Long Island Estuaries
Beaver Brook Estuary
The coast of Long Island is punctuated by numerous small creeks and rivers draining to three major outlets; the Long Island Sound to the North, Peconic Bay to the East, and the group of bays comprising the South Shore Estuary.
The combined contributions of the small tributaries help drive the ecology of these important, larger estuarine systems. We support efforts to protect and restore the aquatic resources in this region that has been greatly impacted by dense population and heavy use.
EDF Long Island Roots
Environmental Defense Fund was born on Long Island in the late 1960's and helped to usher in the modern environmental era. Our headquarters has since moved to New York City, but we have not forgotten the magnificent ecosystems on Long Island that that inspired the organization's founding.
Part of the Long Island program is dedicated to the memory of our founding chairman, Dennis Puleston, an environmental advocate and legendary naturalist who made his home in Bellport. The EDF Puleston Fellowship provides a Fisheries Scientist to further our Long Island protection and restoration efforts. This position is currently housed in Islip, Long Island through our partnership with the Seatuck Environmental Association.
South Shore Estuary
Facts:
- The Long Island South Shore Estuary is fed by nearly 100 separate tributaries, ranging from small tidal creeks to the majestic Carmans River. It provides one of the last refuges for a sea-run strain of brook trout known as "salters."
- More than 30 obsolete dams that were contracted for the former mill, ice and cranberry industries now block access to 60 miles of the best quality stream habitat for salters and river herring. River herring are important prey for striped bass, bluefish and osprey.
- The Long Island South Shore Estuary is home to 1.5 million people. Approximately 3,000 estuary dependent businesses employ nearly 30,000 people.
Environmental Defense Fund Goals
(Implemented through partnership with local Long Island organization, Seatuck Environmental Association)
- Open 30 new miles of currently inaccessible habitat to migratory fishes across Long Island over the next 10 years by removing obsolete dams, or installation of fish ladders and other passage structures
- Ensure that watershed protection plans for tributary rivers have strong provisions to protect the water quality necessary to sustain healthy aquatic habitat
- Promote a systems-based approach to habitat management that will help to ensure sustainable levels of ecologically, culturally and economically important living resources in the waters on and near Long Island
Our Areas of Focus
Diadromous fish restoration
Diadromous fishes split their life cycles between freshwater and marine environments and are important to both ecosystems. Many species native to Long Island's waters have reduced populations due, in part, to migration barriers (e.g. dams) and human induced declines in water quality.
We are working with local partners to restore fish access and habitat quality in rivers and nearshore areas to bolster populations of river herring, brook trout and American eel.
- Alewife survey - Since 2006 EDF and the South Shore Estuary Reserve Office have teamed up to conduct a volunteer-based survey of the status of alewife runs on Long Island.
- Carmans Fish Ladder – Environmental Defense Fund was a member of the Carmans River Fish Ladder Partnership that succeeded in installing the first permanent fish ladder on Long Island on the Carmans River in 2008.
- Mill Pond - EDF worked with Trout Unlimited and Friends of the Bay to conduct a fish passage feasibility study at Mill Pond as part of a habitat assessment of all tributaries within the Cold Spring Harbor-Oyster Bay Watershed.
- South Shore Estuary Reserve barrier survey – 2008 survey of migration barriers in six South shore tributaries.
Watershed/ecosystem planning
Environmental Defense Fund supports management practices that promote sustainable aquatic ecosystems. It is generally best to manage aquatic systems on a watershed scale, considering all of the land that contributes water. This is an ecologically relevant scale that allows for more control over the conditions in a water body and gives more opportunity to see what works and what doesn't and adjust accordingly.
Our staff actively participates in watershed planning efforts on many Long Island streams, encouraging and supporting a science-based approach to management decisions.
- Great South Bay plan
- Nissequogue River plan
Salt Marshes
Salt marshes are ecologically and economically important features of the coastal landscape. They provide critical habitat for many aquatic and terrestrial animals, can act as biological filters for nutrients and contaminants, and can also help protect coastal property by absorbing wave energy during storm surges.
Much of Long Island's salt marsh has been lost or degraded as the island has become more developed and what remains is further threatened by sea-level rise. It will take a comprehensive and innovative approach by environmental managers to ensure that these valuable ecosystems persist. We are partnering with agencies and environmental organizations to help craft and implement such an approach.
Posted: 24-Apr-2009; Updated: 26-Apr-2007
