November 8^th and 9^th , 1999
Port Jefferson, Long Island

Dr. Henry Bokuniewicz, SUNY-Stony Brook, Marine Sciences Research Center

• geological history of Long Island
• wetlands development on the North and South Shores of Long Island
• impact of sea level rise on developed coastlines

BIOLOGICAL REVIEW OF LONG ISLAND WETLANDS AND WATER RESOURCES.

Dr. William Wise, SUNY-Stony Brook, Living Marine Resources Institute

• history and present-day assessment of wetlands loss on Long Island
• wetlands restoration efforts on Long Island (Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, South Shore Estuaries)
• research into causes of brown tides and lobster mortalities
• need more outreach and education

NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION: STRATEGIES FOR MUNICIPALITIES. R. Steven Nakashima, MSPH, MPA, RS - Special Projects Coordinator; Non-point Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Project; 300 Webster Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801; Tel/FAX: (914)654-9329; E-mail: nakacaen@cloud9.net

Water quality in America has improved over what it was 25 years ago. During that time the focus largely was on point sources of pollution that could be readily identified, monitored and regulated. As a result, the contribution of other, more diffuse sources has gained recognition to the extent that the Number 1 water quality problem is now Non-point Source Pollution.

Runoff from storms picks up pollutants as it washes across the landscape. Individuals concerned with water resource protection in urbanizing areas must confront the adverse effects of this polluted runoff. Land use within a watershed is intrinsically linked with the quality of the receiving waters. To improve water quality one must address land use, which is largely controlled at the local level of government. The decisions taken by local boards and commissions, such as the Planning, Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Conservation, Health and Land Trust, are shaping the landscape of communities for the decades to come.

Impervious surface coverage is a quantifiable land-use indicator that correlates closely with the adverse impacts of polluted runoff. Once the role and distribution of impervious cover are understood, a wide range of strategies to reduce impervious surfaces and their impacts on water resources can be applied to community level planning, site design and land use management. These strategies complement many current trends in planning, zoning, and landscape design that go beyond traditional water pollution concerns to address the quality of life in a community.

The Nonpoint Education of Municipal Officials Project (NEMO) is a research-based education project of the University of Connecticut’s Cooperative Extension System. NEMO provides training for land-use decision makers about prudent land use techniques and natural resources-based planning.

COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO STORMWATER POLLUTION: CASE STUDY FINDINGS WITH EXAMPLES FROM THE NORTHEAST. George Aponte Clarke; Policy Analyst and Stormwater Project Coordinator; Natural Resources Defense Council; 40 West 20^th Street, New York, NY 10011; Phone: (212) 212.727.1773; Fax: (212) 727-1773; E-mail: gaclarke@nrdc.org

Urban stormwater runoff threatens the Nation’s waterways and public health, and cost American’s hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Concerns about urban runoff and interest in proposed new Federal stormwater regulations prompted the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to document existing, effective stormwater strategies. Our report aims to encourage municipal action and empower community to address this critical issue. Information on more than 150 programs across the nation was compiled and evaluated to highlight effective pollution prevention, administrative, and financing strategies for addressing stormwater runoff. The case studies show on a practical level that stormwater management can be environmentally effective, economically advantageous, and politically feasible. The case studies are organized into five broad categories of stormwater management measures that roughly parallel those required in federal regulations: addressing stormwater in new development and redevelopment, promoting public education and participation, controlling construction site runoff, detecting and eliminating improper or illegal connections and discharges, and implementing pollution prevention for municipal operations. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a cross section of the numerous strategies currently being used by municipalities, developers, and civic groups to address stormwater runoff. The presentation highlights one case study in each management category from the Northeast: the Staten Island Blue Belt project, the Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) program, Delaware’s Certified Construction Reviewer program, the Clean Charles 2005 Initiative, and Vermont’s Smart Salting program. The presentation is part of an ongoing outreach effort. NRDC’s goal is to expand the stormwater management knowledge base by sharing these case studies with municipal officials and concerned citizens across the country. Individually, the case studies provide detailed examples of effective tool and approaches used to address stormwater runoff pollution. Collectively, the case studies offer an outline for further successful stormwater management efforts. Elements found to be critical to the effectiveness of the highlighted programs include: a pollution prevention emphasis with structural treatment measures when needed; a focus on preserving and using natural features and processes; efforts that inform and involve the public; a framework that creates and maintains accountability; a dedicated and equitable funding source to ensure long-term viability; strong leadership; and effective administration. Applying these themes will help communities in all settings form a Sound stormwater policy. The case studies also demonstrate that stormwater management does not have to be overwhelming for communities. Thus, they serve as excellent guidance for communities developing or improving their stormwater management programs.

KEY TERMS: urban stormwater runoff; impervious surfaces; pollution prevention; best management practices; diffuse pollution; accountability

USE OF DNA PROFILING TO IDENTIFY SOURCES OF E. COLI BACTERIA. Emerson Hasbrouck, Cornell Cooperative Extension; 246 Griffing Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901-3086. No abstract received.

THE ROLE OF HARBOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSIONS AS ADVOCATES FOR DREDGING FEDERAL NAVIGATION PROJECTS IN CONNECTICUT. Geoffrey Steadman, CT Harbor Management Commissions; 345 North Main Street; Westport, CT 06880; Phone: (203) 226-9383; Fax: (203) 221-0819.

Federally-authorized navigation projects are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in some 30 Connecticut waterways. Included are channels and anchorages authorized by Acts of Congress in the 1800s and early 1900s to serve waterborne commerce. Many changes in harbor uses and conditions have occurred since then; in some areas, waterborne commerce has declined and recreational boating is now most prominent.

The CT Harbor Management Act (HMA) of 1984 (CGS Sec. 22a-113k through Sec. 22a-113t) gives municipalities the authority to establish harbor management commissions (HMCs) and prepare harbor management plans. Those plans address a variety of issues, including dredging, navigation, and resource protection issues. The Norwalk, Fairfield, and Stratford HMCs are charged with serving as municipal advocates for maintenance dredging of the Norwalk Harbor, Southport Harbor, and the Housatonic River Federal navigation projects, respectively, and for working with the Corps and the CT Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) to achieve timely maintenance dredging. These charges are specified in each community's harbor management plan.

The role and experience of the HMCs pursuing Federal dredging is instructive with respect to harbor management and dredging processes and the complex issues now affecting dredging and dredged material disposal in Long Island Sound (LIS). Timely and economical dredging is necessary to maintain the viability of the State's marine-related businesses and industry and to provide public access to the Sound for the many thousands of people who enjoy recreational boating and other activities that depend on safe navigation. At the same time, dredging and dredged material disposal must be carried out in a manner that does not degrade the Sound's vital natural resources and ecological functions.

Information provided by the HMCs to the Corps to advance the Federal dredging process includes information to establish the need for dredging, including the identification of priority dredging areas and detailed information on water-dependent facilities and vessels. In addition, each HMC has documented the importance of its harbor to the community and the management of the harbor in accordance with the Corp's "open to all on equal terms" policy. Also provided is information on oil and chemical spills and points of discharge into the harbor needed to develop dredged material sampling and disposal plans.

In 1999, a Federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for designating a LIS disposal site (or sites) under the Federal Ocean Dumping Act is underway. The outcome of this process may have profound effect on the future dredging of Connecticut harbors.

DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL ISSUES IN LONG ISLAND SOUND. Drew Carey, CoastalVision, Inc.; 215 Evstis Ave., Newport, RI 02840. No abstract received.

NATIONWIDE PERMIT REVISIONS AND REGIONAL CONDITIONS. Roberto Barbosa, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278; Phone: (212)-264-6730. No abstract received.

NY STATE DOT ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES. Kent Edwards and Darrell Kost, NYS DOT; State Office Building; Hauppauge, NY 11788; Phone: (631) 952-6652; Fax: (631) 952-6681; E-mail: dkost@gw.dot.state.ny.us or kedwards@gw.dot.state.ny.us.

The New York State Department of Transportation's (NYSDOT) Environmental Initiative is a paradigm shift involving the proactive commitment of DOTs organizational beliefs and strengths to make an affirmative contribution to the environment.

As with most DOTs, strict regulatory compliance had long been a part of the culture at NYSDOT. While this reactive approach did reduce unnecessary environmental damage, it was clearly never going to address some of the root causes of the traditionally contentious transportation/environment dynamic.

