Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP) Bulletin

January 2017

Visit the LINAP webpage for more information about the LINAP, past newsletters, documents, and more.

This Month’s Updates:

• Advisory Workgroups
• Nassau County Subwatershed Planning
• South Shore Estuary Reserve Eastern Bays Report

LINAP Advisory Workgroups

Advisory workgroups are being established to provide input and support in the development and implementation of LINAP. To date, the following LINAP advisory workgroups have been established:

• Fertilizer Management
• Bio-Extraction
• Data Collection and Analysis (underway in Suffolk County)

The Fertilizer Management Workgroup commenced on December 13, 2016 with representatives from landscape and grounds, agricultural, and golf course industry associations; fertilizer manufacturers; industry advisory organizations; governmental agencies; environmental advocacy organizations; and academia. The group will evaluate existing strategies, recommend modifications and enhancements, and identify actions to further reduce nitrogen pollution from fertilizer use. Meeting summaries will be posted on the LINAP Fertilizer Management Workgroup webpage.

The Bio-Extraction Workgroup will explore the feasibility and efficacy of bio-extraction in Long Island’s three estuaries and the marine waters of Westchester County and New York City. The group will assist in formulating a scope of work for a detailed investigation and possible pilot farm. The first workgroup meeting will be held soon.

The Data Collection and Analysis Workgroup is underway in Suffolk County and will continue to provide input and support throughout the County’s Subwatersheds Wastewater Planning initiative. A draft plan is expected in summer 2017.

Nassau County Subwatershed Planning

Subwatershed planning is underway in Nassau County, spearheaded by Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences in partnership with the County, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Long Island Regional Planning Council. A kickoff meeting was held on December 6, 2016 with plans for: a nitrogen load model to understand the quantity and sources of nitrogen, hydrodynamic models to understand the movement of surface and ground waters, the identification of priority subwatersheds, and nitrogen load reduction strategies for wastewater, fertilizer, and stormwater.

South Shore Estuary Reserve Eastern Bays Report

The Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Eastern Bays Project: Nitrogen Loading, Sources and Management Options report, authored by Dr. Christopher J. Gobler at Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, and funded through the South Shore Estuary Reserve (Reserve), was released on December 21, 2016. The report is available on the Reserve webpage.