DEC Unveils Plans For New HQ In Nissequogue River State Park

NISSEQUOGUE RIVER STATE PARK, NY - The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) revealed plans to construct a 25,000-square-foot headquarters at Nissequogue River State Park.

At a public meeting on Thursday the DEC gave the over 100 attendees details regarding the new proposed building which would serve as a headquarters for DEC's Division of Marine Resources.

The building would house DEC's bureaus of Marine Fisheries, Marine Habitat, Shellfisheries, and Oceans Program, in addition to the Marine Enforcement Unit, and include additional year-round law enforcement presence at the park.

According to the DEC, the proposed building will be equipped with New York's only FDA-certified shellfish laboratory, which will assist in maintaining the State's 1.3 million acres of shellfish harvest area.

The new facility is also projected to deliver economic benefits to the local community, including increased local business through permanent staff and regular public meetings.

The Marine Resources project, funded through NY Works, is expected to take a total of three years to complete.

Construction is expected to begin in 2018. The three phases of park improvements are funded through an appropriation secured by Senator John Flanagan.

"DEC's Division of Marine Resources has a critically important mission, managing, regulating, and protecting all of the State's marine resources, which encompasses all of Long Island, New York City, Westchester coastal areas, and the tidal sections of the Hudson River up to the newly christened Mario Cuomo Bridge," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "The proposed new building at Nissequogue River State Park will dramatically improve the division's efforts and give our staff water access, while also benefiting visitors to the park and the local community."

In addition, at the meeting, State Parks provided an update on its three phases of revitalization efforts at the park, including what has been completed to date and new projects scheduled to begin this fall.

This fall officials will begin several projects at Nissequogue River State Park to make safety improvements and introduce recreational upgrades.

These projects include:

• Full replacement of the outdated water distribution system, which includes brand new water lines and fire hydrants throughout the entire park complex;
• Demolition of 4 additional buildings;
• Design and construction of a brand new Nissequogue River State Park Marina. The current marinas, North and South, will be demolished with both areas returned to their natural wetlands. The new Marina will be relocated nearby and will provide more direct access to the Long Island Sound and avoids shallow sections currently plaguing boaters. The New Marina will feature new docks that will increase the amount of boat slips from 120 to 144, utilities, reinforced bulkheads, improved parking strictly for boaters, enhanced lighting, a new comfort station and pump out station; and
• The old administration building on site which currently houses the park office will receive a new and more energy efficient HVAC system.

"The state's Division of Marine Resources plays a fundamental role in the conservation, preservation, and protection of vital natural resources," Senator Tom O'Mara, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee said. "The division's new headquarters at Nissequogue River State Park will enhance and strengthen this critically important work."

Those who were unable to attend the two public meetings can still provide comment until November 30.

Comments can be submitted by email to FW.Marine@dec.ny.gov or by mail to Stephanie Rekemeyer, NYSDEC, 205 Belle Mead Road, Suite #1, East Setauket, New York 11733.

What do you think? Do you approve of the new headquarters? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo courtesy of the DEC

Check out additional renderings of the proposed headquarters here.