The breakthrough came with a look beyond mitigation. By proactively constructing environmental enhancements as an inexpensive, routine part of normal work, we at NYSDOT have brought our culture into alignment with our personal beliefs. This, in turn, has redefined our relationship with the environmental community. As these groups have become partners instead of policemen, approval times have improved, better projects are being built faster, mitigation costs are down, and staff from both sides have a new sense of teamwork and pride.

Bottom line: "It's OK to be green." DOTs can easily do more than just "fix what we break." An environmental ethic is not just the right thing for a public agency to do, it is a smarter way to do business.

UPDATE ON FEDERAL AND NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION. John Atkin, President; Save the Sound, Inc.; 185 Magee Avenue; Stamford, CT 06902-5906; Phone: (203) 327-9786; Fax: (203) 967-2677; E-mail: savethesound@snet.net

Federal Legislation:

• Estuary Habitat Restoration Partnership Act of 1999, S.835 -- Chafee (RI)--Companion Bill, H.R. 1775 Gilchrest (MD): This bill will help restore estuary habitat through project financing and coordination of Federal and non-Federal restoration programs. Save the Sound has worked to pass this bill for the past two years through its membership in the national group Restore America's Estuaries (RAE). We mourn the passing of Senator Chafee, the Bill's sponsor, and look forward to moving the Bill forward with a new champion, possibly Senator Warner of Virginia. This bill has considerable support in the Senate and House, and would greatly enhance restoration efforts in Long Island Sound. Senator Bob Smith of New Hampshire is the new Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. He will replace Senator Chafee who has a lifetime League of Conservation Voters (LCV) score of 70 percent. In contrast, Smith's lifetime LCV score is only 13 percent.
• DeLauro-Lowey Water Pollution Control and Estuary Protection Act, H.R. 1096 --Lowey (NY): Would provide $4 billion a year for estuaries in the National Estuary Program (NEP) with approved Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans (CCMPs).
• Wetlands Mitigation Banking Bill, H.R. 1290 -- Jones (NC): Widely opposed by environmentalists around the nation.
• Natural Resources Reinvestment Act of 1999, S. 1573 -- Lieberman (CT): Provides for the distribution of $2.5 billion in Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenue (from oil and gas leases) for the permanent funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Includes a "Save Our Wetlands Program" which would amend Title III of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide funds for open space acquisition to protect watersheds and water quality.
• Recent Wetland Acquisitions: In June, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, chaired by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, approved $10.5 million in grants for 17 wetlands conservation projects in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has also approved the creation of a National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Indian that will eventually result in the protection of 30,000 acres of wetlands. In August, NOAA designated the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Mississippi. This reserve protects 18,000 acres of tidal marsh, and coastal swamp habitat.
• Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Materials--San Francisco, CA: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have signed an agreement that forms a 50-year management strategy for dredged materials. Under this "Long Term Management Strategy", 40 percent of dredged material will be used for wetland restoration, among other things.
• Stormwater Phase II Rule Released, October 29, 1999: The U.S. EPA released stormwater regulations for small municipal separate stormwater and sewer systems which serve populations under 100,000 in "urbanized areas". These regulations also apply to construction activities disturbing five or less acres. The rule will be published in the Federal Register in mid-November, and will take effect 60 days later. The first round of permits will take effect in 3 years.

New York State Legislation:

