CCE in the News

Newbridge Road Park Waterway Access Project

Newbridge Road Park Waterway Access Project

New Public Access Point Creates a Year-Round, ADA-Accessible Recreation Destination as Part of the Long Island South Shore Blueway Trail

Follows Completion of Connecting Access Point at Seamans Neck Park in Hempstead

Project Supports Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” Summer Campaign to Encourage Kids and Families to Enjoy Outdoor Recreation

The New York Department of State today announced the completion of the Newbridge Road Park water access point project in the Town of Hempstead as part of the South Shore Blueway Trail Plan. The completion of this new public access point adds a year-round, ADA-accessible recreation destination that connects to the access point at Seamans Neck Park in Hempstead, creating a network of water access points for individuals to experience Long Island’s South Shore.

Drinking water source 'under stress': Study underscores burden on Long Island's aquifer

Drinking water source 'under stress': Study underscores burden on Long Island's aquifer

For years, conservationists have warned that too much drinkable water is being extracted from the aquifer — a critical repository deep below Long Island — but there wasn't a lot of recent data to define the extent of the problem.

That was until an eight-year study released in August found the aquifer is "under stress," leading to saltwater intrusion, draining of some groundwater-fed streams and abandonment of degraded public wells. The authors of the study, a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey and the state Department of Environmental Conservation, note some of these problems date back decades and have been exacerbated by climate change. 

Riverhead officials told Manorville residents they’d never have public water. It took a decade, but yesterday, residents proved them wrong.

Riverhead officials told Manorville residents they’d never have public water. It took a decade, but yesterday, residents proved them wrong.

It was a sight to behold. And one that was a long time coming.

Suffolk County Water Authority contractors who are installing mains that will carry clean drinking water to homes in a remote section of Manorville crossed into Riverhead Town from Brookhaven yesterday.

Four residents who were instrumental in the years-long fight for access to public water gathered midday on Wading River Manor Road and River Road to witness what was for them a momentous occasion.

Manorville Water Project Hits Next Phase

Manorville Water Project Hits Next Phase

The last batch of homes with private wells believed to be polluted by subterranean toxins are expected to soon be connected to the Suffolk County Water Authority system, officials said.

Suffolk County Water Authority breaks ground on water main extension

Suffolk County Water Authority breaks ground on water main extension

The Suffolk County Water Authority began work Monday on a major water main extension to bring public water to 64 homes in the Riverhead Town sections of Manorville and Calverton, taking them off private wells that have been shown to be contaminated by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. 

The delicate, slow task of restoring 3 Long Island wetlands

The delicate, slow task of restoring 3 Long Island wetlands

The securing of a federal grant last month to restore three coastal wetlands in Suffolk County is the start of a lengthy process to make sure the work doesn't do as much harm as good.

The selection of the sites — Cupsogue Beach Marsh, Scully Marsh and the East Islip Preserve — and securing of funding represent years of advance work, including collecting data on tidal flooding, risk assessments and a cost-benefit analysis. The cost of restoring Cupsogue, for example, is estimated at $2 million, with losses averted totaling $50.6 million.

Strict protections proposed for horseshoe crabs

Strict protections proposed for horseshoe crabs

August 7, 2024 – Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito discusses legislation imposing broad restrictions on the harvesting of horseshoe crabs, which are a threatened species, but useful for biomedical development.

Winds of Change: CEWIT Hosts Offshore Wind Industry Open House

Winds of Change: CEWIT Hosts Offshore Wind Industry Open House

More than 200 community members gathered at the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) August 2 to attend the Offshore Wind Industry Open House and Union Apprenticeship Awareness Day, which offered a unique opportunity to learn about career prospects in this growing field.

Suffolk Closeup: Destroying 400 million years of L.I. life

Suffolk Closeup: Destroying 400 million years of L.I. life

“We are destroying this incredible living fossil, chopping it up for bait,” New York State Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick (D-NYC) told me in an interview last week.

Ms. Glick is the author of a bill in the State Assembly, which with a companion measure in the State Senate, have passed that would protect horseshoe crabs. They would prohibit horseshoe crabs from being taken from the waters of New York State except for educational and research purposes.

Horseshoe crab protection bill awaits governor’s signature: environmentalists urge support

Horseshoe crab protection bill awaits governor’s signature: environmentalists urge support

“We are destroying this incredible living fossil, chopping it up for bait,” New York State Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick told me in an interview last week. 

She is the author of a bill in the State Assembly which with a companion measure in the State Senate has passed that would protect horseshoe crabs. They would prohibit horseshoe crabs from being taken from the waters of New York State except for educational and research purposes.

Northwell Health dismissal request a new wrinkle in contamination lawsuit

Northwell Health dismissal request a new wrinkle in contamination lawsuit

A motion this month by Northwell Health to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the hospital system’s air conditioners contaminated groundwater represented another twist in a nearly six-month-old court battle.

Southampton extends battery energy ban, angering environmentalists

Southampton extends battery energy ban, angering environmentalists

Southampton Town has extended a moratorium on new battery energy storage systems for the second time as officials seek more time to bolster safety codes, but over the objections of environmentalists.

Water quality advocates pushing Navy to test for chemical drums at former Grumman site

Water quality advocates pushing Navy to test for chemical drums at former Grumman site

Water quality advocates in Calverton, prompted by recent discoveries of chemical drums at Bethpage Community Park, are calling on the U.S. Navy to investigate whether similar barrels also are buried in the hamlet, where Northrop Grumman once operated an aerospace facility.

Governor Hochul Celebrates Record $2.2 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure in 2024

Governor Hochul Celebrates Record $2.2 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure in 2024

Environmental Facilities Corporation's Financial Assistance is Making Projects Affordable for New Yorkers, Safeguarding Drinking Water, and Improving Water Quality in Support of Nation-Leading Clean Water Goals

EFC Investments Highlighted in the Corporation’s Annual Program Metrics Report

New Project Impact Dashboard Enables the Public to Track Project Investments Statewide

Protecting aquifers, Long Island’s only source of drinking water

Protecting aquifers, Long Island’s only source of drinking water

More than 100 billion gallons of water will be used for lawn maintenance alone across Long Island this summer — enough to fill 150,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools — and the cost shows up in more than just your water bill.

State lawmakers pass legislation protecting ancient marine marvel: 'This measure will protect this living fossil from experiencing a total population collapse'

State lawmakers pass legislation protecting ancient marine marvel: 'This measure will protect this living fossil from experiencing a total population collapse'

The state of New York passed a revolutionary bill protecting horseshoe crabs, per an article in Harlem World.

Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick created legislation A.10140 to stop the harvesting of horseshoe crabs across New York in an effort to protect these ancient creatures.