The Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality voted "yes" to the plan to rebuild Stump Pond in Smithtown.

The dam at the pond broke during an August 2024 storm, and drained the pond empty.

For the last year and a half, residents both in favor of and against rebuilding the dam and pond have been waiting to see if it will be restored.

On Wednesday afternoon, the advisory council voted yes to a plan to restore the pond. The decision now goes to Suffolk County Legislature.

Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi says she's confident the Legislature will vote "yes" to rebuild Stump Pond.

It's unclear when the measure will be voted on, but supporters hope to break ground on the project sometime this year.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine sent News 12 a statement in support of rebuilding the pond:

“This is an incredibly important step towards rebuilding the dam. Stump pond provides entertainment for every community. It plays a key role, not only in Suffolk County‘s history, but will also play a key role in our future. I want to thank all of the people who have worked so hard to help move this forward, especially the members of the community who have worked so diligently to have this wonderful body of water restored to glory.”