• A01153, A Bill to increase fines for violations of the freshwater wetland law. Grannis (D-NYC) Increases the maximum civil penalties for violations of the Freshwater Wetlands Act from $3000 to $10,000, and increases the maximum criminal fines to $5,000 fro a first offense and $10,000 for a subsequent offense.
• A01346, A bill prohibiting the granting of tidal wetlands permits for regulated activities where such activities would impact or prevent public access or use of public lands. Thiele (R-Suffolk) An attempt to prevent private property owners from protecting themselves from the inevitable impacts of erosion at the expense of public access.
• A03184, A bill authorizing the transfer of lands of Stewart International airport from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Calhoun (R - New Windsor) Land consists of 6200 acres comprising wetlands, woods, and fields.
• A03424, A bill providing that five hundred dollars, or twenty-five percent of the amount collected from fines and civil penalties imposed, which ever is less, for unlawful dumping of soil, stones, sand, gravel, mud, rubbish or fill in freshwater or tidal wetlands be offered as a reward to the individual who, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, provided information leading to the collection of such fine or penalty. Connelly (D-Staten Isl.)
• A05690, A bill to regulate application of pesticides to tidal wetlands. Englebright (D-Setauket) Requires the use of an integrated pest management program.
• A06369, Wetland mitigation bill. Schimminger (D - Kenmore) Provides for the creation, maintenance and regulation of freshwater and tidal wetlands mitigation banks, to provide compensatory mitigation in advance of authorized impacts.
• A08896, A bill to provide that the Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation may purchase land to mitigate the negative impacts on wetlands in the jurisdiction of such entities. Vann (D - Brooklyn)

NY STATE DEC WETLAND PERMITTING PROGRAM REVIEW. Arthur Newell, NYS DEC; 205 N. Belle Mead Rd., E. Setauker, NY 11733; Phone: (516) 444-0430; Fax: (516) 444-0434; E-mail: ajnewell@gw.dec.state.ny.us. No abstract received.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT IN NEW YORK STATE. Peter Lehner, Environmental Protection Bureau Chief; New York State Office of the Attorney General. No abstract received. See summary of comments in Winter 2000 New York State Wetlands Forum newsletter.

GENERAL SESSION 3:
WETLANDS RESTORATION AND CREATION TECHNOLOGY

TREATMENT WETLANDS FOR REMEDIATION. Thomas Ferraro (Presenting Author); Ecology and Environment, Inc.; Corporate Headquarters; 368 Pleasant View Drive; Lancaster, NY 14086; E-mail: tferraro@ene.com and Agnieszka Rawa; Ecology and Environment, Inc.; 1700 N. Moore Street; Rosslyn Center, Suite 1610; Arlington, VA 22209; E-mail: arawa@ene.com.

Wetlands have all of the basic elements needed for attenuation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, including high organic carbon in the sediment to bind contaminants; high microbial density and diversity in the sediment to biodegrade contaminants; and both aerobic and anaerobic conditions to ensure the contaminants are fully degraded without the accumulation of potentially toxic intermediates such as vinyl chloride. Treatment wetlands are constructed wetlands that are designed to enhance natural biogeochemical processes to degrade organic compounds. The presentation will focus on the use of treatment wetlands for remediation of groundwater and surface water contaminated with organic compounds. Specifically, Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E & E) will describe how natural physical, and biochemical processes in wetlands can be used to degrade organic contaminants as well as to reduce metal contaminants. E & E will illustrate the application of treatment wetlands to organic contamination by describing an ongoing pilot study at a site in Michigan. The goal of the study is to determine whether chlorinated organic compounds can be effectively degraded by treatment wetlands. Although wetlands have been used for remediation of metals, petroleum compounds, landfill leachate, and municipal and industrial wastewater, this is the first instance that a treatment wetland is being used for remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons.

GEOSYNTHETIC CLAY LINER DESIGNS IN WETLAND APPLICATIONS. Joseph Carmo, Carmo Environmental Systems, Inc.; 1866 Maurice Avenue; East Meadow, NY 11554; Phone: (516) 794-7904; Fax: (516) 794-5122; E-mail: josephcarmo@compuserve.com.

Sodium bentonite has been used for decades as a soil-admix for compacted clay liners in wastewater treatment ponds and landfills. The recent development of the geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) has simplified installation and expanded applications. GCLs are pre-fabricated liners of sodium bentonite bonded between two geotextiles. This paper will review three projects where GCLs were used as a liner to create wetlands in difficult conditions (New Jersey DOT I-287 Project; Marathon Battery NPL Site; and Westchester County Airport).

When the I-287 extension in New Jersey was designed through Federally-designated wetlands, the NJ DOT identified a 32-acre parcel for wetlands mitigation. Above-normal precipitation after the beginning of construction caused the water table to rise into many of the excavated areas of the site. The contractor was unable to dewater such a large area to install a compacted clay liner. A needle-punched GCL was proposed and accepted as a substitute for the compacted clay liner. Despite difficult conditions, the GCL was successfully installed over an 18 month period.

Marathon Battery is a Superfund site in upstate NY where a manufacturing plant discharged cadmium waste into Foundry Cove and the Hudson River. The site was divided into three areas, one of the areas being a 5-acre marsh. Remedial action called for removal of contaminated soil and restoration of the marsh. Due to the low strength of underlying marsh soils, a compacted clay liner was deemed infeasible. Instead, an alternative design with a needle-punched GCL underlain with a geogrid was chosen. The contractor waited until the winter freeze before installing the liner. The GCLs ability to be installed in freezing weather was critical to the success of the project.

Westchester County Airport needed to divert a stream as part of an expansion. The project used a polyethylene-laminated GCL to line the new length of the waterway. The liner was covered with 2 feet of soil and planted to restore a natural setting.

Key Words: geosynthetic clay liners, GCLs, bentonite, liners, wetlands

BIOENGINEERING APPLICATIONS FOR WETLAND CREATION AND RESTORATION. Gary L. Gentile, Senior Landscape Architect; New York State Department of Transportation, Region 10; 250 Veteran Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788; Phone: (516)952-6219; Fax: (516)952-6936; E-mail: ggentile@gw.dot.state.ny.us.

The New York State Department of Transportation on Long Island has had the opportunity to use bioengineering methods on numerous projects as mitigation, creation and restoration for both tidal and freshwater wetlands. As the water quality issues impact the sole source aquifer on Long Island, the Department has looked at better ways to treat highway runoff and erosion control issues. It has been effective with the Department issuing guidelines for applications and the regions developing details for site specific use.

Within Region 10 on Long Island we have developed specifications and pay items for the use of biologs, coconut fiber mats, GRES (Geotextile Reinforced Earth System) walls in tidal wetlands, biofiltration recharge and detention basins, ecological recharge basins, and the topic of this talk: bioengineering for tidal slope stabilization and restoration. On Fire Island, along the Ocean State Parkway, there are numerous areas where either the bay or the ocean wants to reconnect old inlet locations. It was the Departments responsibility to come up with a solution to preserve the eroding slope that were within twenty feet of the roadway, acceptable to NYSDEC, and somewhat maintenance free. The solutions ranged from the usual broken concrete, stone, geotextile mats, erosion blankets, jute mesh and whatever else was available on the market.

Having just finished a tidal wetland project with geotextiles, bio-logs, the Landscape staff felt that we had an opportunity to try both the new and the old ways at slope stabilization. The details were discussed with the engineers, landscape architects and environmental staff to analyze the costs, long-term benefits, materials past experience, and the ability to access the site. The solution was to do two sites one with the stone/geotextile treatment, and the second site a combination of geotextile slope mat, biologs, toe of slope protection, tidal wetland plants, intertidal plants and upland plants. Both project sites were started in the early spring and finished in the early summer with the slope plantings on the bio-engineered site . Both sites endured storm tides, strong winds, extremely high tides and other abuses that normally erode the shorelines at water’s edge.

Our Regional staff and Main Office staff will monitor the slope treatments success and/or weaknesses over the next couple years to see if this will become a standard treatment.

NATIVE PLANTS FOR LONG ISLAND WETLAND CREATION AND RESTORATION PROJECTS. Ellen Talmage; H.R. Talmage & Son/Talmage Farms Nursery; 2975 Sound Avenue; Riverhead, NY 11901-9879; Phone: (631) 727-0124; Fax: (631) 727-0326; E-mail: talmage@I-2000.com

What is a native plant? Horticulturists have very different points of view on this matter. However, everyone agrees that the plants best suited for tough growing situations are native or naturalized plants. Why experiment with conventional garden plants when they can waste a lot of time and money. Select from the native plants at our nursery because they are adapted to surviving in the challenging sites of your landscape.

Simplified Definitions:

• Native Plants - are those that were found in nature before European settlers came to the Americas.
• Alien Plants - are species whose presence causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm.
• Naturalized Plants - are those brought over by settlers either purposely or inadvertently through trade that have adapted to a new environment.
• Invasive Plants - are those with aggressive growth habits that take over and crowd out other plant species needed for a healthy balanced ecosystem.

