LI group calls on leaders to fix water quality

Members of a Long Island group are calling on officials to take immediate action to improve the Island's water quality. The Long Island Clean Water Partnership released a report that shows between

News 12 Staff

Sep 22, 2015, 2:03 AM

Updated 3,146 days ago

Share:

LI group calls on leaders to fix water quality
Members of a Long Island group are calling on officials to take immediate action to improve the Island's water quality.
The Long Island Clean Water Partnership released a report that shows between May and September every major bay and estuary was afflicted by either a toxic algae bloom or oxygen-starved waters.
"Things are worse than ever and something has to be done," says Dick Amper, of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society.
Stony Brook University professor Dr. Christopher Gobler, who monitors 28 site across Long Island, says extensive blooms of brown tide, rust tide and toxic blue green algae indicate that the Island's waterways are in serious trouble.
Gobler say that this year is particularly bad, with more than 4,000 acres of shellfish beds closed in Shinnecock Bay due to toxins.
The water partnership agrees, noting that an unprecedented die-off of marine life has been detected, including hundreds of diamondback terrapin turtles in the Peconic Bay.
The group wants local, state and federal officials to look into ways to reduce nitrogen coming from septic systems and fertilizers. It says state-of-the art septic systems are now available that could reduce nitrogen loads from the waste stream, but they are expensive and would be a major undertaking.
Stony Brook University has initiated a weekly program to monitor water quality levels across Long Island.


More from News 12
2:12
Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

2:31
Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments