South Shore Gains No-Discharge Designation

Southampton - The South Shore Estuary has been designated a Federal No-Discharge Zone, prohibiting the disposal of sewage waste into the aquatic ecosystem.

This designation is the end result of a two-year campaign led by the Baykeeper and included support from the Towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven and Southampton, as well as Fire Island National Seashore. The designation was accomplished through a petition prepared by Peconic Baykeeper on behalf of the named entities. New York State had previously certified the petition and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final approval, the No-Discharge Zone designation prohibits sanitary waste discharges by boats. The South Shore Estuary Reserve includes more than 110,000 acres of open bays and tributaries from the East Rockaway Inlet to Shinnecock Bay, extending from the Queens/Nassau County line east to the Village of Southampton.

Establishing a No-Discharge Zone will require vessels to discharge all sewage, treated or not, only at pump out facilities. The discharge of raw or partially treated sewage poses a serious threat to the surrounding marine environment, especially in shallow and poorly flushed water bodies. Boat sewage discharges increase levels of harmful bacteria and the chemicals used in treated sewage, such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine. All can impair water quality and threaten marine life. As a basis of approval, Peconic Baykeeper had to demonstrate the need for greater protection of the natural resources within the estuary and that an adequate number of pump out facilities existed in the area.

"As Long Islanders, we're deeply connected to our waters and it is our responsibility to ensure their long term vitality," Baykeeper Kevin McAllister stated, "Banning sewage discharges from vessels is another management step to ensure that the estuary is provided greater protection and can remain sustainable."

Established in 1997, Peconic Baykeeper is dedicated to safeguarding the ecological health of the Peconic and South Shore Bays, who mission is to patrol the bays, monitor water quality, identify pollution problems and enforce environmental protection laws, as well as work with government, officials and civic leaders to develop progressive conservation policies to ensure that estuaries are better protected.