President Clinton has signed a bill that will affect the nursery industry. On Feb 3, 1999, an Executive Order on Invasive Species was signed that directs federal agencies to expand and coordinate efforts to control the introduction and spread of invasive plants. The (EBISC) Executive Branch Invasive Species Council has been formed to oversee the implementation of this Executive Order. No federal monies will be used to fund projects that use invasive plants. This trend will most likely trickle down to state and county funding, so PLEASE start using alternatives to the plants listed below.

Problem plants that are particularly widespread on Long Island, NY

• Acer platanoides Norway Maple
• Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard
• Ampelopsis brevipedunculata Porcelain-Berry
• Berberis thunbergii Japanese Barberry
• Celastrus orbiculatus Oriental Bittersweet
• Centaurea maculosa Spotted or bushy Knapweed
• Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian Olive
• Elaeagnus umbellata Autumn Olive
• Lonicera japonica Japanese Honeysuckle
• Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife
• Microstegium vimineum Japanese Stilt Grass
• Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian Water Milfoil
• Phragmites australis Common Reed Grass
• Polygonum cuspidatum Japanese Knotweed
• Potamogeton crispus Curly Pondweed
• Rhamnus frangula Smooth Buckthorn
• Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust

Although some of these plants may not present problems in every part of the state, each is a major problem somewhere and therefore a potential hazard. I am involved in the production of an exciting brochure created by the Ad Hoc Group for Invasive Plant Management in New York State. This brochure will offer suggestions for alternatives to invasives in NY State. Please call or send Talmage Farm your address, and we will be happy to send you a copy.

Native Plants Available at Talmage Farms:

Plants for Seaside Areas

• Ammophila brevigulata "Cape' Cape American Beachgrass
• Andropogon scoparium Little Bluestem
• Andropogon virginicus Broom Sedge
• Arctostaphyllos spp. Bearberry
• Baccharis halimifolia Groundsel Bush
• Chasmanthium latifolium Northern Sea Oats
• Iva frutescens Marsh Elder
• Lathyrus maritimus Beach Pea
• Myrica pennsylvanica Northern Bayberry
• Opuntia humifusa Prickly Pear
• Panicum virgatum Switch Grass
• Prunus maritima Beach Plum
• Rosa carolina Pasture Rose
• Rosa rugosa Rugosa Rose
• Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem
• Solidago sempervirens Seaside Goldenrod
• Spartina alterniflora Smooth Cordgrass
• Spartina patens Salt Hay

Plants for Fresh Water Areas

• Acorus calamus Sweet Flag
• Asclepias incarnata Butterfly Weed
• Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold
• Hibiscus palustris Swamp Rose
• Iris versicolor Blue Flag Iris
• Juncus effusus Soft Rush
• Lobelia cardinalis Red Cardinal Flower
• Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern
• Verbena hastata Blue Vervain

Plants for Wildlife

• Arctostaphyllos spp. Bearberry
• Asclepias incarnata Butterfly Weed
• Aster spp. Various Aster
• Juniperus virginiana Red Cedar
• Lobelia cardinalis Red Cardinal Flower
• Lupinus perennis Lupine
• Myrica pennsylvanica Northern Bayberry
• Panicum virgatum Switch Grass
• Prunus maritima Beach Plum
• Pycnanthemum pilosum Mountain Mint
• Rosa virginiana Virginia Rose
• Solidago sempervirens Seaside Goldenrod
• Spartina alterniflora Smooth Cordgrass
• Spartina patens Salt Hay
• Vaccinium angustifolium Lowbush Blueberry

NY CLEAN WATER/CLEAN AIR BOND ACT. Karen Chytalo, NYS DEC; 205 N. Belle Mead Rd., E. Setauker, NY 11733; Phone: (516) 444-0430. No abstract received.

THE JAMAICA BAY DAMAGES ACCOUNT: MITIGATION FOR NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGES IN NEW YORK CITY. Jodi McDonald; NYSDEC; 47-40 21^st Street; Long Island City, NY 11101; Phone: (718) 482-4064; Fax: (718) 482-4502; E-mail: jmmcdona@gw.dec.state.ny.us

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is charged with protection of the state’s natural resources. Its objectives include the acquisition and preservation of natural areas and their management for conservation and suitable multiple uses throughout New York State.

