Residents and lawmakers are coming together in a last-ditch effort to save a dying waterway in Mastic.

Officials say pollution in the Forge River has gotten so out of hand that marine life chokes for oxygen near the surface of the water. Peconic baykeeper Kevin McAllister says pollution isn?t the only problem. He says bacteria from aging home cesspools and nitrogen from road runoff and lawn fertilizers could kill the Forge if something isn?t done quickly.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation declared the Forge River an impaired waterway in April, making it eligible for cleanup. A task force has been set up to coordinate between the county, state and federal government, but many residents say they fear the effort might be too little, too late.

Related Information: Save the Forge River