facilities, providing secondary treatment of sanitary
sewage, improving nitrogen removal capacity, incorporating treatment beyond
secondary for new wastewater treatment facilities, reducing demand on facilities,
reducing loading of toxic materials, reducing or eliminating combined sewer overflows,
and managing on-site disposal systems.
5.2 Manage land use activities and use best management practices to minimize
nonpoint pollution of coastal waters.
5.3 Protect and enhance the quality of coastal waters.
Protect water quality based on physical factors (Ph, dissolved oxygen, dissolved solids,
nutrients, odor, color, and turbidity), health factors (pathogens, chemical contaminants,
and toxicity), and aesthetic factors (oils, floatables, refuse, and suspended solids).
Minimize disturbance of streams, including their beds and banks, in order to prevent
erosion Of soil, increased turbidity, and irregular variation in velocity, temperature, and
level of water.
78 Long Island Sound Coastal Policies
5.4
5.5
Protect water quality of coastal waters from adverse impacts associated with excavation,
fill, dredging, and disposal of dredged material.
Limit the potential for adverse impacts of watershed development on water
quality and quantity.
Protect water quality by ensuring that watershed development protects areas that
provide important water quality benefits, maintains natural characteristics of drainage
systems, and protects areas that are particularly susceptible to erosion and sediment
loss.
Limit the impacts of individual development projects to prevent cumulative water
quality impacts upon the watershed which would result in a failure to meet water quality
standards.
Protect and conserve the quality and quantity of potable water.
Prevent contamination of potable waters by limiting discharges of pollutants and
limiting land uses which are likely to contribute to contravention of surface and
groundwater quality classifications for potable water supplies.
Prevent depletion of existing potable water supplies by limiting saltwater intrusion in
aquifers and estuaries through conservation methods or reslrictions on water supply use
and withdrawals and allowing for recharge of potable aquifers.
Limit cumulative impacts of development on groundwater recharge areas to ensure
replenishment of potable groundwater supplies.
Policy 6 Protect and restore the quality and function of the Long Island Sound
ecosystem.
The Long Island Sound ecosystem consists of physical (non-living) components, biological
(living) components, and their interactions. Its physical components include environmental
factors such as water, soils, geology, energy, and contaminants. The biological components
include the plants, animals, and other living things in and around the Sound.
Certain natural resources that are important for their contribution to the quality and biological
diversity of the Sound ecosystem have been specifically identified by the state for protection.
These natural resources include regulated tidal and freshwater wetlands; designated
Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats; and rare, threatened, and endangered species.
In addition to specifically identified discrete natural resources, the quality of the Sound
ecosystem also depends on more common, broadly distributed natural resources, such as the
extent of forest cover, the population of overwintering songbirds, or benthic communities.
These more common natural resources collectively affect the quality and biological diversity
of the Sound ecosystem.
This policy also recognizes and provides for enhancement of natural resources within
regionally important natural areas for which management plans have been prepared.
6.1 Protect and restore ecological quality throughout Long Island Sound.
Avoid significant adverse changes to the quality of the Long Island Sound ecosystem
as indicated by physical loss, degradation, or functional loss of ecological components.
Maintain values associated with natural ecological communities.
Retain and add indigenous plants.
Av6id fragmentation of natural ecological communities and mainta'm corridors between
ecological communities. Maintain structural and functional relationships between
natural ecological communities to provide for self-sustaining systems.
LonglslandSoundCoastaIPolicies 79
Avoid permanent adverse change to ecological processes.
Reduce adverse impacts of existing development when practical.
Mitigate impacts of new development; mitigation may also include reduction or
elimination of adverse impacts associated with existing development.
6.2 Protect and restore Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats.
Protect Long Island Sound's designated significant coastal fish and wildlife habitats
from uses or activities which would destroy habitat values or significantly impair the
viability of the designated habitat beyond its tolerance range which is the ecological
range of conditions that supports the species population or has the potential to support
a restored population where practical.
Where destruction or significant impairment of habitat values cannot be avoided,
minimize potential impacts through appropriate mitigation.
Wherever practical, enhance or restore designated habitats so as to foster their continued
existence as natural systems.
6.3 Protect and restore tidal and freshwater wetlands.
Comply with statutory and regulatory requirements of the state's wetland laws.
Use the following management measures, which are presented in order of priority: (1)
prevent the net loss of vegetated wetlands by avoiding fill or excavation; (2) minimize
adverse impacts resulting from unavoidable fill, excavation, or other activities; and (3)
provide for compensatory mitigation for unavoidable adverse impacts. Provide and
maintain adequate buffers between wetlands and adjacent or nearby uses and activities
to protect wetland values.
Restore tidal and freshwater wetlands wherever practical to foster their continued
existence as natural systems.
6.4 Protect vulnerable fish, wildlife, and plant species, and rare ecological
communities.
6.5 Protect natural resources and associated values in identified regionally important
natural areas.
Protect natural resources comprising a regionally important natural area. Focus state
actions on protection, restoration, and management of natural resources.
Protect and enhance activities associated with sustainable human use or appreciation of
natural resources.
Provide for achievement of a net increase in wetlands when practical opportunities exist
to create new or restore former tidal wetlands.
Adhere to management plans prepared for regionally important natural areas.
Policy 7 Protect and improve air quality in the Long Island Sound coastal area.
This policy provides for protection of the Long Island Sound coastal area fi.om air pollution
generated within the coastal area or from outside the coastal area which adversely affects
coastal air quality.
7.1 Control or abate existing and prevent new air pollution.
Limit pollution resulting from new or existing stationary air contamination sources
consistent with applicable standards, plans, and requirements.
Recycle or salvage air contaminants using best available air cleaning technologies.
80 Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies
7.2
7.3
Limit pollution resulting from vehicle or vessel movement or operation.
Limit actions which directly or indirectly change transportation uses or operation
resulting in increased pollution.
Restrict emissions or air contaminants to the outdoor atmosphere which are potentially
injurious or unreasonably interfere with enjoyment of life or property.
Limit new facility or stationary source emissions of acid deposition precursors
consistent with achieving final control target levels for wet sulfur deposition in sensitive
receptor areas, and meeting New Source Performance Standards for the emissions of
oxides of nitrogen.
Limit discharges of atmospheric radioactive material to a level that is as Iow as
practicable.
Limit sources of atmospheric deposition of pollutants to the Sound, particularly
from nitrogen sources.
Policy 8 Minimize environmental degradation in the Long Island Sound coastal area
from solid waste and hazardous substances and wastes.
Most, if not all, Long Island towns have solid waste management plans approved by the
Department of Environmental Conservation. In addition, all significant Long Island landfills
have been assigned monitors employed by the Department of Environmental Conservation
to ensure that adverse impacts, such as leachates to groundwater, are mitigated. The
Department of Health is implementing a gas monitoring system. Smaller and more
incremental solid waste problems arise from littering.
The intent of this policy is to protect people from sources of contamination and to protect
Long Island Sound's coastal resources from degradation through proper control and
management of wastes and hazardous materials. In addition, this policy is intended to
promote the expeditious remediation and reclamation ofha?ardous waste sites in and around
Glen Cove Creek and other areas to permit redevelopment. Attention is also required to
identify and address sources of soil and water contamination resulting from landfill and
hazardous waste sites and in-place sediment contamination in the Long Island Sound region.
8.1 Manage solid waste to protect public health and control pollution.
Plan for proper and effective solid waste disposal prior to undertaking major
development or activities generating solid wastes.
Manage solid waste by: reducing the amount of solid waste generated, reusing or
recycling material, and using land burial or other approved methods to dispose of solid
waste that is not otherwise being reused or recycled.
Prevent the discharge of solid wastes into the environment by using proper handling,
management, and transportation practices.
Operate solid waste management facilities to prevent or reduce water, air, and noise
pollution and other conditions harmful to the public health.
8.2 Manage hazardous wastes to protect public health and control pollution.
Manage hazardous waste in accordance with the following priorities: (1) eliminate or
reduce generation of hazardous wastes to the maximum extent practical; (2) recover,
reuse, or recycle remaining hazardous wastes to the maximum extent practical; (3) use
detoxification, treatment, or destruction technologies to dispose of hazardous wastes
that cannot be reduced, recovered, reused, or recycled; (4) use land disposal as a last
resort.
Phase out land disposal of industrial hazardous wastes.
Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies 81
Ensure maximum public safety through proper management of industrial hazardous
waste treatment, storage, and disposal.
Remediate inactive hazardous waste disposal sites.
8.3 Protect the environment from degradation due to toxic pollotants and substances
hazardous to the environment and public health.
Prevent release of toxic pollutants or substances hazardous to thc environment that
would have a deleterious effect on fish and wildlife resources.
Prevent environmental degradation due to persistent toxic pollutants by: limiting
discharge of bioaccumulative substances, avoiding resnspension of toxic pollutants and
hazardous substances and wastes, and avoiding reentry of bioaccumulative substances
into the food chain from existing sources.
Prevent and control environmental pollution due to radioactive materials.
Protect public health, public and private property, and fish and wildlife from
inappropriate use of pesticides.
Take appropriate action to correct all unregulated releases of substances hazardous to
the environment.
8.4 Prevent and remediate discharge of petroleum products.
Minimize adverse impacts from potential oil spills by appropriate siting of petroleum
offshore loading facilities.
Have adequate plans for prevention and control of petroleum discharges in place at any
major petroleum-related facility.
Prevent discharges of petroleum products by following approved handling and storage,
and facility design and maintenance principles.
Clean up and remove any petroleum discharge, giving first priority to minimizing
environmental damage.
8.5 Transport solid waste and hazardous substances and waste in a manner which
protects the safety, well-being, and general welfare of the public; the
environmental resources of the state; and the continued use of transportation
facilities.
8.6 Site solid and hazardous waste facilities to avoid potential degradation of coastal
resources.
PUBLIC COAST POLICIES
Policy 9 Provide for public access to, and recreational use of, coastal waters, public
lands, and public resources of the Long Island Sound coastal area.
The Long Island Sound shoreline is one of the most densely populated coastal regions along
the eastern seaboard, yet physical and visual access to coastal lands and waters is limited for
the general public. Limitations on reaching or viewing the coast are further heightened by a
general lack of opportunity for diverse forms of recreation at those sites that do provide
access. Often access and recreational opportunities that are available are limited to local
residents. Existing development has made much of the coast inaccessible and new
development has diminished remaining opportunities to provide meaningful public access.
In addition to loss of opportunities for physical access, visual access has also been lost due
to the loss of x~antage points or outright blockage of views. Access along public trust lands
of the shore has been impeded by long docks, and shoreline fortification has led to physical
loss of access.
82 Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies
Existing public access and opportunities for recreation are inadequate to meet the needs of the
residents of the Sound, let alone residents of the state. Given the lack of adequate public
access and recreation, this policy incorporates measures needed to provide and increase public
access throughout the Sound. The need to maintain and improve existing public access and
facilities is among these measures, and is necessary to ensure that use of existing access sites
and facilities is optimized in order to accommodate existing demand. Another measure is to
capitalize on all available oppommities to provide additional visual and physical public access
along with appropriate opportunities for recreation.
9.1 Promote appropriate and adequate physical public access and recreation
throughout the coastal area.
Provide convenient, well-defined, physical public access to and along the coast for
water-related recreation.
Provide a level and type of public access and recreational use that takes into account
proximity to population centers, public demand, natural resource sensitivity,
accessibility, compatibility with on-site and adjacent land uses, and needs of special
groups.
Protect and maintain existing public access and water-related recreation.
Provide additional physical public access and recreation facilities at public sites.
Provide physical access linkages throughout Long Island Sound.
Include physical public access and/or water-related recreation facilities as part of
development whenever development or activities are likely to limit the public's use and
enjoyment of public coastal lands and waters.
Provide incentives to private development which provides public access and/or water-
related recreation facilities.
Restrict public access and water-related recreation on public lands only where
incompatible with public safety and protection of natural resources.
Ensure access for the general public at locations where state or federal funds are used
to acquire, develop, or improve parkland.
9.2 Provide public visual access from public lauds to coastal lands and waters or open
space at all sites where physically practical.
Avoid loss of existing visual access by limiting physical blockage by development or
activities. Minimize adverse impact on visual access.
Mitigate loss of visual access by providing for on-site visual access or additional and
comparable visual access off-site.
Increase visual access wherever practical.
9.3 Preserve the public interest in and use of lands and waters held in public trust by
the state, New York City, and towns in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Limit grants, easements, pen'nits, or lesser interests in lands underwater to those
instances where they are consistent with the public interest in the use of public trust
lands.
Determine ownership, riparian interest, or other legal right prior to approving private
use of public trust lands under water.