The Jamaica Bay Damages Account (JBDA) is a fund administered by the NYSDEC for the purpose of "restoring, replacing, or acquiring the equivalent of any natural resources determined to have been injured, destroyed, or lost as a result of the release of hazardous substances" from five municipal landfills owned and operated by New York City. Three of the landfills, Edgemere, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Fountain Avenue are located along the shoreline of Jamaica Bay. One landfill, Brookville Avenue, is in Staten Island (at Richmond Creek), and one, Pelham Bay Landfill, is in the Bronx (Pelham Bay Park). Vast amounts of wetlands and other habitats were destroyed with the creation and use of the landfills. The creation and enhancement of existing habitats to offset the significant loss of natural resources is a major function of this program.

NYSDEC employs multiple funding strategies to best utilize JBDA monies. These techniques include using JBDA as a standalone source of funds, partnering with other governmental agencies, and leveraging JBDA dollars to solicit grant funding from Federal and State sources. JBDA fully funded the acquisition and restoration of the Norton Basin Natural Resource Area, which included tidal wetland, maritime grassland, and dune restoration. Where other departments have compatible restoration goals, partnering with Federal, State, and Local agencies can achieve multiple programmatic goals. JBDA has also committed $215,000 as match for $630,000 in grants from various funding sources to restore 3 acres of tidal wetlands. These strategies help to augment the size and number of projects that can be conducted and will increase the longevity of this program. There are many opportunities for tidal wetland restoration in New York City and NYSDEC, through the JBDA program, is contributing to the ongoing recovery of the natural resources of New York City.

LONG ISLAND WETLAND RESTORATION INITIATIVE. Mark Maghini; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; P.O. Box 21, Shirley, NY 11679; Phone: (516) 286-0485. No abstract received.

GETTING THE WORK DONE – PARTNERSHIPS FOR RESTORATION. Lisa Holst, NYS DEC; 205 N. Belle Mead Rd., E. Setauker, NY 11733; Phone: (516) 444-0430. No abstract received.

RESTORATION OF THE BRONX RIVER. Nancy Wallace and Robert Gans, Bronx River Restoration, Inc.; 2530 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468; Phone: (718) 933-4079. No abstract received.

RESTORATION OF FORMER DREDGE SPOIL SITES. Chris Pickerell, Cornell Cooperative Extension; 246 Griffing Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901-3086; Phone: (631) 852-8660; Fax: (631) 852-8662; E-mail: cp26@cornell.edu. No abstract received.

MANHASSETT BAY WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN. Jennifer Wilson-Pines, Manhasset Bay Protection Committee; c/o Town of North Hempstead, PO Box 3000, Mahasset, NY 11030; Phone: (516) 767-3454.

The Manhasset Bay Protection Committee was formed with an inter-municipal agreement of cooperation between the eleven villages adjacent to the Bay, the Town of North Hempstead and Nassau County. The Committee’s initial goal was to produce a Water Quality Improvement Plan with recognition that non-point source pollution problems cross municipal boundaries. An inter-municipal organization can take a more global view of a region and is a more desirable umbrella for funding projects.

Through a public participation process the Committee identified water quality goals for the Plan to address. They are: swimming, fishing, wetlands and habitat restoration and marine economic and recreational uses. The Plan identified twelve capital projects within the watershed. They are the "point sources" affecting the water quality of the Bay. Most of these areas also contain fresh or tidal wetlands. The estimated total funding for all the projects is between 9 and 12 million dollars. The projects are prioritized into three tiers. The 1^st level projects are:

• Baxter Pond Water - quality improvement and fresh water wetlands creation.
• Sheets Creek Complex - wetland and upland restoration and water quality improvement.
• Lower Manhasset Bay - marsh restoration and dredging.
• Mitchell Creek - wetland preservation.

Some of the projects are already in planning or construction phases.

In addition to the capital projects, the Plan identifies upland controls of non-point source pollutants (bacteria, nitrogen, sediment and litter/debris) through updated, coordinated and enforced ordinances, public education and participation and developing best management practices.