Legislator Steven J. Flotteron along with Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito lead the initiative for federal, state, and local leaders and stakeholder organizations working collaboratively for three years to assess the wastewater management needs of Fire Island. Today, members of the Coalition for Fire Island Wastewater Solutions gathered at the Bay Shore Marina to announce a resolution for a grant to the Citizens Campaign for the Environment to fund the first ever Fire Island Wastewater Solutions Planning & Engineering Study.
This plan will be a crucial first step towards solving the unique challenges facing Fire Island’s wastewater management needs. Fire Island has only one small sewage treatment plant in the Village of Ocean Beach, therefore most residents and numerous tourists rely on antiquated septic and cesspool systems. These aging systems contribute to water quality impairments, harmful algal blooms, and loss of fisheries in the surrounding waterways, including Great South Bay and Shinnecock Bay.
“Now we can take the first step towards understanding the extent of the Fire Island nitrogen pollution problem and finding solutions that protect our waterways, fisheries, community, and our tourism industry,” said Legislator Flotteron.
Pictured (L-R): Steve Brutigam, Clerk/Treasurer Village of Ocean Beach; Suzy Goldhirsh, President, Fire Island Association; Gordon Canary, representing Senator Phil Boyle; John Cameron, Managing Partner, Cameron Engineering and Associates; Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment; Suffolk County Legislators Steven J. Flotteron and Anthony Piccirillo; Suffolk County Presiding Officer Robert Calarco; Chris Clapp, Nature Conservancy; Maureen Dunn,Water Quality Scientist, Seatuck Environmental Association and John Lund, Davis Park Board Member.