Limit grants, including conversion grants, in fee of underwater lands to exceptional
circumstances.
Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies 83
9.4
Reserve such interests or attach such conditions to preserve the public interest in use of
underwater lands and waterways which will be adequate to preserve public acc~ess,
recreation opportunities, and other public trust purposes.
Evaluate oppommities to re-establish public trust interests in existing grants which are
not used in accordance with the terms of the grant, or are in violation of the terms of the
lease, or where there are significant limitations on public benefits resulting from the
public trust doctrine.
Assure public access to public trust lands and navigable waters.
Ensure that the public interest in access below mean high water and to navigable waters
is maintained.
Allow obstructions to public access when necessary for the operation of water-
dependent uses and their facilities.
Permit interference with public access for riparian non-water-dependent uses in order
to gain the minimum necessary reasonable access to navigable waters.
Use the following factors in determining the minimum access necessary: the range of
tidal fluctuation, the size and nature of the water body, the uses of the adjacent waters
by the public, the traditional means of access used by surrounding similar uses, and
whether alternative means to gain access are available.
Mitigate substantial interference or obstruction of public use of public trust lands and
navigable waters.
HXORKING CO.~ST POLICIES
Policy 10 Protect Long Island Sound's water-dependent uses and promote siting of
new water-dependent uses in suitable locations.
The intent of this policy is to protect existing water-dependent commercial, industrial, and
recreational uses and to promote suitable use of maritime centers. It is also the intent of this
policy to enhance the economic viability of water-dependent uses by ensuring adequate
infrastructure for water-dependent uses and their efficient operation in maritime centers.
There are nearly 200 water-dependent uses located along the Long Island Sound shore. These
uses are vital to the economic health of the region. The Sound's commercial fishing fleet is
a prominent water-dependent use and is addressed separately in policy 11.
10.1 Protect existing water-dependent uses.
Avoid actions which would displace, adversely impact, or interfere with existing water-
dependent uses.
10.2 Promote maritime centers as the most suitable locations for water, dependent uses.
Ensure that public actions enable maritime centers to continue to function as centers for
water-dependent uses.
Protect and enhance the economic, physical, cultural, and environmental attributes
which support each maritime center.
10.3 Allow for development of new water-dependent uses outside of maritime centers.
New water-dependent uses may be appropriate outside maritime centers if the use: (1)
should not be located in a maritime center due to the lack of suitable sites; or (2) has
uuique locational requirements that necessitate its location outside maritime centers; or
(3) would adversely impact the functioning and character of the maritime center if
located within the maritime center; or (4) is of a small scale and has a principal purpose
of providing access to coastal waters.
84 Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies
10.4 Improve the economic viability of water-dependent uses by allowing for non-
water-dependent accessory and multiple uses, particularly water-enhanced and
maritime support services.
10.5 Minimize adverse impacts of new and expanding water-dependent uses, provide
for their safe operation, and maintain regionally important uses.
Site new and expand existing marinas, yacht clubs, boat yards, and other boating
facilities where there is: adequate upland for support facilities and services; sufficient
waterside and landside access; appropriate nearshore depth to minimize dredging;
suitable water quality classification; minimization of effects on wetlands, shellfish beds,
or fish spawning grounds; and adequate water circulation.
Maintain existing ferry services and promote new ferry services to increase the
transportation efficiency of passengers and cargo in the Sound region.
Improve protection of natural resources when importing, transshipping, or storing
petroleum products by promoting inland storage and offshore transshipment of product.
Maintain regionally important aggregate transshipment facilities.
10.6 Provide snffieient infrastructure for water-dependent uses.
Protect and maintain existing public and private navigation lanes and channels at depths
consistent with the needs of water-dependent uses.
Provide new or expanded navigation lanes, channels, and basins when necessary to
support water-dependent uses.
Use suitable dredged material for beach nourishment, dune reconstruction, or other
beneficial uses.
Avoid placement of dredged material in Long Island Sound when opportunities for
beneficial reuse of the material exist.
Allow placement of suitable dredged material in nearshore locations to advance
maritime or port-related functions, provided it is adequately contained and avoids
negative impacts on vegetated wetlands and significant coastal fish and wildlife
habitats.
Avoid shore and water surface uses which would impede navigation.
Give priority to existing commercial navigation in determining rights to navigable
waters.
Provide for services and facilities to facilitate commercial, industrial, and recreational
navigation.
Foster water transport for cargo and people.
Maintain stabilized inlets at Glen Cove Creek, Port Jefferson, Mount Sinai, Mattituck
Inlet, and Silver Eel Pond.
10.7 Promote efficient harbor operation.
Lim/t congestion of harbor waters, conflict among uses, foster navigational safety, and
rnmmuze obstructions in coastal waters to reduce potential hazards to navigation.
Prohibit any increase or additional use of coastal waters if such an increase or addition
poses a public safety hazard, which cannot be mitigated.
Prohibit intrusions or encroachments upon navigation channels and other identified
vessel use areas.
Long Island Sound Coastal Policies 85
Policy 11 Promote sustainable use of living marine resources in Long Island Sound.
The living marine resources oft_he Sound play an important role in the social and economic
well-being of the people of Long Island. Commercial and recreational uses of the Sound's
living marine resources constitute an important contribution to the economy of the region and
the state. Commercial products provide high protein food sources to consumers and are
distributed throughout the state and nation, and to expanding international markets. In
addition to the food value of the Sound's living marine resources, they have economic
significance in the commercial development of value-added food stuffs, pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics, and oils. These same resources provide recreational experiences and important
accompanying economic activity.
Continued use of the Sound's living resources depends on maintaining long-term health and
abundance of marine fisheries resources and their habitats, and on ensuring that the resources
are sustained in usable abundance and diversity for future generations. This requires the
state's active management of marine fisheries, protection and conservation of habitat,
restoration of habitats in areas where they have been degraded, and maintenance of water
quality at a level that will foster occurrence and abundance of living marine resources.
Allocation and use of the available resources must: (1) be consistent with the restoration and
maintenance of healthy stocks and habitats, and (2) maximize the benefits of resource use so
as to provide valuable recreational experiences and viable business opportunities for
commercial and recreational fisheries. Based upon ownership of underwater lands, many
towns also provide for the direct management of shellfish resources of Long Island Sound.
11.1 Ensure the long.term maintenance and health of living marine resources.
Ensure that commercial and recreational uses of living marine resources are managed
in a manner that: results in sustained useable abundance and diversity of the marine
resource; does not interfere with population and habitat maintenance and restoration
efforts; uses best available scientific information in managing the resources; and
minimizes waste and reduces discard mortality of marine fishery resources.
Ensure that the management of the state's transboundary and migratory species is
consistent with interstate, state-federal, and interjurisdictional management plans.
Protect, manage, and restore sustainable populations of indigenous fish, wildlife
species, and other living marine resources.
Foster occurrence and abundance of Long Island Sound's marine resources by:
protecting spawning grounds, habitats, and water quality; and enhancing and restoring
fish and shellfish habitat, particularly for anadromous fish, oysters, and hard clams.
11.2 Provide for commercial and recreational use of the Sound's finfish, shellfish,
crustaceans, and marine plants.
Maximize the benefits of marine resource use so as to provide a valuable recreational
resource experience and viable business opportunities for commercial and recreational
fisheries.
Where fishery conservation and management plans require actions that ~ould result in
resource allocation impacts, ensure equitable dis~ibution of impacts among user groups,
giving priority to existing fisheries in the state.
Protect the public health and the marketability of marine and fishery resources by
maintaining and improving water quality.
Promote' development of and maintain existing artificial reefs to improve marine
resources habitat and expand nearshore fishing opportunities.
86 Long Island Sound Coastal Policies
11.3 Maintain and strengthen a stable commercial fishing fleet in Long Island Sound.
Protect and strengthen commercial fishing harvest operations, facilities, and waterfront
infrastructure to support a stable commercial fishing industry.
Improve existing and support expansion of fishing operations and facilities for offshore
commercial fishing in Huntington Harbor, Northport Harbor, Port Jefferson Harbor, and
Mattituck Inlet. Maintain existing commercial fishing operations and facilities in
Oyster Bay, Setauket, and Mount Sinai at present levels.
Support nearshore harvesting throughout the Sound region by providing access,
berthing, and off-loading facilities suitable for nearshore operators.
Protect commercial fishing from interference or displacement by competing land and
water uses.
Strengthen the economic viability of the Sound's commercial fishing fleet through
appropriate domestic and international marketing.
11.4 Promote recreational use of marine resources.
Provide oppommities for recreational use of marine resources.
Provide adequate infrastructure to meet recreational needs, including appropriate fishing
piers, dockage, parking, and livery services.
Promote commercial charter and party boat businesses in maritime centers.
11.5 Promote managed harvest of shellfish originating from uncertified waters.
Allow for harvest of shellfish from uncertified waters, provided shellfish sanitation
protocols are adhered to for protection of public health.
Limit environmental disturbance of the harvest area by using the scale or method of
shellfish harvesting operations that is most appropriate to the resource and the physical
characteristics of the harvest area. Allow sufficient shellfish spawning stock to remain
in the harvest area to maintain the resource while reducing the likelihood of illegal
harvesting.
Promote hand-harvesting of stock for depuration and for relays by nearshore harvesters.
11.6 Promote aquaculture.
Encourage aquaculture of economically important species.
Protect native stocks from potential adverse biological impacts due to aquaculture.
Provide leases of state-owned underwater lands for aquaculture only in areas which are
not significant shellfish producing areas or which are not supporting significant
shellfish hand-harvesting, and only where aquaculture operations would not
significantly impair natural resources or water quality.
Policy 12 Protect agricultural lands in the eastern Suffolk County portion of Long
Island Sound's coastal area.
The intent of this policy is to conserve and protect agricultural land in the Suffolk County
portion of the Sound's coastal area by preventing the conversion of farmland to other uses and
protecting existing and potential agricultural production. Suffolk's agricultural acreage has
been sharply reduced over a relatively short period of time. Over the past half century there
has been a 72 percent reduction in agricultural acreage (119,016 acres in 1940 to 34,000 acres
in 1992). This loss has occurred primarily due to residential development which has rapidly
transformed Suffolk's landscape from one dominated by agrarian uses and activities to one
dominated by single family residences. Protecting the remaining agricultural land in Suffolk
Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies 87
County is necessary to ensure preservation of Suffolk's agricultural economy, 300-year
farming heritage, open space, and scenic quality.
Suffolk County's agricultural land is among the most productive in the state. Protecting these
agricultural lands is critical for four major reasons:
Suffolk County soils are the richest and most productive soils in the state. If these
agricultural lands are not further protected, development, particularly residential, is
expected to continue to encroach upon agricultural lands impairing the viability of
agriculture to an irreversible level.
· The county's agricultural products are diverse and unmatched by any other of the state's
regions. The insulating coastal climate, extended growing season, fertile soils, and
moderately sloping topography, provide ideal growing conditions for tree and shrub
nurseries, flu. its, vegetables, and potatoes, as well as the emerging agricultural uses of
sod farms, vineyards, and horse farms.
Suffolk's agricultural economy is highly productive, leading all other counties in the
state in wholesale value of agricultural products sold, and is a major part of region's
economy.
· Suffolk County's agriculture also provides scenic and open space values that contribute
to and defme much of the special regional character and sense of place that attracts
visitors to eastern Long Island. These scenic and open space qualities of agricultural
lands provide relief from the congestion and dense development that characterize much
of Long Island and the Sound coast.
12.1 Protect existing agriculture and agricultural lauds from conversion to other land
USES.
Protect existing agricultural use and production from adverse impacts due to: public
infrastructure and facility development; creation of other conditions which are likely to
lead to conversion of agricultural lands; and environmental changes which are likely to
reduce agricultural productivity or quality, including, but not limited to, quantitative and
qualitative changes to groundwater resources.
Provide sufficient buffer as part of new development when it is located near agricultural
land.
12.2 Establish and maintain favorable conditions which support existing or promote
new coastal agricultural production.
Promote new and maintain existing local services and commercial enterprises necessary
to support agricultural operations.
Provide economic support of existing agriculture by allowing mixed uses which would
assist in retention of the agricultural use.
Promote activities and market conditions that would likely prevent conversion of
farmlands to other land uses.
12.3 Minimize adverse impacts on agriculture from unavoidable conversion of
agricultural land.
Minimize encroachment of commercial, industrial, institutional, or residential
development on agricultural lands.
Retain or incorporate opportunities for continuing agricultural use.
Locate ~nd arrange development to maximize protection of the highest quality
agricultural land in large contiguous tracts for efficient farming.
