Peter Scully Named to Lead Suffolk’s Largest Water Infrastructure Initiative in a Generation

From the Office of County Executive Bellone

County Executive Steve Bellone today announced that he has named Peter Scully to lead Suffolk County’s largest water infrastructure initiative in 40 years.  Scully, who has served Suffolk County residents for nearly 30 years in various roles has been Regional Director for the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation (DEC) for the past 12 years, serving under four different governors.  Bellone will be naming Scully as Deputy County Executive for Administration.

“When it came to leading Suffolk County’s largest water infrastructure initiative in 40 years, I was only able to come up with a list with one name on it, Peter Scully,” County Executive Bellone said.  “Peter has served Suffolk County residents with distinction and I am honored to have him join my administration.  Peter is well known as one of our region’s most respected environmental leaders and has a well-earned reputation as an effective, non-partisan problem solver.”

Scully, a Stony Brook resident, is the long serving DEC regional director in Long Island’s history.  He was appointed in 2003 by then Governor George Pataki, and was subsequently retained by 3 Democratic Governors.  Previously, he served in the administration of Suffolk County Executive Bob Gaffney for six years, rising to the position of Deputy County Executive for Administration.  He also served as Commissioner of Environmental Control in the Town of Islip and Deputy Supervisor of the Town of Brookhaven.  Among the various positions held by Scully, include Chairman of the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission and Chairman of the Forge River Protection Task Force.

He has been honored with the Marine Conservation Award from the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation and the Environmental Stewardship Award of Long Island/Achievement of Excellence from his alma master, Stony Brook University.

“When I was appointed Chairman of the Forge River Protection Task Force in 2005, I cautioned the members of the task force repeatedly that the greatest challenge to cleaning up the Forge River would be the cost developing wastewater treatment infrastructure.  Now, thanks to the leadership of Governor Cuomo, and the strong working relationship between County Executive Bellone and Supervisor Ed Romaine, we are poised to make that happen.  I am appreciative to County Executive Bellone for the opportunity to be part of this historic project,” Scully said.  “I am grateful to Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Martens for allowing me to serve in the DEC and it makes it easier to leave knowing that office is in good hands.  As hard as it was to leave the DEC, it was impossible to turn down a once in a generation opportunity to help put in place the kind of clean water infrastructure which can turn the tide on the nitrogen pollution which is the number one threat to Long Island’s water quality.”

Working with Governor Andrew Cuomo and partners in New York State and the federal government, including Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Suffolk County will be receiving $383 million in funding for proposed sewer projects in order to help bolster coastal resiliency against future storms.  The extension of sewers to these areas is an important step to help Suffolk County recover from Superstorm Sandy and will dramatically jump start a comprehensive effort to reduce nitrogen pollution that adversely affects coastal wetlands that protect communities from damaging storms and are critical to the region’s economic and environmental health.

The proposed projects include:

1. Forge River Watershed centered around Mastic: An estimated $196 million project would address storm impacts and reduce extensive nitrogen pollution to the Forge River and Great South Bay. The proposed project would connect parcels in the area to a new sewer collection system that will flow to a new wastewater treatment plant (that would include nitrogen treatment) located on municipal property near the Brookhaven Town Airport.

2. Carlls River Watershed centered around North Babylon and West Babylon: An estimated $136 million project would address storm impacts and reduce nitrogen and pathogen pollution in the Carlls River and Great South Bay. The proposed project would connect parcels to the Bergen Point sewer system within the Southwest Sewer District.

3. Connequot River Watershed centered around Great River: An estimated $33 million would be used to address nitrogen pollution and pathogens in Connetquot River, Nicoll Bay and Great South Bay. The proposed project would connect parcels to the Bergen Point sewer system.

4. Patchogue River Watershed centered around Patchogue: An estimated $18 million would be used to address nitrogen and pathogen pollution in Patchogue River and Great South Bay. The proposed project would connect parcels to the Patchogue sewer system within the Patchogue Sewer District.