Bellone Proposes $92K Water Quality Protection Project For Hook Pond

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone recently announced his proposal for a $92,000 water quality protection project for Hook Pond.

The project would protect the pond from stormwater runoff and enhance water quality in the area, according to Bellone.

The project would be a partnership between Suffolk County and the East Hampton Village and will require an intermunicipal agreement in order to move forward.

“Working with the Village of East Hampton on this water quality project is another step to reclaiming our water not only in the village, but in the surrounding communities,” Bellone said. “Stormwater runoff is a leading culprit to the impaired water quality in the vicinity of Hook Pond, and we must continue to be proactive in order to better control the runoff and ultimately protect our environment.”

According to Bellone, water quality in Hook Pond has been degraded because the Village Green lawn area receives a large amount of stormwater runoff from local roads, including Montauk Highway, Route 114 and the Main Street areas.

The runoff from the Village Green overflows into Town Pond, which is connected by a culver to a feeder stream of Hook Pond.

“When it rains pollutants from roads and lawn chemicals find their way into storm drains which lead into Hook Pond,” Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman said. “This important project uses natural processes to remove containments before entering Hook Pond.”

In order to protect water quality in Hook Pond, the project would excavate almost a quarter acre of land at Village Green to a depth of 12 to 18 inches and be replanted with turf grass in order to create micropools during wet and inclement weather.

“We applaud the partnership of Suffolk County under the leadership of County Executive Steve Bellone and the County Legislature in the implementation of our Hook Pond Water Quality Improvement Project – specifically the introduction of legislation at the County level with the potential of protecting Hook Pond from stormwater runoff which will enhance water quality within that water body,” East Hampton Village Mayor Paul Rickenbach said.

The project would comply with all regulations, and will be designed with the guidance of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Stormwater Management Manual, according to Bellone.

Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Schneiderman previously requested funding for a project that will allow East Hampton Village to accomplish stormwater remediation in the Hook Pond watershed.

In addition, the Village adopted a resolution at a recent board meeting to accept a potential grant from Suffolk County.

The project will be paid for utilizing more than $46,000 from the 477 Water Quality Protection Fund and from matching funds provided by the Village.

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