88 Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies
12.4 Preserve scenic and open space values associated with the Sound's agricultural
lands.
Locate and arrange development to maximize protection of agricultural land in large
contiguous tracts to protect associated scenic and open space values.
Allow farms to operate using appropriate modern techniques and structures without
consideration of scenic values.
Policy 13 Promote appropriate use and development of energy and mineral resources.
Major power generating facilities located in the Long Island Sound coastal area that provide
power to thc region include: the Glenwood Power Station adjacent to Hempstead Harbor,
which uses oil-powered steam turbines; the Northport Power Station adjacent to Northport
Bay, which uses oil-powered steam turbines; the Port Jefferson Power Station adjacent to Port
Jefferson Harbor, which uses oil-powered steam turbines; and the Shoreham facility, which
includes gas turbines and is the site of the former nuclear facility. Such facilities are
necessary uses which, because they receive fuel oil by water, involve some risk to the coastal
environment.
Electric power on Long Island has been the highest priced in the continental United States.
However, with state leadership and the creation of the Long Island Power Authority to
assume control of electric energy production from LILCO, a 20 percent reduction in the cost
of energy to Long Islanders is at hand. There are still challenges that face the Sound region,
however. One is dependence on imported oil for electric generation and home heating.
Natural gas is unobtainable in a large portion of the region. Strong reliance on motor vehicle
transportation has also resulted in an overdependence on imported gasoline.
In dealing with the Sound's energy problems, the fa:st order of preference is the conservation
of energy. Energy efficiency in transportation and site design, and efficiency in energy
generation are the best means for reducing energy demands. Reduced demand for energy
reduces the need for construction of new facilities that may have adverse impacts on coastal
resources.
For similar reasons, greater use should be made of sustainable energy resources, such as solar,
wind, and hydroelectric power. While solar and wind power may make marginal
contributions to the Sound's energy needs, the most substantial source of sustainable energy
potentially available to the Sound is hydroelectricity. Although the Sound offers few
opportunities for the development of local hydroelectric generation facilities, the extension
of power transmission lines to the Sound for importation of electricity is possible to help meet
the region's energy needs.
In addition to the impacts of construction of new energy generating facilities, the potential
impacts ofoil and gas extraction and storage and mineral extraction must be considered. In
particular are the potential adverse impacts of mining activities on aquifers, which are the
source of drinking water for Long Island.
13.1 Conserve energy resources.
Promote and maintain energy efficient modes of transportation, including rail freight
and intermodal facilities, waterborne cargo and passenger transportation, mass transit,
and alternative forms of transportation.
Plan and construct sites using energy efficient design.
Capture heat waste from industrial processes for heating and electric generation.
Improve energy generating efficiency through design upgrades of existing facilities.
Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies 89
13.2 Promote alternative energy sources that are self-sustaining, including solar and
wind powered energy generation.
In siting such facilities, avoid interference with coastal resources, including migratory
birds, and coastal processes.
13.3 Ensure maximum efficiency and minimum adverse environmental impact when
siting major energy generating facilities.
Site major energy generating facilities in a coastal location where a clear public benefit
is established.
Site major energy generating facilities close to load centers to achieve maximum
transmission efficiency.
Site and construct new energy generating and transmission facilities so they do not
adversely affect natural and economic coastal resources.
13.4 Minimize adverse impacts from fuel storage facilities.
Regional petroleum reserve facilities are inappropriate in the Long Island Sound coastal
area.
The production, storage, or retention of petroleum products in earthen reservoirs is
prohibited.
Liquified Natural Gas facilities must be safely sited and operated.
Protect natural resources by preparing and complying with an approved oil spill
contingency plan.
13.5 Minimize adverse impacts associated with mineral extraction.
Commercial sand and aggregate mining is generally presumed to be an inappropriate
use in the Long Island Sound coastal area.
Preserve topsoil and overburden using appropriate site preparation techniques and
subsequent site reclamation plans.
DEFINITIONS
Selected terms used in the policies are defined as follows:
Accretion means the gradual and imperceptible accumulation of sand, gravel, or similar
material deposited by natural action of water on the shore. This may result from a deposit of
such material upon the shore, or by a recession of the water from the shore.
.4gricultural land means land used for agricultural production, or used as part of a farm, or
having the potential to be used for agricultural production. Agricultural lands include lands
in agricultural districts, as created under Article 25-AA of the Agricultural and Markets Law;
lands comprised of soils classified in soil groups 1, 2, 3, or 4 according to the New York State
Department of Agriculture and Markets Land Classification System; or lands used in
agricultural production, as defined in Article 25-AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
Aquaculture means the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans,
and aquatic plants. Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to
enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc.
Fanning also implies ownership of the stock being cultured.
Best managementpractices means methods, measures, or practices determined to be the most
practical and effective in preventing or reducing the amount of pollutants generated by
nonpoint sources to a level compatible with water quality standards established pursuant to
90 Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies
section 17-0301 of the Environmental Conservation Law. Best management practices
include, but are not limited to, structural and non-structural controls, and operation and
maintenance procedures. Best management practices can be applied before, during, or after
pollution-producing activities to reduce or eliminate the introduction of pollutants into
receiving waters.
Boating facility means a business or accessory use that provides docking for boats and
encompasses 4,000 square feet or greater of surface waters, as measured by the outermost
perimeter of the dock, and is designed to accommodate six (6) or more boats.
Coastal Barrier Resource Area means any one of the designated and mapped areas under the
Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982, (P.L. 97-348), and any areas designated and mapped
under the Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-591), as administered by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and any future designations that may occur through
amendments to these laws.
Coastal Hazard Area means any coastal area included within an Erosion Hazard Area
designated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation pursuant to
the Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas Act of 1981 (Article 34 of the Environmental Conservation
Law), and any coastal area included within a V-zone as designated on Flood Insurance Rate
Maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency pursuant to the National
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-448) and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973
(P.L. 93-234).
Development, other than existing development, means any construction or other activity
which materially changes the use, intensity of use, or appearance of land or a structure
including any activity which may have a direct and significant impact on coastal waters.
Development shall not include ordinary repairs or maintenance or interior alterations to
.existing structures or traditional agricultural practices. The term shall include division of land
mto lots, parcels, or sites.
Historic maritime communities means historic centers of maritime activity identified in
Chapter 587, Laws of 1994, for the purpose of fostering the protection and beneficial
enjoyment of the historic and cultural resources associated with maritime activity on Long
Island Sound.
Historic resources means those structures, landscapes, districts, areas or sites, or underwater
structures or artifacts which are listed or designated as follows: any historic resource in a
federal or state park established, solely or in part, in order to protect and preserve the
resource; any resource on, nominated to be on, or determined eligible to be on the National
or State Register of Historic Places; any cultural resource managed by the state Nature and
Historic Preserve Trust or the state Natural Heritage Trust; any archaeological resource which
is on the inventories of archaeological sites maintained by the Department of Education or the
Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; any resource which is a significant
component of a Heritage Area; any locally designated historic or archaeological resources
protected by a local law or ordinance.
Long Island Sound means all tidal waters within the Long Island Sound. coastal area.
Long Island Sound coastal area means that portion of the New York State coastal area
beginning at the Connecticut-New York State border and extending south to the intersection
of the state coastal area boundary with the Bruckner Expressway, resuming the state coastal
boundary south to its intersection with the Throgs Neck Expressway, then following the
Throgs Neck Expressway to the Throgs Neck Bridge, following the Throgs Neck Bridge and
the Clearview Expressway to the intersection with the state coastal boundary at the Cross
Island Parkway, then following the state coastal boundary east to its intersection with the
topographic divide in the eastern portion of the Town of Southold, following the topographic
Long lsland Sound Coastal Policies 91
divide to Orient Point, extending seaward to the New York boundary and including Plum
Island and Fishers Island.
Maritime center means a discrete portion or area of a harbor or bay that is developed with,
and contains concentrations of water-dependent commercial and industrial uses or essential
support facilities. The harbor or bay area is a center for waterborne commerce, recreation,
or other water-dependent business activity and, as such, is an important component of the
regional transportation system. A maritime center is characterized by: sheltered and suitable
hydrologic conditions; land- and water-based infrastructure, essential for the operation of
water-dependent commercial and industrial uses, extant or easily provided; physical
conditions necessary to meet the siting and operational requirements of water-dependent uses;
close proximity to central business districts; and limited high value natural resources.
The following are Long Island Sound maritime centers:
· Port Chester (Byram River-
Port Chester Harbor)
· Mamaroneck Harbor
· Echo Bay-New Rochelle Harbor
· City Island-East Shore Bronx
· Port Washington-Manorhaven
(Manhasset Bay)
· Glen Cove Creek
Huntington Harbor
Northport Harbor
· Port Jefferson Harbor
· Mattituck Inlet
Maritime support services means industrial, commercial, or retail uses which provide
necessary goods and services to water-dependent businesses, thus enabling these businesses
to operate in an efficient and economically viable manner.
Native or indigenous stock means fish, shellfish, and crustaceans originating in and being
produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in the coastal waters of Long Island Sound.
Natural ecological community means a variable assemblage of interacting plant and animal
populations that share a common environment.
Naturalprotectivefeatures means a nearshore area, beach, bluff, primary dune, secondary
dune, or wetland, and the vegetation thereon.
Regionally important natural area means a defined geographic area within the Long Island
Sound coastal boundary generally composed of a variety of smaller, natural ecological
communities that together form a landscape of environmental, social, and economic value to
the people of New York. To be identified as a regionally important natural area, an area must
contain significant natural resources which are at risk and require additional management to
protect or restore resource values. Thirteen regionally important natural areas have been
initially identified for the Long Island Sound coastal area: Crab Meadow-Fresh Pond, Eastern
Islands, Fishers Island, Little Neck Bay, Lloyd Neck-Eatons Neck, Mount Sinai Harbor,
Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor, Pelham Bay Park-Westchester Islands, Riverhead Bluffs,
Stony Brook-Setauket, Sunken Meadow-Nissequogue River, Wading River, and Wildwood-
Baiting Hollow.
Public trust lands means those lands below navigable waters, with the upper boundary
normally being the mean high water line, or otherwise determined by local custom and
practice. Public trust lands, waters, and living resources are held in trust by the state or by
the trustees of individual towns for the people to use for walking, fishing, commerce,
navigation, and other recognized uses of public tnast lands.
Rare ecological communities means ecological communities which, according to the state
Natural Heritage Program, qualify for a Heritage State Rank of S1 or S2; and those which
92 Long Island Sound Coastal Policies
qualify for both a Heritage State Rank of S3, S4 or S5; and an Element Occurrence Rank of
A.
Traditional waterfront communities means communities which historically have contained
concentrations of water-dependent businesses; possess a distinctive character; and serve as
a focal points for commercial, recreational, and cultural activities within the region. On Long
Island Sound, these communities are: Village of Port Chester, Village of Mamaroneck, City
of New Rochelle, City Island, Village of Manorhaven-Port Washington, City of Glen Cove,
Village of Roslyn, Village of Sea Cliff, Village of Bayville, Village of Northport, Stony
Brook, Setauket, Village of Port Jefferson, Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington
Harbor, and Mattituck Inlet.
Vulnerable fish and wildlife species means those listed in 6 NYCRR Part 182.5 as
Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Special Concern Species.
Vulnerable plant species means those listed in 6 NYCRR Part 193.3 as Endangered Species,
Threatened Species, Exploitably Vulnerable Species, and Rare Species.
Water-dependent use means a business or other activity which can only be conducted in, on,
over, or adjacent to a water body because such activity requires direct access to that water
body, and which involves, as an integral part of such activity, the use of the water.
Water-enhanced use means a use or activity which does not require a location adjacent to
coastal waters, but whose location on the waterfront adds to the public use and enjoyment of
the water's edge. Water-enhanced uses are primarily recreational, cultural, retail, or
entertainment uses.
Waterfront Redevelopment Area means a waterfront area which is part of or near a business
district and contains blighted or underutilized properties which are adequate in size to
accommodate significant redevelopment of regional or statewide benefit. The following
factors shall be considered in identification of waterfront redevelopment areas: (1) evidence
of community commitment and initiative; (2) participation in the Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program; (3) adequacy of local land and water use regulations; (4) adequacy
of infrastructure; (4) opportunities for local and regional economic growth; and (5)
opportunities for improved public access, environmental quality, and creation of local activity
centers. Long Island Sound's waterfi-ont redevelopment areas include portions of: the Village
of Port Chester, the City of New Rochelle, the Village of Manorhaven, the City of Glen Cove,
the Town of Smithtown, and the Village of Port Jefferson.
