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

As an environmental watchdog organization, we closely follow all issues that could adversely affect the Oyster Bay - Cold Spring Harbor estuary.

However, we are not just whistle blowers. We actively monitor the health of our waterways through our Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring (VWQM) program. And when we find problems, we do our research. Then we work with the community to find solutions and implement effective programs and projects. Use the links below to find out more about our current activities...

 

Learn More

Use this handy list to go to your area of interest...

Water Quality Protection
Watershed & Wetlands Conservation
Land Use Planning
Other Programs & Projects

Water Quality Protection

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Water Quality Monitoring 

  In line with our stated mission to promote community awareness of the need to preserve water quality and marine life throughout the Oyster Bay-Cold Spring Harbor estuary complex, we monitor the health of its waters.  We began testing water quality in Oyster Bay in 1999, starting out in a small way with just nine locations in Oyster Bay.  Today, we have 19 locations, tested weekly from May through October, not only in Oyster Bay, but also in Mill Neck Creek and Cold Spring Harbor.  learn more 

 

Water Quality Monitoring Reports 

  Our weekly monitoring results are compiled into annual reports.  These reports are available here in Acrobat file format.

Mill Neck Creek Improvement 

  In partnership with the local Villages, Friends of the Bay has been working to improve the water quality of Mill Neck Creek.  The shellfish beds in this body of water have been closed since 1983.  The long-term goal is to is to reopen all 300 acres. 

  To achieve this goal Friends of the Bay has worked to get grant money to improve wastewater treatment and storm water runoff.  Over the last several years, we have expanded our water monitoring efforts to help pinpoint pollution sources.  We also received a grant to run an outreach program to increase the number of residences conducting routine maintenance of their onsite wastewater treatment systems. 

  Friends of the Bay continues to closely monitor the quality of the water in Mill Neck Creek and hopes to work with local residents and officials on future projects to help improve water quality.

Watershed & Wetlands Conservation

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Mill River Watershed Study

  Friends of the Bay supported the Town of Oyster Bay Town in its recent successful application to the NYS Department of State for a Mill River Watershed Study grant. 

This project consists of two components:  a watershed study and a public education effort leading to neighborhood environmental stewardship.  Friends of the Bay has offered its services to help the Town with educational outreach.  We look forward to this opportunity to partner with the Town to advocate best management practices for curtailing non-point source pollution on properties in the watershed.  

 

Centre Island Tide Gate

  This project was designed to restore approximately 20 acres of degraded tidal wetland located in the "Eastover Marsh".  Years ago the wetland was dissected by a road which restricted the tidal flow to a large section of the marsh.  This reduction has caused water to stagnate and Phragmites and other less desirable plant species to dominate much of the marsh. 

  To increase tidal flow and restore the marsh, two thirty-six inch concrete culverts were installed with a self regulating tide gate on one and a traditional flap tide gate on the other.  Significantly, this was the first time a self-regulating tide gate was installed in New York State. 

  The tide gates are now functioning properly and we are monitoring the increased tidal flow.  Although our final study is not yet complete, we have already seen the favorable effects on native vegetation used by local birds and fish and we have noticed water quality improvement due to increased water circulation.  We are hopeful that these habitat improvements will lead to a healthy, more ecologically productive wetland.

Land Use  Planning

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  Friends of the Bay closely monitors zoning and development plans that affect the Oyster Bay Cold Spring Harbor watershed to ensure that all proposals are compatible with the needs of a healthy ecosystem. 

  We have been working to realize our vision of "Smart Development" since 1987 and successfully helped to develop and implement a land use plan for Oyster Bay's Western waterfront (formerly Jacobson's Shipyard, now " The Waterfront Center"). 

We are now in the process of working with the community and interested parties developing the plan for the Eastern waterfront.

  Although the bay and the waterfront have been our focus, Friends of the Bay has increased its efforts to promote "Smart Development" practices for the entire Oyster Bay - Cold Spring Harbor watershed.  Without proper planning, land development in watershed areas can adversely affect the water quality of our estuary.

Other Programs & Projects

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In addition to the projects listed above, Friends of the Bay is involved in a wide array of community activities. 

Credit: panoramic photos created by Judy Rand