Public Private Partnership Saves Stony Brook Creek

Stony Brook Creek, derived from its Native American name, WOPOWOG “Brook Ladened with Stones”, is now threatened by silt buildup and invasive species.

Government, the private sector and not for profits collaboratively are working together to respond to this serious environmental challenge.

Phragmites Removal: Phragmites, an invasive species is choking many waterways on Long Island. The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) received a grant from the County of Suffolk for a pilot program to remove 12,000 square feet of this species along Stony Brook Creek. This first of its kind new innovative process uses no chemicals and no mechanical equipment. It is removed by a hand cutting process. It was tested in a small area and the results are positive, with very limited regrowth.

The total cost of the project is $21,500.00. The County of Suffolk is providing one-half of the funding from the ¼% Sales Tax Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program (WQPRP). The other 50% will be provided by two not-for-profit organizations, WMHO and Avalon Park & Preserve, each of which has long-standing commitments to the preservation of the Stony Brook area. Because this is a unique procedure, there was a two-year approval process that is now coming to fruition. Efforts must start in early August before Phragmite seeds pollinate.

The project has wide-spread support from the corporate community. Over 25 employees of Lessings, Inc. and People’s United Bank, two Long Island-based corporations who believe in supporting environmental enhancement and conservation projects, helped to remove pilings that floated into the waterway and logs from fallen trees to stop further buildup of silt on Tuesday, August 10.