Long lslandSound Coastal Policies 93
Chapter 5
SPECIAL COASTAL AREAS
Along Long Island Sound's coast, there are harbors where new or expanded marinas and boat
yards, passenger ferries, water-dependent industry, commercial fishing, and water-based
recreation can thrive. Hotels, new retail, waterfront access, and restaurants can reclaim
brownfields and enliven urban waterfronts for residents and tourists. Restoring coastal
habitat, expanding wetlands, protecting open space, and sustaining native plant and animal
populations can strengthen ecological vitality throughout the Sound, but especially in those
areas where significant natural resources are most sensitive to development. These special
coastal areas are the Sound's maritime centers, waterfront redevelopment areas, and regionally
important natural areas.
Maritime centers focus on the needs of the working coast. Through careful evaluation of the
physical, infrastructure, and economic factors of each maritime center, priorities for state
actions can be set to ensure the effective and efficient operation of water-dependent
commercial and industrial uses. Infrastructure investments in maritime centers, combined
with various incentives and regulatory streamlining, will encourage the development of new
working coast uses within, rather than outside, maritime centers. The dispersed development
of new working coast uses outside maritime centers would likely have more significant
adverse impacts on the environment and established residential communities than will the
concentration of working coast uses in maritime centers.
Redevelopment areas present opportunities to set priorities for public and private development
projects to restore and revitalize waterfronts or areas near the waterfront that have been
previously developed and are now underutilized or in a deteriorated condition. Establishing
investment priorities based on a redevelopment strategy tailored for the community will
encourage the consolidation of major new growth in existing centers to minimize urban
sprawl, protect unspoiled areas, provide new public amenities, and improve the environmental
quality of the redeveloped area.
Within regionally important natural areas, priorities can be set for state agency efforts to
protect, enhance, and restore areas that contain significant coastal resources that are most
sensitive to development.
This chapter describes the three types of special coastal areas and the characteristics these
areas possess. The waterfront redevelopment areas and the regionally important natural areas
that are discussed in this section are not meant to constitute a comprehensive list. Additional
areas are likely to be identified by local governments, citizens, and state agencies.
In cooperation with local governments, management plans will be prepared for these areas.
When the plans are complete, the area will be formally identified as part of the Long Island
Sound Coastal Management Program.
Special Management,~reas 95
MARITIME CENTERS
There are approximately 200 working coast uses located along the Long Island Sound
shoreline. Nearly two-thirds of these uses and activities are clustered in sheltered bays and
harbors that have historically been developed with water-dependent commercial and industrial
uses. These sheltered bays and harbors, or maritime centers, are essential for waterborne
commerce, recreation, and the state's transportation system.
Major challenges facing all water-dependent uses to varying degrees include: competition for
space on the waterfront and the water, inadequate or deteriorated coastal infrastructure,
impacts of regulation and taxation, degradation of coastal resources, lack of public awareness
of working coast uses and businesses, and changing markets and business climate. The
designation of maritime centers is a means to address these problems. The locations of these
centers of maritime activity are shown on map 4.0.
It is critical to maintain and strengthen the working coast as a vital part of the economic health
of the region. The economic contribution of the working coast could be improved, if the
problems encountered by water-dependent businesses that significantly impair their ability to
function were better understood and addressed by state and local agencies.
IDENTIFYING MARITIME CENTERS
Maritime centers are identified to enable better protection of existing water-dependent uses,
to foster the development of new water-dependent uses in appropriate locations where growth
oppommifies exist, to protect and ensure the wise use of underutilized commercial waterfront
land that is suitable for water-dependent uses, and to ensure the efficient and effective
operation of water-dependent uses. Water-dependent uses have unique siting requirements;
thus, it is important to protect suitable developed and underutilized waterfront commercial
property, which are limited in number in the Sound region.
A maritime center is defined as:
a discrete portion or area of a harbor or bay that is developed with, and contains
concentrations of, water-dependent commercial and industrial uses or essential
support facilities. The harbor or bay area is a center for waterborne commerce,
recreation, or other water-dependent business activity, making it an important
component of the regional transportation system.
The following characteristics are used to identify maritime centers:
· concentration of large and intensive water-dependent commercial or industrial uses
sheltered locations and suitable hydrologic conditions, such as sufficient water depth and
good flushing
adequate existing navigation channels, anchorage and mining basins, piers and docks,
and land-based infrastructure essential for the operation of water-dependent commercial
and industrial uses; if needed, new infrastructure could be provided more easily and at
lower cost
· physical conditions meet the unique siting and operational requirements of most water-
dependent commercial and industrial uses to ensure the efficient and effective operation
of water-dependent uses
· close proximity to central business districts where commercial uses can be located that
complement or support water-dependent uses, but which are inappropriate for a
waterfront location
96 Special Management .4reas
MAP 4.0
MARITIME CENTERS
1
~2
~3
New
York
C~ty
10
0 10
Scale: 1" = 10 miles
8
20 Miles
CONNECTICUT
Long island sound
lO
Suffolk
Atlantic Ocean
KEY
,~, Maritime Centers
1 Port Chester
2 Mamaroneck Harbor
3 NewRochelle/Echo Bay
4 C~ Island
5 Port Washington
6 Glen Cove
7 Huntfngton Harbor
8 Northport Harbor
9 Port Jefferson
10 Mattituck Inlet
Map prepared by NYSDO$ DMsion of Coastal Resources, GIS Unit, May 1998
lack of conflict with high value natural resources, such as beaches, dunes, or bluffs;
wetlands; shellfish beds, bird habitat or other fish and wildlife habitat; or exceptional
surface water quality.
LONG ISL.4ND SOUND ~S MARITIME CENTERS
There are ten maritime centers along the Sound coast. These arc: Pon Chester Harbor,
Mamaroneck Harbor, New Rochelle Harbor-Echo Bay, City Island-East Bronx Shore,
Manorhaven-Port Washington, Glen Cove Creek, Huntington Harbor, Port Jefferson Harbor,
Northport Harbor, and Mattituck Inlet. These areas are the most suitable and appropriate
locations on thc Sound coast for expansion of existing, or the development of new, water-
dependent commercial and industrial uses.
Summary descriptions, which include management objectives and a description of project and
procedural actions to achieve the objectives, for the maritime centers of Mamaroneck Harbor,
Huntington Harbor, Port Jefferson, and Mattituck Inlet are provided in volume 2 of the Long
Island Sound Coastal Management Program. These descriptions have been prepared based
on consultations with local officials. Abbreviated descriptions are provided for six other
maritime centers.
WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT.4REAS
Continued economic growth in areas that can best accommodate growth is central to the
vitality of the Long Island Sound region. Along the Sound coast, there are areas where the
state, working with local governments, can spur redevelopment.
Recognizing these areas offers the following benefits:
· Redevelopment provides opportunities to revitalize degraded areas and to restore
environmental and visual integrity to a disturbed area.
· Existing infrasamcture can be used more efficiently and provided at a lower cost than
entirely new services at other locations.
Redeveloping areas present opportunities to reestablish the public's connection to the
waterfront by integrating public access into redevelopment projects.
· Redeveloping areas provide opportunities to introduce new uses that meet community
and regional needs.
Development sprawl along the waterfront is disenuragcd since development can be
channeled into and accommodated on already disturbed locations rather than in
environmentally sensitive areas.
IDENTIFYING ~'.4TERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT.,4RE.4S
Areas that offer potential for redevelopment on the Long Island Sound shore are generally
part of or near a business district and contain blighted or underutilized properties which are
adequate in size to accommodate significant redevelopment. In their geographic scope,
waterfxon, t redevelopment areas are generally a discrete portion of a community, not the entire
The characteristics of waterfront redevelopment areas include: (1) urban waterfronts; (2)
locations where redevelopment serves as a catalyst for the reclamation of a blighted or
underutilized area or improves a deteriorated condition; (3) areas where infrastructure and
98 Special Managernent Areas
MAP 5.0
WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT AREAS
CONNECTICUT
Long island sound
New
York
C~ty
2
3
Nassa;
6
Suffolk
Atlantic Ocean
KEY
Water[font Redevelopment Areas
1 Port Chester
2 New Rochelle
3 Manorhaven
4 Glen Cove
5 S mithtown
6 Port Jefferson
10
0 10
$~ale: 1~ = 10 miles
20 Miles
Map prepared by NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources, GIS Unit, May 1998
transportation facilities exist; (4) brownfields; and (5) locations where redevelopment can
advance the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program by improving public access,
retaining and expanding water-dependent uses, facilitating new economic activities
appropriate to the region, and improving the environmental quality of the area.
Within these areas, redevelopment actions should result in a majority of the following: a
restored and revitalized waterfront or adjacent inland area; a strengthened local and regional
economy through the development of commercial, industrial, and residential uses; improved
waterfront recreation opportunities, public access, or dotkage; improved views to the
waterfront; restored and preserved historic sites; improved environmental quality; enhanced
community character and sense of place; and enhanced visiting pleasure.
The conditions which characterize a waterfront redevelopment area are:
Condition 1: Community Initiative and Commitment
The community demonstrates initiative and commitment to undertake and follow through
on major redevelopment projects to improve the area. The local government demonstrates
an interest in, and commitment to, significantly improving the community's waterfront or
business district through an expression of one or more of the following: citizen support and
consensus; plans which demonstrate sound economic development and land/water use
objectives; or preparation of preliminary waterfront inventories and design plans.
Condition 2: Local Planning
The community has an approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program or is actively
preparing a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. A Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program provides the local comprehensive land use planning context for redevelopment.
Condition 3: Adequate Land and Water Use Controls
The community has, or will have in place, adequate land and water use controls to manage
the use, density, and location of development. These controls are necessary to ensure that the
size, scale, and intensity of uses generated by redevelopment are appropriate and compatible
with the landside and waterside character of the community.
Condition 4: Land and Water Use Optimization
New development will make optimal use of the area's land and water resources which
include the built and natural environments, land and water uses, community character, and
infrastructure, with particular attention to providing water-dependent and water-enhanced
nses.
Condition 5: Infrastructure
Infrastructure and transportation systems exist which are adequate to service the proposed
redevelopment. If the existing systems are inadequate, they can be repaired or upgraded to
satisfactorily service the intended redevelopment.
Condition 6: Economic Growth
Opportunities exist to stabilize or improve the local and regional econr~my through
redevelopment projects. The area can accommodate a significant increment in growth and
development. Redevelopment opportunities exist to achieve economic growth and diversity
on the local and regional level through the development of a range of appropriate uses.
Condition 7: Opportunities to Restore and Redevelop
Sufficient development demand exists which can be channeled to areas for redevelopment.
These development pressures can be used as opportunities to restore and redevelop
significant blighted or underutilized areas, buildings, land, waterfronts, or neighborhoods, and
to remediate environmental problems through appropriate redevelopment.
100 SpecialManagement~reas
Condition 8: Public Access
Public access can bc improved by enhancing existing public access or by establishing new
public access. Opportunities exist to establish: public opon spaces on thc waterfront which
allow a wide range of recreational uses, waterfront recreation facilities and features to attract
people to the waterfront, or an access circulation system that links waterfront areas and the
business district to thc watcrfi.ont.
Condition 9: Community Needs
Thc area to bc redev¢lopod will serve community needs as an activity center for a range of
cultural, living, employment, recreational, and educational opportunities. The redeveloped
waterfront can be established or improved as a place for people to gather, socialize, recreate,
or work. Redevelopment will result in the addition of new public or semi-public facilities or
improvements to existing facilities.
Condition 10: Regional Significance
The area can accommodate a significant level of new development and is, or has the potential
to be, a waterfront area of regional or statewide significance. Redevelopment in the area will
make major contributions to the region for retention or expansion of water-dependent uses or
expansion of economic activities appropriate to the region.
Condition 11: Environmental Improvement
Redevelopment will result in environmental improvement by remediating brownfields,
improving stormwater management, and improving visual quality.
LONG ISL4ND SOUND'S V~ATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT AREAS
In the Long Island Sound coastal area, there are at least six areas having the above
characteristics--they have brown.fields and/or sufficient underused, previously built sites
available which, ifredevcloped, would have a regional economic impact. These areas, shown
on map $.0, include portions of: the villages of Port Chester, Port Jefferson, and Manorhaven,
the Town of Smithtown, and the cities of New Rochelle and Glen Cove. Other smaller
communities, such as the Village of Roslyn waterfront, may also have these characteristics.
REGIONALLY IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS
While there are many beautiful natural areas along the Sound shore, some natural landscapes
are of greater than local significance because they host outstanding arrays or significant
examples of uatural elements or ecological communities. In many cases, the natural resources
of these areas have attracted human use from prehistoric times.
