News 12 LI - Special Broadwater Report V

For some, the focus on the impact of Broadwater?s proposed gas barge on Long Islanders? pockets has been missing the mark. For those who make their living in the Long Island Sound, it?s a matter of aesthetics

News 12 Staff

Mar 28, 2008, 12:37 PM

Updated 6,099 days ago

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For some, the focus on the impact of Broadwater?s proposed gas barge on Long Islanders? pockets has been missing the mark. For those who make their living in the Long Island Sound, it?s a matter of aesthetics and the local ecosystems.
Bob Ceglowski, who runs charter boats out of Mattituck, says he doesn't think the view from his office should include a 1,200-foot barge rising stories above the water. ?My biggest concern is that it's going to destroy Long Island Sound as far as the recreation, fish life, plant life, the beauty of Long Island,? Ceglowski says. "It's going to be totally destroyed. They're going to make an industrial park out of the whole nine yards here."
Broadwater maintains the barge would be highly regulated, safe, clean and pose no threat to the Sound. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has agreed, recently ruling the barge will have no significant environmental impact in or around the Long Island Sound.
John German, president of the Long Island Sound Lobstermen, says he isn?t convinced by the claims of Broadwater or the federal government. He's worried what the project will do to the already fragile water quality of the Sound.
?You can only make a mistake one time and it's done forever,? German says.
To watch the full town hall meeting, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.
Part V: Where those who work on the Sound stand on Broadwater