Friends of the Bay - Working to keep the oyster in Oyster Bay.

Friends of the Bay's mission, "to preserve, protect and restore the ecological integrity and productivity of the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary and the surrounding watershed" has never been more important or more timely.

These areas have been facing increasing challenges in recent years. Polluted stormwater and illegal dumping threaten water quality, development pressure is reducing the amount of open space and increasing impervious surfaces in the watershed, and man-made dams and culverts inhibit fish passage along streams.

A 2003 report by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation report highlighted urban runoff as the dominant source of pathogens to the estuary complex. In 2005, the Defenders of Wildlife named the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge as one of the ten most endangered refuges in the country. The report explains that the refuge has become threatened by polluted stormwater runoff, habitat destruction, non-sustainable development, and human sewage associated with failing sewer infrastructure and inadequate on-site septic systems.

Through environmental education and community outreach, Friends of the Bay fosters local awareness of the need to preserve water quality and marine life. Friends of the Bay's newly completed State of the Watershed Report summarizes existing environmental and land use conditions in the watershed. The report provides a baseline assessment of watershed conditions, which will be updated periodically to evaluate changes in the watershed and help direct watershed planning.

The State of the Watershed Report will serve as the basis for the development of a Watershed Action Plan, which will identify prioritized action items to protect and improve the ecological integrity of the estuary and the surrounding watershed. Friends of the Bay will form a steering committee to reach consensus on the specific goals and objectives of the Watershed Action Plan.

The Watershed Action Plan for the harbor complex will be developed to be consistent with Environmental Protection Agency and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation guidance for the development of watershed-based plans, which includes nine key elements that establish the structure of the plan. These nine elements include specific goals, objectives, and strategies to protect and restore water quality, methods to build and strengthen working partnerships, a dual focus on addressing existing problems and preventing new ones; a strategy for implementing the plan; and a feedback loop to evaluate progress and revise the plan as necessary.

HISTORY

Friends of the Bay was formed in 1987 by a small group of citizens who were concerned about the impact of proposed development on the Oyster Bay waterfront.

After defeating the environmentally destructive proposal, Friends of the Bay led an extraordinary public process that resulted in the "Land Use Plan for the Oyster Bay Western Waterfront".  

Since our founding, we have grown into a powerful voice representing approximately 3000 members. In 1997, we received the prestigious Walter B. Jones Memorial and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Excellence Award for Coastal and Resource Management as the "Non-Governmental Organization of the Year".  In March of 2009, Friends of the Bay's Water Quality Monitoring Program was awarded an Environmental Quality Award by the Environmental Protection Agency.  

Today, Friends of the Bay conducts water quality monitoring in Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor, sponsors community events on the water and beach and works with citizens and local government for wetland restoration and habitat protection.  

For further information, visit any of the pages on this site, or email us to sign up for online newsletter, Currents. To send us e-mail, click here.  You may also find us on Facebook!