Natural coastal landscapes and thc plants and animals that they support enrich the quality of
life enjoyed by residents and visitors to the Sound, but ensuring that these resources can thrive
or even be sustained in areas that are under increasing pressure from development is difficult.
Protection programs, whether for natural areas or for built resources, such as historic
structures, generally focus on thc specific resource and do not always incorporate the broader
area that adjoins and influences the viability of the resources.
Ecological communities cannot be viewed in isolation fi.om one another. They are part of, and
interact with, larger landscapes and ecological systems that contain a myriad of elements.
Because these elements interact and are interdependent, their management must be addressed
in an integrated, holistic manner. The process of identifying regionally important natural areas
should be followed in order to define primary areas of concern within which management
efforts can be concentrated to protect and enhance the individual resources and larger natural
landscapes of Long Island Sound.
Special Managernent Areas 101'
MAP 6.0
REGIONALLY IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS
New
York
i City
CONNECTICUT ~NO~
3
6
8
Long island Sound
11
10 0 10 20 Miles
Scale: 1"= 10 miles
Suffolk
Atlantic Ocean
KEY
~I, Regionally important natural areas
1. Pelham Bay Park- Westchester Islands
2. Little Neck Bay
3. Oyster Bay- Cold Spring Harbor*
4. Lloyd Neck - Eatons Neck
5. Crab Meadow- Fresh Pond*
6. Sunken Meadow- Nissequogue River
7. Stony Brook - Setauket*
8. Mount Sinai
9. Wading River
10. Wildwood - Baiting Hollow
11. Riverbead Bluffs
12. Eastern Islands
13. Fishers Island
* Management Plans underway
Map prepared by NYSDOS Division of Coastal Resources, GIS Unit, May 1998
IDENTIFYING REGIONALLY IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS
Regionally important natural areas are defined geographic areas within the Long Island Sound
coastal boundary and generally are composed of a variety of smaller, natural ecological
communities that together form a landscape of environmental, social, and economic value to
the people of New York. A regionally important natural area would meet the following three
conditions:
Condition 1: The area contains significant natural resources.
The natural resources of the area are significant to the coastal region if they contain
assemblages or outstanding examples of natural ecological communities; fish or wildlife
habitat; endangered, threatened, or rare plants or plant communities; or coastal geologic
features. Significance is further determined by analysis of the cultural value or the historic or
present-day human use made of the natural resources, which may enhance the standing of a
potential regionally important natural area. Although people may live in an area to be
considered as a regionally important natural area, it must have a preponderance of significant
natural resources to satisfy this condition.
Condition 2: The resources are at risk.
Areas determined to contain significant resources are evaluated next with regard to whether
the resources are at risk. Risk is determined by the degree to which a potential regionally
important natural area's natural and related cultural resources have been subject to, or are
likely to be subject to, primary, secondary, and cumulative negative impacts associated with
existing and new development or people's activities. Such impacts place ecosystem viability
and, consequently, people's quality of life, at risk.
Condition 3: Additional management measures are needed to preserve or improve the
significant resources, or sustain their use.
Finally, an area with significant resources that are found to be at risk must require additional
management measures beyond those currently available to maintain or improve those
resources and the viability of the ecological complex within which they function.
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program for regionally
important natural areas are listed below. The objectives are related to one another, because
the resources, as well as their impairments, are related. The achievement of a given objective
may depend on the achievement of another. An overall strategy must be developed for each
regionally important natural area that shows recognition of these relationships. Prevent fragmentation of natural ecological communities.
Curtail nutrient and contaminant loads to Long Island Sound and its tributaries.
Manage development in the watersheds to result in cleaner surface waters, protection of
estuarine life, maintenance of commercial shellfishing, and restoration of shellfish
harvesting where natural ecosystem processes may permit.
Maintain the benefits of natural shoreline functions.
Protect and restore freshwater and tidal wetlands and their natural functions.
· Protect and, where appropriate, expand populations of New York Natural Heritage
elements (endangered, threatened, and rare species and rare natural communities).
· Maintain sustainable populations offish, shellfish, and wildlife species that depend on
thc area's resources for critical stages in their life cycles.
SpecialManagementAreas 103
Protect, and where possible, expand native plant communities.
Ensure that recreational activities will be compatible with the protection of ecological
communities; endangered, threatened, and rare species; species of special concern;
economically important species; and other intrinsic ecosystem elements.
Prevent impairments to coastal access and develop new access opportunities that are
compatible with protection of natural resources.
Involve the public in the process of protecting the resources of the regionally important
natural area.
Preserve the historic and cultural resource of the area with special consideration to
sustainable resource-based economic activities.
LONG ISLAND SOUND tS REGIONALL Y IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS
There are at least thirteen areas along the Sound coast that can be characterized as regionally
important natural areas. They are shown on map 6.0. Management plans are underway or
have been completed for Crab Meadow-Fresh Pond, Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor, and
Stony Brook-Setauket. These plans outline protection and restoration strategies and can be
used to set priorities for action.
104 SpecialManagementAreas
Chapter 6
AD VANCING the SOUND COASTAL PROGRAM
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program is a blueprint for state and local action
to achieve a common vision for the Sound...
to enhance community character, reclaim the quality of natural resources,
reinvigorate the working waterfront, and connect people to the Sound
This chapter presents an outline of activities focused on special areas, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs, and other actions, currently underway that are designed to advance
the recommendations of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program. It also
indicates those recommendations that remain for future implementation as funding and staff
resources are available.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program is designed to be a living document that
will evolve over time so it continues to meet the needs and expectations of the state and the
people in the region. Duc to the comprehensive nature of the program no one level of
government or agency is responsible for implementing all of its recommendations.
Implementing the vision for the Sound contained in this program requires approaches built on
cooperation and partnerships between the state and local governments in the region and
between government and thc public.
Long Island Sound CoastalAdvisory Commission. The legislature amended Article 42 of the
Executive Law to create the Long Island Sound Coastal Advisory Commission. (Refer to the
Appendix) The commission is composed of representatives of local governments,
environmental and business groups, and the commissioners of the deparhnents of
Environmental Conservation, the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and
Empire State Development. The commission advises the secretary of state on implementation
of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program.
Govemor Pataki recognized the critical role a body such as the Long Island Sound Advisory
Commission can play in fostering a public-private partnership that is key to the successful
implementation of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program. The Governor has
directed the Long Island Sound Coastal Advisory Commission to serve as a forum to seek
public and private actions to implement the recommendations of the Long Island Sound
Coastal Management Program as follows:
· To reclaim the quality of natural resources, focus on implementing the plans being
prepared for regionally important natural areas, including Oyster Bay-Cold Spring
Harbor, Stony Brook-Setauket, and Crab Meadow; and on implementing watershed plans
being prepared for the Sound's harbors and embayments.
· To reinvigorate working waterfronts, identify how the regulatory process in maritime
centers can be simplified and how necessary infrastxucture improvements can be
achieved.
· To connect people to the Sound, seek commi~nents to expand public access to and
recreational use of the Sound.
~dvancing the Sound~genda 105
· To enhance community character, assist state and local governments to redevelop the
areas identified as suitable for development.
Local Government& Local governments are critical players in the successful implementation
of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program. The Department of State, the Long
Island Sound Coastal Advisory Commission, and state agencies should solicit local
government involvement in advancing the program. Further, local governments should be
encouraged and assisted to complete Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs.
ACTIONS UNDERWAY
LONG ISLAND SOUND fS SPECIAL AREAS
The Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program identifies three types of special areas
that are the foundation of a strategy to address regional resource protection and economic
development needs. At one end of the development continuum are regionally important
natural areas where natural resource values prevail and where development, if it occurs, is
compatible with natural resource protection. At the other end of the continuum are
redevelopment areas and maritime centers--those areas of the Sound shoreline where more
intensive land and water development is appropriate.
Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor Regionally Important Natural ~lrea. The Department of
State, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Conservation; the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service; Nassau and Suffolk counties; the towns of Oyster Bay and Huntington; the
villages surrounding the harbor complex; and civic, business, and environmental groups, has
prepared a management plan for the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor regionally important
natural area. The plan presents specific actions and projects to protect and restore the natural
and cultural resources in the area. The work is being complemented with a Title 11, Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant to the Town of
Oyster Bay for a harbor management plan and a water quality improvement program. The
town also received a $25,000 grant from Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Environmental Protection Fund to prepare a mitigation study for the Mill Pond overflow.
There are two underused, yet key sites on the Oyster Bay waterfront that have been the focus
of much public concern. The Western Waterfront Task Force was formed in 1997 to guide
redevelopment of these parcels, the Jakobson's Shipyard and Capone sites. This task force,
chaired by Senator Carl Marcellino, oversaw the Oyster Bay Western Waterfront conceptual
Land Use Plan that considered options for reuse of the site.
Governor Pataki recently announced that $2.3 million in state funds is available for
development of the Oyster Bay Western Waterfront Project. These funds will be used for
demolition and removal of abandoned shipyard facilities and for landscaping of the site. In
addition, about $660,000 in federal and state funds, through the Department of Environmental
Conservation, will be used to construct a boat ramp and other improvements to the site.
The Town of Oyster Bay received a $207,760 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grant for
stormwater remediation at Centre Island Beach. This project will construct a comprehensive
stormwater management system to reduce stormwater runoff that has resulted in seasonal
closures of shellfishing beds adjacent to Centre Island Beach Park. Based on engineering
designs funded through the Department of State Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program Environmental Protection Fund grant, the town will restore critical wetlands along
the shore to ~ter stormwater and improve habitat. A new wetland will be created on a portion
of the site.
Stony Brook-Setauket Regionally Important NaturalAre,, There are several efforts that will
serve as a foundation for preparation of the Stony Brook-Setauket regionally important natural
area management plan in the near future.
106 ,~dvancing the Sound,~genda
The Village of Head-of-the-Harbor has received from the Department of State two Title 11,
Local Waterfi'ont Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grants in 1994 and
1995 for $14,000 to complete stormwater management plans and construction drawings to
reduce nonpoint source pollution in Stony Brook Harbor. This has been completed. In 1996,
the village received from the Department of State two construction grants totaling $100,000
from Title 11, Environmental Protection Fund to implement the stormwater management plans
to improve water quality.
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act awarded $112,500 to the village to implement three
stormwater improvement projects which will complete the village's on-going program of
stormwater mitigation designed to reduce nonpoint source pollution of Stony Brook Harbor.
The Harbor Hill Road project will manage approximately 66% of the runoff from its
immediate watershed. The project involves the construction of pre-cast drainage catch basins,
retention/filtration basins and 4,700 feet of asphalt curbing on Harbor Hill Road. The finished
project will include restoration of roadside vegetation.
The second project is located along Farm Road. Farm Road intersects with Harbor Hill Road
and, due to its extreme grade, carries stormwater at high velocities onto Harbor Hill Road and
into Stony Brook Harbor. This project involves construction of subsurface leaching basins,
ffltar strips, and a dry riprap area to filter out sediments. This project will resolve all the
stormwater runoff problems now experienced on Farm Road-Harbor Hill Road.
The third project covers a portion of Saddle Road and Saddle Road Pond, the highest in
elevation of three ponds that flow into Mill Creek at the historic Stony Brook Grist Mill and
then into Stony Brook Harbor at Porpoise Channel. The existing conduit pipe is only 4 inches
in diameter and restricts pond outflow while increasing sed'nnentafion from Saddle and
Rhododendron Roads. This project would restore the scenic beauty of this natural spring fed
pond and control nonpoint runoff directly into the harbor.
The Suffolk County Department of Public Works received a $39,250 Nonpoint Source
Implementation Program grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation to control
stormwater from upland roads that now drams untreated into Stony Brook Harbor. This
project complements the other stormwater control projects in the watershed.
The Town of Brookhaven has received from the Department of State two Title 11, Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grants in 1994 and 1996
for $28,000 to complete a land use and natural resources inventory for the West Meadow
Creek watershed, a significant tributary of the regionally important natural area. The
hydrological analysis of the creek's flushing characteristics is complete. The town will use the
watershed inventory to prepare management measures to better protect and enhance the water
quality and natural resources of West Meadow Creek and its watershed.
The Town of Smithtown received a 1997 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Environmental Protection Fund grant of $72,000 to complete a hydrographic study of Stony
Brook Harbor. This grant will provide data on sediment transport and circulation dynamics
in the harbor for use in determining how channels should be managed.
A Stony Brook Harbor Task Force, comprised of the departments of State and Environmental
Conservation, the county, the towns and villages, civic associations and the Marine Sciences
Research Center initially organized to address dredging issues, is discussing development of
a Stony Brook Harbor management plan.
