Every year Dr. Christopher Gobler, Endowed Chair of Coastal Ecology and Conservation and director of the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, delivers his "State of the Bays" talk. This year, the topic is "Watershed of Destiny," and the the talk is a perfect fit for Earthstock, the week long celebration of Earth Day at Stony Brook University, On Long Island, our sole-source aquifer is our drinking water supply, and the primary source of freshwater, nitrogen, and other contaminants to coastal ecosystems. Recent trends in the quality of both groundwater and surface waters on Long Island have been worrisome. Emerging contaminants such as PFAS and 1,4-dioxane are entering drinking water supplies. Nitrogen levels in groundwater have risen by more than 60% in recent decades and...

Orient sits atop a single, thin, freshwater aquifer and is surrounded by beautiful, productive bays and estuaries.  Unfortunately, both our groundwater and our surface waters have been degraded over the past half-century, and both face significant threats going forward.

Water is the lifeblood of this community, so the OA believes it is critical to understand and confront these threats.  We are therefore working on developing a comprehensive plan for remediating and protecting the hamlet’s ground and surface waters.  The plan will cover three areas:

1. Situation assessment
2. Prioritization of actions to be taken
3. Activation (identification of funding and responsible party–Suffolk County Government, NYC DEC, EPA, etc.)

A presentation about the future of Broad Meadows in Orient, NY and proposed restoration of the marsh area to the east of Narrow River Road. Elizabeth Hornstein, State Coordinator for the Peconic Estuary Partnership, will share plans to the Orient Community and answer questions about the future of Broad Meadows.

Peconic Estuary Partnership, Town of Southold and Ducks Unlimited presents on the restoration plans for Broad Meadows Marsh located in Orient, NY, immediately south of Route 25 and east of Narrow River Road. The marsh is currently dominated by the invasive plant Phragmites due to restricted tidal flow. Restoration is needed to improve tidal flow to the marsh and promote the re-establishment of native marsh vegetation. The proposed restoration work will result in improved habitat for wildlife and increase resiliency to rising seas.