The Huntingtonian | Archive | Environment

Suffolk County Issues Advisory against Bathing at 62 Suffolk County Beaches Due to Heavy Rainfall

July 29, 2016 10:34 am Comments Off

Due to the heavy rainfall on Friday, July 29, 2016, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at 62 beaches. The advisory is based on the potential that the presence of bacteria at levels that exceed New York State standards will impact these areas.
The beaches covered by the advisory […]

Ozone Health Advisory For Wednesday July 6, 2016

July 6, 2016 7:50 am Comments Off

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an ozone health advisory for the Long Island region. Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken advises that young children, the elderly, those who exercise or are involved in strenuous outdoor work, and those with pre-existing respiratory or heart problems, limit strenuous outdoor activity. Ozone […]

New Cyanobacteria Blooms, Health Officials ask Residents to Keep Children & Pets Away From Area

July 5, 2016 9:38 am Comments Off

Recent sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook has confirmed new cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue–green algae, in Spring Lake in Middle Island, Setauket Mill Pond in Setauket, Georgica Pond in East Hampton, and Wainscott Pond in Wainscott.
Currently, cyanobacteria blooms exist at the following Suffolk County locations:

Spring Lake, Middle Island
Setauket Mill Pond, Setauket
Wainscott Pond, […]

New Cyanobacteria Blooms

June 25, 2016 11:52 am Comments Off

Recent sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook has confirmed new cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue–green algae, in Old Town Pond in Southampton.
Currently, cyanobacteria blooms exist at the following Suffolk County locations:
o   Mill Pond, Southampton
o   Maratooka Pond, Mattituck
o   Agawam Lake, Southampton
o   Old Town Pond, Southampton
o   Lake Ronkonkoma
Due to these findings, health officials ask residents […]

Suffolk Announces New Development in County’s Required Turf Management Course

June 19, 2016 12:22 pm Comments Off

Online component of the course being developed by Cornell Cooperative to provide flexibility and easy access for course completion

County Executive Bellone announced that of as part of the County’s required Turf Management Classes, the County has contracted with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) to develop an online-based class that landscapers may take in their own home […]

SUFFOLK COUNTY PARKS ANNOUNCES PLOVER SEASON

June 17, 2016 1:05 pm Comments Off

Parks Department Works to Maintain Beach Access While Adhering to Federal Guidelines to Protect the Piping Plovers

“Plover season has arrived”, announced the Suffolk County Parks Department, and with that inevitably comes the unfortunate obligation to close access to some outer beach areas within the Parks as required by the federal government.
The piping plovers are small, […]

Bellone Announces Addition of New Wastewater Expert to Suffolk County’s Water Quality Team

March 22, 2016 5:20 pm Comments Off

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone recently announced that soil scientist and wastewater management expert Justin Jobin has joined Suffolk County’s water quality team of engineers, scientists and public health professionals working to address the region’s nitrogen pollution crisis.

“I am both proud and grateful to add Justin’s unique expertise in identifying and managing innovative wastewater solutions […]

Commack Middle School Nature Explorers and Earth Protectors Club Recycle

February 23, 2016 1:38 pm Comments Off

Members of the Commack Middle School Nature Explorers and Earth Protectors Club put their eco-enthusiasm to work, sponsoring a school-wide plastic bag collection. They collected (and counted) 1,873 plastic bags, which will now be recycled, and not wind up in a landfill or as litter.

Club members are passionate about preserving our environment and want to […]

Peconic River Recreation Advisory

December 23, 2015 1:53 pm Comments Off

On December 15, 2015, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services issued an advisory to residents to take precautions before recreating on the tidal portion of the Peconic River (east of Grangebel Park) due to the possible residual effects of inadequately treated wastewater discharged from the Riverhead sewage treatment plant.
The treatment plant is currently being […]

Suffolk County Undertakes Review of Sewage Treatment Regulatory Program

November 30, 2015 1:57 pm Comments Off

As an outgrowth of County Executive Steve Bellone’s Reclaim Our Waters Initiative, the Suffolk County Health Department has undertaken a review of existing sewage treatment plant (STP) siting and enforcement practices to identify opportunities to further strengthen its regulatory programs.
“As part of a comprehensive approach to improve water quality, it makes sense to review our […]