The harbor management plan for the Port Jefferson harbor complex will identify and address
the priority issues and conflicts as identified by communities within the bay system. Its
purpose will also be to identify the ways in which protection and restoration of the harbor's
natural resources can be achieved while providing for a range of recreation and commercial
use of the harbor. This planning effort will contribute to the future development of a joint
management plan for the Stony Brook-Setauket regionally important natural area by providing
Advancing the SoundAgenda 107
detailed information on the area and helping to establish consensus on resource management
objectives and priorities. The project, with the exception of the adoption of local laws, is
complete.
City of Glen Cove [Faterfront Redevelopment Area. The Deparhnent of State awarded the
City of Glen Cove $50,000 from the Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Environmental Protection Fund in 1995 to complete a strategy to foster redevelopment along
one mile of Glen Cove Creek. There is a significant amount of disturbed, underutilized land
in the creek corridor, including over 50 acres of hazardous waste sites, that can be redeveloped.
The redevelopment strategy, completed in 1997, includes an economic and land use analysis
for Glen Cove Creek. It identifies the most practical future uses given: the waterfront location
and existing uses; existing hazardous waste sites; and close proximity to the city's central
business district. The redevelopment strategy also includes: conceptual plans to better connect
Glen Cove Creek to the city's central business district; recommendations to improve vehicular
and pedestrian circulation and infi'astmcture; and recommendations to improve aesthetics and
environmental quality.
A significant component of the depatunent's work with Glen Cove was to clarify the status of
clean up efforts underway on over 50 acres of hazardous waste sites. A concise description
of this information was necessa~ to guide the land use plan and determine the appropriate
level of remediation given the likely future land use of a site.
To facilitate the remediation and redevelopment of the hazardous waste sites, the Department
of State was awarded $125,000 in 1995 by the federal Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management to prepare site plans for the two largest hazardous waste sites. The site plans
identify the most appropriate land uses and public access opportunities. The Department of
Environmental Conservation provided $250,000 for sediment testing which allowed the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers to begin dredging the creek.
The city has also completed a report'that contains recommendations to improve the economic
viability of existing marinas in Glen Cove Creek. The recommendations consist primarily of
actions to improve conditions either immediately or over the short tenn. The city completed
this report with a $27,500 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental
Protection Fund grant in 1995.
The city has started three additional projects to implement the Glen Cove Creek redevelopment
strategy. In 1996, the city was awarded two Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Environmental Protection Fund grants for $174,000. One grant is for the preparation of
specific design alternatives and construction drawings for the Mill Pond area to improve
vehicular and pedestrian circulation between the city's downtown and the Glen Cove Creek
waterfront and restore Mill Pond. The second grant is for a construction project for
improvements at the head of the creek and the Garvies Point boat ramp.
The city received two 1997 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act awards totaling $3,378,750. The
largest grant ($2.87 million) will be used for nitrogen removal and facility improvements at
the Glen Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant. The second grant will fund repair of a bulkheaded
section of Glen Cove Creek to reduce sedimentation of the creek. Both of these projects are
important to the revitalization of Glen Cove Creek. The city also received two additional
grants totaling $97,500 for brownfields investigation. The sites to be investigated are located
on Glen Cove Creek
Village of Port Chester Waterfront Redevelopment Aret~ Department of State will assist the
village to refine its urban renewal plan, if necessary, to serve as a redevelopment strategy. The
village has advanced a number of construction projects that have improved public access to
the waterfront, upgraded waterfront infrastructure, and enhanced the scenic quality of the
waterfront. The Department of State awarded the village a $65,000 Title 11, Environmental
Protection Fund grant in 1995 to prepare design and construction drawings for reconstruction
108 AdvancingtheSoundAgenda
of bulkheads in the village's marina on the Byram River, construction of a public waterfront
walkway~ and improved connections between the waterfront and the central business district.
Village of Manorhaven Waterfront Redevelopment Aret~ The Village of Manorhaven is
completing a draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. The village received a $25,000
Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant in
1994 from the Department of State to prepare a development strategy focusing on renovation
of a public dock and wetlands restoration. This work will be reflected in the Local Waterfi'ont
Revitalization Program. To complete the dock renovation, the village received a $100,000
construction grant from the same grant source in 1996. This project will result in increased
public use and enjoyment of the village's waterfront and historic dock.
Port Jefferson Maritime Center. The Village of Port Jefferson and Town of Brookhaven
received from the Department of State a $20,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program Environmental Protection Fund grant in 1994 to prepare a harbor management plan
for the Port Jefferson-Conscience Bay harbor complex. All five municipalities that have
frontage on the Port Jefferson-Conscience Bay Harbor complex--the Town of Brookhaven
and the villages of Port Jefferson, Belle Terre, Poquott, and Old Field--are participating in
developing the plan. The plan addresses issues that are of most concern to these five
municipalities. The harbor management plan addresses problems affecting significant
economic activity as well as problems related to protecting high value natural resources.
The harbor management plan consists of two parts. For the southern portion of Port Jefferson
Harbor, which is commercially developed with mostly water-dependent uses, the harbor
management plan addresses the need to: resolve surface water conflicts by establishing water
use zones; improve dredging coordination; streamline project reviews; and establish priorities
for infrastructure improvements. For the balance of the harbor complex---Conscience Bay,
Setauket Harbor, and Little Bay--which consists mostly of low density residential and open
space uses, the harbor management plan addresses the need to protect and enhance natural
resources by improving water quality, strategically locating areas for vessel moorings, and
ensuring appropriate shoreline development.
In response to concerns regarding deteriorating surface water quality in the harbor complex,
the Village of Port Jefferson was awarded by the Department of State a $18,000 Title 1 I, Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant in 1995. The grant's
purpose is to identify the origin of untreated stormwater that is being discharged into the
harbor from at least 18 stormwater ouffalls. In 1998, a Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grant
was made to the town to reduce stormwater pollution at the town marina.
In 1997, village residents voted to acquire the Mobil property, a key site on the waterfront. The
Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation awarded the village $500,000 to assist
with the acquisition. The village was awarded a $20,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program grant to prepare a reuse plan for the site.
Village of Mamaroneck Maritime Center. In pursuit ofthe village's objectives to increase
public access to the commercial harbor area, the village received from the Depa~hnent of State
and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Environmental Protection Fund
grants in 1996 totaling $200,000. The project will restore a significant portion of deteriorated
bulkhead located in a large waterfront park and be used as a tie-up area for transient vessels.
The village also received an Environmental Protection Fund grant (Title 11, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Programs) to study ways to improve dredging coordination and facilitate
dredging projects. This project may be used as a model to improve dredging coordination and
to facilitate dredging projects in other Long Island Sound maritime centers and appropriate
harbor areas.
,~dvancing the Sound,~genda 109
Mattituck Inlet Maritime Center (Town of Southold). The town has received from the
Department of State a $25,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Environmental Protection Fund grant in 1994 to complete a harbor management plan that has
focused on Mattituck Inlet. This work is the foundation for preparation ora maritime center
plan.
Huntington Harbor Maritime Center (Town of Huntington). Huntington Harbor is one of
10 centers of maritime activity identified along the Sound shoreline, a historic maritime area,
and one of the most congested recreational harbors. The intense level of use has created
numerous problems ranging from public safety to displacement of baymen. In response to the
need to address these problems, the town received from the Department of State a $30,000
Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant from
the 1996 round. This project will result in a management plan for Huntington Harbor that will
provide a comprehensive framework for improved use and development of the waters and
uplands of the harbor. The plan will identify projects, including immediate action projects, to
enhance public use and safety in the harbor.
CLE~4N WA TER/CLEAN~4IR BOND ACT
The Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, approved by the voters in 1996, provides over $1.75
billion to improve the quality of the state's water, air, and open space resources. The bond act
identifies specific management plans which are to be implemented through award of bond act
funds. Two hundred million dollars of the bond act has been earmarked for projects to
improve water quality in Long Island Sound. The Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive
Conservation Management Plan is the principal plan which sets priorities for reduction of
nitrogen, specifically through upgrades of wastewater treatment plants. In addition, Local
Waterfront Revitalization Programs and Department of State or Department of Environmental
Conservation special area management plans completed or underway will contain specific
projects that will achieve the nitrogen reduction and other water quality goals of thc
Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan.
Governor Pataki has announced two rounds of Title 3 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act awards
to communities on Long Island Sound, amounting to over $19.2 million. Below is a sampling
of these awards.
Town of Brookhaven. The town was awarded four Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grants
in 1997 for a variety of water quality improvement projects. These grants, totaling $265,806,
will fund Phragmites removal in Stony Brook Creek and improve stormwater management in
Stony Brook, Mount Sinai, and Port Jefferson harbors.
Town of Mamaronecla Thc town received a $34,500 grant to restore Pryer Manor Marsh, a
critical natural area draining to the Sound.
CiO: of New Rochella The City of New Rochelle received two grants amounting to $191,400.
One project is an aquatic and non-aquatic planting program to restore native vegetation. The
second is for installation of grit chambers to reduce nonpoint source pollution.
New York CIO:. New York City received three Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act grants for
habitat protection and restoration. These projects total $575,000.
Pelham Bay Park Lagoon. Formerly a shallow bay, the project site was filled with
construction debris in the 1930s to create the huge parking lot of Orchard Beach and connect
Hunter Island to the mainland. Additional alterations were made in the 1960s, when the
shoreline of the lagoon was straightened to create a rowing course. The goal of the proposed
project is to restore four acres of salt marsh in Pelham Bay Park. Approximately 24,000 cubic
yards of land fill material will be excavated from the site. After backfilling with clean sand
and grading to the appropriate contours to allow normal tidal flow, native salt marsh plants will
be planted. This will included 134,510 plugs of salt marsh cordgrass, Spartina altemiflora, and
110 Advancing the Sound Agenda
3,000 native, salt tolerant shrubs. The project will increase the coverage of salt marsh
vegetation at the site by 86%.
Twin BallfieM Restoration at Forest Park. The Twin Ballflelds were constructed in 1966 at
the bottom of a natural basin depression, known as a glacial kettle, by the placement and
grading of fill to create a level playing field. Drains were installed to convey water from the
site in an effort to maintain dry conditions. Due to a combination of failed drainage, soil
compaction, and poor placement (topographic low) the site became increasingly wetter and
finally unplayable. This project will reclaim the site as a kettle pond habitat which will require
little or no maintenance beyond the scheduled monitoring period. Wildlife habitat for aquatic
invertebrates, waterfowl, migratory birds, and possibly herpetiles will be created.
Town of North Hempstead. The town has received $9,705 for a nonpoint source abatement
and sedimentation pond improvement project on Hempstead Harbor. This project will reduce
nonpoint source pollution to Hempstead Harbor by treating stormwater runoff and stabilize an
area of the shoreline to allow for development of a nature trail. The project involves four
components: excavate two sediment ponds near the harbor; increase the height of the
surrounding access road and dike with additional fill; realign pipes, add riprap and a manhole
to facilitate sediment entrapment and maintenance; and stabilize the site with erosion and
sediment control measures and plantings.
The town also received $230,756 for wetlands improvements on the Morewood site on
Hempstead Harbor. The project restores 6.4 acres of existing freshwater wetlands and creates
an additional 3.6 acres of new wetlands.
Village of Northport. The Village of Northport received $36,400 from the Clean Water/Clean
Air Bond Act for the James Su:eet watershed. Stormwater runoff from this watershed now
flows untreated into Northport Harbor. The James Street terminus at the harbor is currently
washed out, impairing not only water quality but also public access to the harbor. This project
will receive the surface flow from James Street and adjacent intersections. Two catch basins
will be installed, and ouffall of the catch basin closest to the harbor will be into a new tidal
marsh constructed adjacent to the south bulkhead. This tidal wetland will receive and treat any
overflow from the upland catch basin that is not absorbed by percolation.
Town of Oyster Bay. The Town of Oyster Bay received two Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
grants for projects to improve water quality and aquatic habitat in Hempstead Harbor. These
projects total $332,368.
Glenwood Road Area Runoff Control andRemediation. Glenwood Road receives the runoff
from over 1,200,000 square feet of pavement, developed property, and natural woodland. This
runoff contributes to water quality impairments to Hempstead Harbor and resulting beach
closures. This project is part of a comprehensive plan covering all town land and adjacent
private properties. This project will receive nmoffof up to 2 inches/hour and treat it through
a series of structural measures and the addition of a tidal wetland vegetation.
Tappen Beach Natural Shoreline Restoration. Tappen Beach is one of nine beaches on
Hempstead Harbor. All have been closed periodically as a result of impaired water quality,
especially following heavy rainstorms. Nonpoint source pollution is a conttibuting factor, and
the present shoreline topography and drainage structures allow the runoff the enter Hempstead
Harbor without detention and primary treatment. This project would address this by:
modifying utilities; installing a perimeter filter strip for stormwater collection, diversion, and
retention; developing dunes for shoreline protection and integrating filter strips; developing
tidal marshes to improve the natural habitat and increase wildlife while reducing pollutants
through phyto remediation.
