MEDIA ADVISORY
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan will be holding a press conference on Thursday, June 29, at 2 p.m. in Mattituck, Suffolk County, to make an important announcement about a new public access site to the Long Island Sound starting this holiday weekend.
Commissioner Sheehan will be joined by Town of Southold officials; representatives from outdoors organizations and other community groups; members of DEC’s Marine Enforcement Unit; among others.
The event will be held at DEC property located on Naugles Road along Mattituck Creek Inlet, Mattituck, Town of Southold. It is the site of the former Petersen’s Marina.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Contact: Maureen Wren (518) 402-8000
06-97a
Directions: Long Island Expressway Exit 71, north on Edwards Avenue to Sound Avenue, east on Sound Avenue to Cox Neck Road (Co. Rt. 84) in Mattituck. Left onto Cox Neck Road. (This turn is immediately before the road divides into Middle Road (Co. Rt. 48) and Sound Avenue.) Cox Neck Road north to West Mill Road (continuing as Co. Rt. 84) to Naugles Road. Left onto Naugles Road. Boat launch is on north side of Naugles Road.
raregroove
06-28-2006, 10:32 PM
Thank God!
We don't have nearly enough access on the North Shore. Please keep updates coming Rich.
Temporary Launch in Mattituck to Open July 1, 2006; More Improvements To Follow
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced the opening of a new boat launch facility in Mattituck, Suffolk County, just in time for the upcoming holiday weekend.
“New York State purchased this parcel specifically to enhance access to one of our most ecologically, recreationally, and economically important water bodies,” Commissioner Sheehan said. “With today’s announcement, we have taken an important first step in transforming this former marina into a place where anglers, kayakers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy all that the Long Island Sound has to offer.”
The property was operated as Petersen’s Marina until it was acquired by the State in November 2005 for $2.25 million from the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The 3.5-acre parcel has 635 feet of frontage on the west side of Mattituck Creek Inlet, just south of the Long Island Sound, in the Town of Southold. With the State’s purchase of the parcel, it has permanently protected this significant waterfront access parcel from development.
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said, “I am grateful for New York State’s ongoing commitment to the Town’s effort at maintaining the vital role of our maritime industry. Boaters, fishermen and all who cherish our surrounding waters will benefit from this ongoing commitment. Further, the fragile environment in this area is being protected for future generations. On behalf of the people of Southold Town, I am deeply grateful.”
As part of Governor Pataki’s commitment to increasing access to Long Island Sound, the Petersen parcel is the latest in DEC’s assemblage of five parcels along the western shore of Mattituck Creek. In 2001, DEC acquired a five-acre parcel; in 2002 DEC acquired two parcels, 4.8 acres and 1.7 acres; and in 2004, DEC acquired a .6-acre parcel.
DEC staff have been working rapidly to prepare the facility so that New Yorkers could avail themselves of the launch site for the 2006 boating season. Starting July 1, 2006, there will be a temporary boat launch ramp and parking for approximately 20 vehicles with trailers.
In coming months, DEC will be implementing additional habitat, recreational and operational improvements at the facility. The 2006-07 State Budget approved by Governor Pataki included $500,000 for projects that include: establishing a permanent boat slip and a kayak launching area; developing a kayak trail in Mattituck creek; parking for up to 60 trailers and additional vehicles; removing a derelict barge; removal of bulkheading and planting a tidal wetland habitat in its place; and interpretive signage.
The Long Island Sound is an estuary approximately 110 miles long (east to west), and 21 miles across its widest point. It is located in one of the most densely populated areas in the United States, particularly among the Nation’s coastal areas. The Sound’s valuable recreational and commercial uses make it one of the most important estuaries in the nation. Public boating access to Long Island Sound is very limited in the more than 50-mile stretch between Mt. Sinai Harbor in the Town of Brookhaven and Orient Point - the eastern most point on Long Island’s North Fork. Governor Pataki and DEC have been working with municipalities and private landowners to increase public access to the Sound.
The Commissioner kicked off the opening of the Mattituck facility by holding an inaugural launch of one of DEC’s Marine Enforcement Unit (MEU) boats. The MEU is responsible for protecting the state’s marine resources by enforcing state and federal laws and regulations concerning habitat preservation and the recreational and commercial harvesting of fish, shellfish, and crustacea.
“Our Marine Enforcement Unit serves as the agency’s eyes and ears on our marine waters,” Commissioner Sheehan said. “This holiday weekend, we encourage boaters and others who will be heading out on the Long Island Sound to follow the important rules and regulations to make your trip safe and enjoyable.”
In order to reduce impacts of boating and other recreational activities on New York’s marine ecosystems, DEC encourages the use of clean boating practices to help reduce pollution and other hazards. This includes using pumpout stations, and removing aquatic plants and other hitchhikers by washing your boat and allowing it to dry thoroughly before entering another waterway. The full list of tips can be found at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ppu/p2boats.html on the DEC website.
During today’s event, the Commissioner also announced that the State has acquired approximately 2 acres of environmentally sensitive tidal wetlands in Oakdale, Town of Islip, Nassau County. DEC acquired the parcel from Oakdale Sewerage Disposal Corporation for $425,000 with funds from the EPF. The parcel is an important inholding within, and has now been added to, the 125-acre Benton Bay/Ludlow’s Creek State Tidal Wetland. Prior to the State’s purchase, the Benton Bay parcels were slated for residential development, but will now be permanently preserved tidal marsh as part of the South Shore Estuary Reserve.
Today’s announcement of increasing public access to the Long Island Sound and preservation of South Shore tidal wetlands marks the beginning of National Clean Beaches Week. Between June 29 and July 5, 2006, Clean Beaches Week will highlight the importance of beaches, including their environmental significance. Each year, approximately 180 million Americans make 2 billion visits to ocean, gulf and inland beaches.
States and municipalities throughout the nation will partner together for a variety of events including beach cleanups, litter prevention campaigns, dune planting/habitat protection, beautification of beaches, seafood festivals and coastal recreation competitions/activities. The events culminate with a national beach cleanup on July 5th. For more information, go to http://www.cleanbeaches.org/ .
Here are some pics of the ramp
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