marine life

If Patchogue’s bay and river waters appear to be red or pink, here’s why

If Patchogue’s bay and river waters appear to be red or pink, here’s why

They’re doing it for the shellfish.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have just announced a joint effort to track the ebb and flow of Patchogue wastewater.

To that end, the agencies will conduct a hydrographic dye study of wastewater from the Village of Patchogue Wastewater Treatment Plant on Hammond St. from March 24 to March 30.

Red dye to be added to Patchogue plant wastewater to see where shellfishing is safe

Red dye to be added to Patchogue plant wastewater to see where shellfishing is safe

State officials and the Food and Drug Administration are using a water-tracing dye to track Patchogue's wastewater in order to protect consumers of shellfish harvested in waters off Long Island's South Shore.

On March 25, wastewater from the Patchogue wastewater treatment plant will be treated over a period of 12.5 hours with low concentrations of dye, as part of a study to understand the treated effluent discharging into the Patchogue River and Patchogue Bay.

Fresh Air: NY Revises Contracts to Bolster Offshore Sunrise Wind Farm Developers

Fresh Air: NY Revises Contracts to Bolster Offshore Sunrise Wind Farm Developers

New York State has conditionally awarded new contracts to the developers of offshore wind farms with the goal of countering headwinds that the industry has faced since South Fork Wind went online.

Palumbo hosts roundtable meeting in Riverhead to discuss environmental issues

Palumbo hosts roundtable meeting in Riverhead to discuss environmental issues

Representatives of environmental groups, community groups and local government officials across eastern Suffolk County turned out for a two-hour, wide-ranging conversation with state legislators Thursday morning in Riverhead. 

New Grants Advance TNC's Mission in Connecticut

New Grants Advance TNC's Mission in Connecticut

From Long Island Sound to large cities, areas across the state will see positive change through multiple grants recently secured by The Nature Conservancy. Awards will advance ongoing collaborative work with existing partners but will also engage stakeholders in new conservation projects.

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Governor Hochul Signs First-in-the-Nation Bill to Limit Neonic Pesticides

Advocates, Health Professionals, and Farmers Celebrate

ALBANY, NY — A coalition of farmers, health professionals, and environmental groups are celebrating today after Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act (S1856-A/A7640). The bill will limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics), and, when fully implemented, would eliminate up to 80-90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment annually by prohibiting only unneeded neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and non-agricultural lawn and garden uses.

Efforts to Improve Long Island Sound Receive $12 Million in Grants

Efforts to Improve Long Island Sound Receive $12 Million in Grants

Innovative Approaches to Protecting Long Island Sound

The Long Island Sound ecosystem encompasses a vast area across five states and is home to a rich diversity of marine and avian species. Recognizing the importance of preserving this vital natural resource, federal officials have recently announced the allocation of $12 million in grants to various organizations and a municipality working towards improving the ecological health of Long Island Sound.

Long Island Sound watershed projects get $12M in grants

Long Island Sound watershed projects get $12M in grants

Thirty-nine grants totaling $12 million have been awarded to nonprofit organizations and a municipality working to improve the ecological health of Long Island Sound, federal officials announced Monday.

SBU News: Season of discontent In Long Island’s coastal waters

SBU News: Season of discontent In Long Island’s coastal waters

New 2023 Map Shows Record Number of Harmful Algal Blooms and Dead Zones Across Long Island

Scientists at Stony Brook University have completed their assessment of water quality in Long Island’s surface waters for 2023 and the news was not good –the announcement was made today at a press conference on the shores of Great South Bay. During the months of April through September, every major bay and estuary across Long Island was afflicted by harmful algal blooms (HABs), oxygen-starved, dead zones, and fish and turtles kills.  Excessive delivery of nitrogen from onsite wastewater has been cited as the root cause of these disturbing events.

Great South Bay’s new harmful algal blooms are in unsewered communities, study finds

Great South Bay’s new harmful algal blooms are in unsewered communities, study finds

Stony Brook University ecologist Chris Gobler completed his 2023 Assessment of Water Quality Impairments for Long Island.

A new type of harmful algal bloom was found this past summer in Long Island waters.

Wastewater infrastructure casts shadow over Suffolk County elections

Wastewater infrastructure casts shadow over Suffolk County elections

As the local election season intensifies, Suffolk County’s wastewater infrastructure has now become the defining policy issue, with residents and environmentalists demanding immediate action to address what they consider an environmental crisis.

New York forces Brookhaven to address toxic plume coming from its landfill

New York forces Brookhaven to address toxic plume coming from its landfill

Brookhaven Landfill rises behind the Frank P. Long Intermediate School and playground in North Bellport.

An underground plume of PFAS and other dangerous chemicals has emanated from the Brookhaven Landfill for decades. The Town of Brookhaven is now ordered to measure how far they must go to remediate affected drinking water sources.

Long Island water quality has hit a low point, environmentalist says

Long Island water quality has hit a low point, environmentalist says

“You could see the bottom of the water,” Montefusco recalled Thursday as he stood on the dock with several friends including Marty Lange, 86.

“Now, you can take a bright yellow, a chartreuse piece of line, drop it 2 inches into the water and you can’t see the line anymore,” Lange said.

Just a few feet away, Christopher Gobler, a professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, stood with local environmentalists and unveiled troubling data that showed water quality hitting an “all-time low” on Long Island since he started monitoring it about a decade ago.

Water quality is at an ‘all time low’

Water quality is at an ‘all time low’

Dr. Chris Gobler, of Stony Brook University's Gobler Laboratory, met with Citizens Campaign for the Environment and the Nature Conservancy earlier today at Mascot Dock in Patchogue Village to debrief the current Long Island water quality.

Students at Long Island Sound High School Summit share research projects to preserve 'ecological gem'

Students at Long Island Sound High School Summit share research projects to preserve 'ecological gem'

High school students from across Long Island presented research projects Tuesday on how to protect Long Island Sound for future generations, from reducing mercury pollution to protecting the waterway's marine life.

Community offshore wind invests in youth STEM education

Community offshore wind invests in youth STEM education

One month after submitting a proposal to the state government for clean energy investment, Community Offshore Wind is already starting to invest.

The joint venture between RWE Renewables and National Grid has put over $100,000 into youth STEM education programs for the future workforce, collaborating with multiple community partners in downstate New York to provide access to museums, outdoor spaces, and environmental and marine education for hands-on learning experiences.

Chandler: At milestone anniversary, LI needs more protection

Chandler: At milestone anniversary, LI needs more protection

As the nation observes the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA), perhaps nowhere is that landmark more crucial than Long Island which is totally dependent on underground aquifers for its source of drinkable water.