.4dvancing the $ound.4genda 111
CO.4STAL NONPOINT POLL UTION CONTROL PROGRAM
There is a new level of attention focused on coastal water quality. In 1990, Congress passed
and President Bush signed the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments. Among other
provisions, the new section 1455b of the Coastal Zone Management Act requires states with
approved coastal zone management programs to develop and implement a coastal nonpoint
pollution control program, aimed at controlling nonpoint pollution which impacts coastal water
quality.
The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendment requires that the coastal nonpoint program
include enforceable elements to address a wide range of sources of pollution, including that
generated by agriculture, urban and development activities, and hydromodifications, such as
channel dredging. The state is free to use a wide variety of mechanisms to achieve this goal.
The coastal nonpoint program is based on the proposition that certain land uses and
development activities have been demonstrated to cause water quality impairments and that
there are specific measures that are known to address the problems. Recognizing the fact that
nonpoint pollution fi.om areas outside the coastal area can impact coastal water quality, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
also have specified that the coastal nonpoint program apply to the coastal area and additional
upland areas which may be sources of pollution to coastal waters. For the Long Island Sound
watershed, this means that the entire watershed will be subject to the nonpoint program.
The New York State Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program has been completed by the
Depathnent of State and the Department of Environmental Conservation and approved by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.
This program presents a comprehensive statewide approach to reducing nonpoint source
pollution to coastal waters through a series of management practices.
Watershed Management. The Town of North Hempstead, the Town of Oyster Bay, the City
of Glen Cove, and the villages of Flower Hill, Roslyn, Roslyn Harbor, Sands Point, and Sea
Cliff have signed an intermunicipal agreement to create the Hempstead Harbor Protection
Committee. Nassau County is also a significant participant. The committee formed to prepare
a study of nonpoint source pollution and water quality in the harbor with the goal of
cooperative managament of the harbor. The Department of State has awarded the communities
two Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grants
totaling $130,000 to support this effort. The Hempstead Harbor Water Quality Improvement
Plan, which contains specific recommendations for programmatic and capital projects, was
completed in May 1998.
The Hempstead Harbor municipalities have a number of projects underway that implement
recommendations of the Water Quality Improvement Plan. The Town of North Hempstead
received a $7,500 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grant to prepare a
Waterfowl Education Program. The Department of State has provided three 1997 Title 11,
Environmental Protection Fund grants to the Village of Sea Cliff to support the work of the
committee, to expand water quality testing in the harbor through the Coalition to Save
Hempstead Harbor, and to design a sewer extension along Shore Road. The Village of Roslyn
Harbor received $1,750 to install "pooper scooper" signs, develop a public education brochure,
and prepare a nonpoint source control law.
Following the example of the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, the municipalities
around Manhasset Bay have also created an int~miunicipal organization to prepare a watershed
management plan for that bay. The Town of North Hempstead, Nassau County, and the
villages of Ba~ter Estates, Great Neck, Kensington, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome
Manor, Port Washington North, Sands Point, Thomaston are all active participants in this
effort. The group received a $72,000 grant from the Department of State, Title 11, Local
112 .4dvancing the Sound.4genda
Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund to evaluate nonpoint source
pollution in the watershed and determine the actions that the municipalities, individually and
as a group, can undertake to improve water quality.
To address concerns related to deteriorating surface water quality in Mattituck Inlet, the Town
of Southold received from the Department of State a $40,000 Title 1 I, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant in 1996. This project will
develop a stormwater management plan that will reduce the level of sediments, nutrients, and
pollutants from entering Mattituck Inlet, thereby protecting the habitat and the economic uses
associated with shellfishing. The project will include a priority list of watershed improvement
projects and designs for recommended stormwater mitigation projects.
In Westchester County, the Town of Mamaroneck received a $45,000 Title 11, Environmental
Protection Fund grant on behalf of a group of municipalities in the Sheldrake-Mamaroneck
Rivers watershed to prepare a watershed management plan. This work will complement other
watershed management plans along Westchester County's Long Island Sound shoreline.
LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGP~4MS
Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs are an important foundation of the Long Island
Sound Coastal Management Program. Local government authority, expressed in Local
Waterfront Revitalization Programs and local land use planning and zoning, is identified as a
measure to implement thc Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program in the majority
of the 50 recommendations. The state-local partnership in the coastal area is essential becanse
local govemments, alone, have authority over the land use decisions that affect the long-term
goals of the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program for resource enhancement and
focused economic development.
The Department of State will continue to work with the 23 communities along the Sound shore
that are participating in the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. Department of State will
assist these communities to reflect the objectives of the Long Island Sound Coastal
Management Program and their local priorities in the Local Waterfront Revitalization
Programs or components of local programs. The department will assist other eligible, but non-
participating, communities who wish to prepare Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs or
to begin components of local programs to address specific issues of concern or geographic
areas of concern.
Village of Bayvill~ In 1996, the village received from the Department of State a $4,000 Title
11, Environmental Protection Fund grant for the preparation of plans and construction
drawings to address erosion and stormwater problems affecting the Oyster Bay regionally
important natural area. The village received a $12,500 Title 11, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program grant in 1997 to construct erosion control structures along Creek Road,
adjacent to Mill Neck Creek. This project implements a recommendation of the Oyster Bay-
Cold Spring Harbor regionally important natural area management plan.
Town of Brookhaven. The town will complete a draft Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program for the north shore of the town's coastal area. Work required for an approved Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program includes updating the inventory and.analysis, preparing
coastal policies, and developing implementation mechanisms. The town received a $15,000
Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant to
improve the Cedar Beach Nature Pavilion which is used to promote increased understanding
of the town's coastal resources. This project is in addition to the natural resource planning the
town is participating in for the Stony Brook-Setanket regionally important natural area.
City of Glen Cov~ The City of Glen Cove Local Waterfront Revitalization Program will be
revised to include the detailed redevelopment plans being prepared for Glen Cove Creek. The
Advancing the Sound~genda 113
outcome will be greater specificity and consistency in federal, state, and local decision making
that will facilitate remediation, redevelopment, and increase public access.
Town of Huntington. In 1996, the town received from the Department of State a $30,000
Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant. The
purpose of the grant is to prepare a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for Huntington
Harbor and the surrounding uplands.
Village of Lloyd Harbor. The village Local Waterfront Revitalization Program was approved
in 1997. The village received a $10,000 Title 11, Environmental Protection Fund grant in
1998 for restoration of Fiske Pond.
Town ofMamaroneck/Village of£archmont. The town and village have an approved joint
Local Waterfront Revitalization Program that focuses on maintaining existing commercial and
recreational water-dependent uses, and improving the quality of surface waters, habitats, and
wetlands by minimizing nonpoint source pollution. An update of the Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program to reflect the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program and
to revise the coastal policies has been completed. In 1996, the Town of Mamaroneck received
from the Department of State a $30,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Environmental Protection Fund grant. The purpose of the grant is to minimize sediment
entering Mamaroneck Harbor from the Sheldrake River by stabilizing the river's banks with
plantings and rebuilding stonewalls. The Town of Mamaruneck was awarded a $46,600 Title
11, Local W. aterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant in 1997 to
prepare an mtermunicipal nonpoint source pollution control program for the Mamaroneck and
Sheldrake River watersheds. This project will identify best management practices and provide
guidance for future applications to the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.
Village of Mamaronecl~ The village has an approved Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program. The village is in the process of updating its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
by including standards for harbor management and control ofnonpoint sources. In the future,
the village may chose to update and revise its coastal policies. The village received from the
Department of State a $25,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Env. iror!rnental Protection Fund grant in 1994 for dredging coordination management. This
project ~s complete.
New York City. New York City has an approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program,
and has received from the Department of State a $150,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund to revise the Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program to reflect the Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program and
the city's comprehensive waterfront plan. New York City and Department of State will submit
the revised New York City Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to the federal Office of
Coastal Resource Management as a regional coastal management program for the entire New
York City waterfront. New York City received two 1997 Title 11, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program grants totaling $112,000. One grant will support its public outreach
program for approval of its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. The second is to prepare
a heritage preservation study of City Island.
City of New Rochell~ The city has received funding from the Department of State, Title 11,
Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund to update and
complete its draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
VillagesofNissequogueandHead-of-the-Harbor. The villages of Nissequogue and Head-of.
the-Harbor have an approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program that reflects the need
to improve woter quality in Stony Brook Harbor. In pursuit of the objective, the villages
received a total of $16,800 from the Department of State, Title 11, Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund to complete a stormwater management
plan. The Village of Head-of-the-Harbor was awarded a $100,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront
114 .4dvancing the Sound.4genda
Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant to build two stormwater
improvement projects.
Town of North Hempstead. The town has a draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program,
which requires refinement and updating to include new plans for redevelopment of the
Morewood property. In 1996 the town received from the Department of State a $30,000 Title
11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant. The
purpose of the grant is to prepare a portion of a large vacant site, most of it occupied by a
former sand mining operation, for development of a trail by removing large sand mining
machinery. The site, which is located on the west shore of Hempstead Harbor, has been
identified as one of five large sites of regional significance on the Sound shoreline with
economic development, public access, and open space potential. The town has completed a
detailed redevelopment plan for the area which includes plans for a waterfront nature trail.
In Manhasset Bay, which is the town's second major harbor, the Town of North Hempstead
and Nassau County are cooperatively planning a nature trail that will link town- and county-
owned parks along the Manhasset Bay shore. In 1996, the town received from the Department
of State a $25,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection
Fund grant to assist in the trail effort. This project will result in a feasibility study and
planning and design for the trail. In addition to expanded public access offered by a new trail,
this project is also designed to restore tidal wetlands and mitigate pollution from stormwater
drainage into the bay. Because much of the bay's shoreline has been bulkheaded, this project
provides important natural habitat for waterfowl and marine shellfish and fmfish.
Town of Oyster Bay. The Town of Oyster Bay has a draft Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program. Oyster Bay and the surrounding upland have been identified as an regionally
important natural area, and the town is working with Departrnent of State, the surrounding
villages, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Village of Lloyd Harbor to prepare a
regionally important natural area management plan. The town has received a grant from the
Environmental Protection Fund to develop a harbor management plan and a coastal water
quality improvement program for the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor complex. These town
studies will be important elements of the plan. After the plan has been completed, the town
may choose to complete its Local Waterfront RevitaY~zation Program for the north shore of the
town's coastal area.
Village of Old Field The village has received from the Deparhnent of State a $14,000 Title
11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grant to prepare
a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program which will focus on coastal hazards management.
Depadment of State will continue to assist the village to complete a draft Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program.
Village of Port Chester. As part of the work to be done in the Village of Port Chester
redevelopment area, Department of State will assist the village if it chooses to update its Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program by revising its coastal policies and by adding additional
detail for its redevelopment area.
Village of Port Jefferson. The Department of State will work with the Village of Port
Jefferson to complete a final Local Waterfront Revitalization Program that will incorporate the
harbor management plan being prepared.
Town of Riverheaa[ The Town of Riverhead intends to prepare a draft Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program as part of a comprehensive plan update.
CiO~ of Rye The City of Rye has an approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, which
it may ch6se to revise and update to incorporate more recent information from the Long Island
Sound Coastal Management Program. In 1997, the city received $21,500 from Title 11, Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund to design a sediment
control system for the city marina to minimize the need for dredging.
.4dvancing the Sound.~genda 115
Village of Sea Cliff. The Village of Sea Cliff is preparing a draft Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program with the assistance of the Department of State.
Town of Smithtown. The Town of Smithtown's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program was
approved in 1988. The local program reflects the potential redevelopment area at the Kings
Park Psychiatric Center. In 1996 the Town of Smithtown received two Title 11, Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund grants. One grant is for
$45,000 to update the town's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. The second grant is
for $28,000 to restore Old Dock Bluff Park Beach by filling eroded areas, reconstructing a
wooden stairway from the bluff to the beach, and revegetating the bluff.
Town of Southold. A $25,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Environmental Protection Fund grant was awarded by the Department of State to the town in
1994 to fund a town-wide erosion management program that will be incorporated into the draft
Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
The Department of State awarded a $15,000 Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
Environmental Protection Fund grant to the town in 1995 to complete design plans and
construction drawings for specific road ends to advance the town's objectives to improve water
.quality and increase public access. The plan calls for improving road ends to enhance and
merease public access to Long Island Sound and to mitigate pollution by controlling
stormwater runoff. To implement the street end design plans, a $42,000 Title 11, Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund construction grant was
awarded by the Department of State to the town in 1996.
