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PECONIC ESTUARY PROGRAM COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Citation:
Impact/Purpose:
Healthy Waters
Description:
The Peconic Estuary, situated between the North and South Forks of eastern Long Island, New York, consists of more than 100 distinct bays, harbors, embayments, and tributaries. The area surrounding the Peconic Estuary's watershed is rich in rolling farmland, scenic beaches and creeks, lush woodlands, and wetlands. The Peconic Estuary System includes the Peconic Estuary and those land areas that contribute groundwater and storm water runoff to the Peconic River and Estuary. The estuary system features numerous rare ecosystems that are home to many plant and animal species, including several nationally and locally threatened and endangered plants and animals. The Nature Conservancy has designated the Peconic Estuary System as one of the "Last Great Places" in the Western Hemisphere. Bountiful living resources support commercial fin and shell fishing, as well as other water-dependent and water-related activities. Tourism and recreation are central to the local economy, including businesses such as restaurants and marinas that cater to recreational fishermen, boaters, bathers, hunters, and nature enthusiasts. In 1993, more than 1,100 establishments were identified as "estuarine dependent" and gross revenues for these establishments exceeded $450 million per year. More than 7,300 people are employed in these businesses, with a combined annual income of more than $127 million. The numerous ecological, cultural, and economic assets of the Peconic Estuary System are enjoyed by both residents and visitors. The East End towns are home to approximately 100,000 people. During the summer season, this number swells to over 280,000. These year-round and seasonal populations put pressure on the area's natural resources and impact water quality. In recent years, many stakeholder groups have expressed concern about the impacts of population growth, new development, and natural resource exploitation on the overall health of the system. Some of the earliest concerns were raised in 1985, after the first appearance of the Brown Tide. The devastating impacts of this algal bloom heightened public awareness about the linkage between the region's ecology and economy. The Brown Tide also served to mobilize the citizens and local governments of eastern Long Island in an effort to save the estuary from careless exploitation and irreversible degradation. Historically, impacts from population growth and unchecked development have not been as severe in the Peconic Estuary as in certain other regions on Long Island. However, a number of problems have emerged in recent years, in addition to the Brown Tide, which suggest that the estuary is at a crossroads. These problems include the closure of shellfish beds due to pathogenic organisms, declines in finfish abundance, the loss and fragmentation of habitats, nutrient over-enrichment resulting in low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels (in Flanders Bay), the potential for low levels of toxics to impact the system, the loss of open space and farmland to residential development. There is a growing awareness of the need for remedial efforts to correct existing problems as well as proactive efforts to prevent further degradation of the system.