The town received three Title 11, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grants in 1997 to
implement a variety of projects. Using a $3,500 grant, the town will sponsor a workshop to
discuss ferry related impacts on Long Island coastal communities, with a particular emphasis
on the north shore and east end. Communities are concerned about increased vehicular traffic
generated by ferries serving Connecticut casinos. They also received $160,000 to study a
severe erosion problem in the vicinity of Mattituck Inlet and Goldsmith Inlet to determine the
;~?~f the er.o.s, ion and the best means of mitigating damages. Finally, the town received
,000 to estabhsh a GIS database to support a growth management planning initiative and
to implement the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. The grant would be used. to
acquire data, train staff, and begin analysis of data.
NONPOINT SOURCE IMP£EMENT.4TION GR.4NTS PROGRAM
The Department of Environmental Conservation funds projects for nonpoint source pollution
control under its Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants Program funded through the
Environmental Protection Fund and the federal Clean Water Act. A sampling of projects
funded on Long Island Sound include:
Town of Huntington. The town received a grant of $30,500 from the Department of
Enviro .nmental Conservafion's Nonpoint Source Implementation Program. The grant supports
an engineering feasibility study to develop mechanisms for better control of stormwater
flowing into Centerport Harbor and its surrounding wetlands.
Town of Southold. The town received a $25,000 grant for stormwater mitigation along
Mattituck Creek to reduce nonpoint source pollution.
LONG ISLAND SOUND STUDY
The Long Island Sound Study began in 1985, with federal funds to focus on research,
monitoring, and assessment of water quality for the Sound. In 1988, Long Island Sound was
formally designated an "Estuary of National Significance" under the National Estuary
Program. In addition to specific studies aimed at achieving a better understanding of the
Sound, the Long Island Sound Study has prepared the Comprehensive Conservation
116 Jdvancing the Sound/lgenda
Management Plan, which was reaffn'med by Govemor Pataki in 1996. The plan characterizes
each priority water quality problem of Long Island Sound and describes the general approach
and specific actions needed to solve it. In addition, the plan proposes actions to increase public
education and involvement, protect aquatic resources and habitats, monitor progress, and refine
management efforts.
The Clean WateffClean Air Bond Act provides a significant means for implementing the
priorities of the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. The highest priorities of the
plan are nitrogen reduction through improvements to wastewater treatment plants, nonpoint
source reduction, and aquatic habitat restoration. Secondary priorities are habitat restoration,
storm water control, combined sewer overflow abatement, and sediment remediation. The
Department of Environmental Conservation is working to implement the nitrogen reduction
program set forth in the Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation Management
Plan.
A multi-agency effort, involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the Department of State, the Department of Environmental Conservation,
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the Long Island Sound Study staff, and
Sea Grant, is currently advancing implementation of the Habitat Restoration Initiative for Long
Island Sound.
IMPLEMENTATION SUMMARY
The following list summarizes the implementation status of the $0 recommendations of the
Long Island Sound Coastal Management Program. These recommendations, both individually
and collectively, represent priorities for public actions to achieve the vision for the Sound.
Within the Long Island Sound coastal region, these actions should receive priority for existing
available state funding and should be viewed as an indicator of need as resources become
available.
Advancing the Sound~lgenda 117
No. Recommendation Underway Future
Action
The Developed Coast
1 Foster a development pattern on the Long Island Sound coast which
focuses on the 17 existing centers of development, strengthens the
waterfront economy, and preserves natural resources.
2 Work with local governments to advance development in brownfields and
undemsed urban waterfronts to produce regional economic benefits, meet
the ~emand for large-scale new development, and restore deteriorated
envn'onlnents.
3 Advance cooperative efforts between the state and local governments to
establish desired uses on large sites which are in single ownership and
which are the most suitable for new appropriate development.
4 Maintain and enhance historic maritime communities to strengthen the
region's coastal heritage and coastal economy.
5 Assist local governments to use their existing land use authority to protect
recreational lands for their associated open space, habitat, and aesthetic
purposes.
6 Advance Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs or specific issue or
geographic components of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs for
all municipalities on Long Island Sound.
7 Survey the historic and archaeological resoumes of the Long Island
Sound coastal region.
8 Assist local governments to protect historic and archaeological resources
through Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and strengthened local
laws.
9 Protect scenic resources within the Long Island Sound coastal region.
The Natural Coast
10 Protect and restore unique areas of regional significance characterized by
a diversity of outstanding resources, which are at risk.
11 Achieve a net gain in the quality and quantity of tidal wetlands and no net
loss in the quality of freshwater wetlands in the Long Island Sound
coastal area.
12 Promote nsc of indigenous Long Island plants.
13 Protect wildlife corridors in the Long Island Sound coastal area and
watershed areas by avoiding fragmentation.
14 Develop an ecosystam monitoring program for Long Island Sound.
15 Amend Enviromnental Conservation Law Article 34 regulations to
require mitigation for impacts of hard erosion control structures and to
guarantee mitigation through performance bonds.
16 Establish a coastal processes monitoring program for critical erosion areas
along the Long Island Sound shore.
17 Establish permanent sedmient bypassing systems alung the Long Island
Sound coast to correct problems caused by past structural intervention
and where there is a demonstrated public benefit.
18 Assist local governments to manage development in flood and erosion
prone areas, through erosion management plans that include a post-storm
redevelopment component.
19 Encourage development of local zuning regulations to adequately address
siting of structures and land uses in flood and erosion
hazard areas.
20 Implement the Long Island Sound Study nitrogen reduction targets and
the Final Phase 3 Nitrogen Reduction Strategy approved by the Long
Island Sound Study Policy Cormmttee.
21 Reduce loadings of toxic substances in order to reduce risk to humans,
wildlife, and ecological communities.
22 Control combined sewer overflows to minimize pollution by pathogens,
nutrients, toxic materials, and floatable debris.
23 Provide vessel pumpout stations and support designations of no discharge
zones to reduce direct contamination of waters and shellfish by vessel
sewage discharge.
24 Advance intermunicipal efforts to reduce nonpoint source pollution in
Long Island Sound's embayments.
118 Advancing the Sound Agenda
Future
No. Recommendation Underway Action
The Public Coast
25 Identify, preserve, and provide access to regionally important vistas.
26 Complete a coastal network of community and regionat greenways and
blueways that would link public waterfront access points, the foreshore,
the nearshore surface waters, and large and small public parks and open
spaces to improve linear and perpendicular access to the coast and to
coastal recreation facilities.
27 Maintain the public interest in public trust lands along the Sound coast by
identifying these lands and ensuring that all private use of these lands
comports with the public txnst doctrine.
28 Reassert public trust rights on public trust lands that are used in a manner
that is incompatible with the public trust doctrine.
29 Develop educational materials to inform the public and local governments
on coastal resources and issues that affect the wise management and use
of those resources.
30 Prepare and distxibute a guide to public access and recreational areas and
facilities for the Long Island Sound region.
31 Continue interagency efforts to protect shipwrecks and other underwater
sites of historic or archaeological importance.
32 Develop an appropriate mix of, and establish priorities for, public access
and recreation facilities, and open space areas to meet needs.
The ~Forking Coast
33 Improve siting requirements for marinas and other docking facilities.
34 Increase efforts to preserve the Sound's shellfishery.
35 Provide for petxoleum transshipment and encourage phase-out of certain
oil storage facilities.
36 Implement a state oil spill contingency plan.
37 Protect agriculture and farmland.
38 Improve the econoimc viability of mantime centers, by working with
local governments and the private sector to identify opportunities and
priorities for public and private investments to upgrade necessary
infrastructure such as: water and sewer lines; maintenance dredging of
navigation channels and anchorage basins, docks, and piers; bulkheads;
boat ramps; sidewalks and parking lots; rest rooms; pumpnnt stations; and
waterfront parks.
39 Investigate options to obtain capital funds needed for necessary
infrastructure in the Sound's maritime centers.
40 Assist the commercial fishing industry in providing adequate commercial
fishing infrastructure.
41 Conslruct artificial fishing reefs.
42 Encourage private enterprise to develop private ferry services which are
compafble with community needs.
43 Support private initiatives to enmplete a system of offshore unloading
terminals and a pipeline distribution system to Ixansport pelxoleum to
inland locations.
44 Ensure that property tax assessments appropriately reflect the use value of
waterfront land occupied by water-dependent commercial and indnstxial
45 Expedite regulatory approvals for appropriate water-dependent uses in
maritime centers.
46 Continue efforts with the private sector to market fishery products.
47 Encourage private sector development of aquaculture.
48 Work with local governments to improve the safety and efficiency of
harbors.
49 Ensure that dredging is done to the extent necessary to meet the current
and future needs of water-dependent commercial and industrial uses of
the Long Island Sound.
50 Expedite and coordinate dredging projects within maritime centers.
.4dvancing the Sound.4genda 119
§ 922 EXECUTIVE LAW
Art. 42
Use and regulation of public property water frontage, wharves, and docks, see
C..I.S. Municipa Corporations § 1812 et seq.
WESTLAW Research
Municipal corporations cases: 268k[add key number~.
Navigable waters cases: 270k[add key numberl.
States cases: 360k[add key numberl,
§ 91~3. Long Island Sound coastal advisory commission
I. Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and
terms shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates
another or different meanings or intent:
(a) "Long Island Sound coastal management program" or "pro-
gram" shall mean that regional program prepared by the department
pursuant to the recommendation of the governor's task force on
COastal resources.
Co) "Long Island Sound coastal advisory commission" or "com-
mission" shall mean that commission created pursuant to subdivision
two of this section.
2. Long Island Sound coastal advisory commission. (a) The Long
Island Sound coastal advisory commission is hereby created in the
depal'h~lent. The commission shall consist of seventeen members.
The legislature shall appoint six members, all of whom must be local
government officials, two of whom shall reside in Westchester coun-
ty, two of whom shall reside in Nassau county and two of whom shall
reside in Suffolk county. Of these six, two voting members shall be
appointed by the temporary president of the senate, and two mem-
hers shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly. One voting
member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate and
one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assem.
bly. In addition five members shall be appointed by the secretary,
one of whom shall be chair; one of whom shall represent builders,
one of whom shall represent recreational anglers, one of whom shall
represent commercial fishing, one of whom shall represent recre-
ational boaters and one of whom shall represent birders; in addition,
membership on the commission shall include one member, a New
York state resident, appointed by and from the Long Island Sound
study management conference; the Long Island Sound study citi.
zens' advisory committee co-chair residing in New York state; the
director of New York sea grant; and the commissioners of economic
development, environmental conservation and parks, recreation and
historic preservation; one member shall be appointed by the com-
missioner of economic development and shall represent business;
one member shall be appointed by the commissioner of environmen-
178
WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION § 923
tal conservation and shall represent environmental protection; and
one member shall he appointed by the commissioner of parks,
recreation and historic preservation and shall represent recreation.
The commission shall meet at least once a year and shall encourage
attendance at such meetings of representatives from local govern-
ments on the sound and other interested parties. Copies of the
minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded to the secretary.
Co) Every state agency and public corporation having jurisdiction
over land or water on or in the sound, or over programs relating to
the purposes and goals of this article shall, to thc fullest extent
practicable, offer full cooperation and assistance to the council in
carrying out the provisions of this section.
(c) Every local agency with programs relating to the sound shall
offer assistance to the commission, to the extent practicable, in
carrying out the provisions of this section.
(d) In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of any
member, such vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment. The members of the commission shall serve
without compensation.
3. Powers and duties of the commission. The commission shall
have the power:
(a) to make by-laws for the management and regulation of its
affairs;
(b) to utilize, to the extent practicable, the staff and facilities of
existing state and local agencies;
(c) to annually review the Long Island Sound coastal management
program and policies and recommend revisions thereto;
(d) to assist in the coordination of,this program with other pro-
grams and activities affecting Long Island Sound;
(e) to hold public hearings to solicit input and comment from the
public on implementation of the program; and
(f) to prepare an annual report on the conduct of its activities.
(Added L.1995, c. 212, § 2.)
Historical and Statutory Notes
Effective Date. Section effective July portation authority inspector general, and
' 26, 1995, pursuant to L.1998, c. 212, § 3. was repealed by L.1983, c. 427, § 1, eft.
Former § 923. Section, added L. 1981, July 11, 1983.
c. 482, § 6, related to cooperation with. Legislative Flndlng~ and Intent of
~nd assistance o[~ other agencies with re- L.1998, c. 212. L. 1995, c. 212, § 1, elf.
~pect to the office of metropulitan trans- July 26. 1995, provided: "One of New
179