DEC Contact: Lori Severino (518) 402-8000
press@gw.dec.state.ny.us May 01, 2014
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DEC Temporarily Closes Shellfishing Areas In Portions Of Nassau And Suffolk CountiesClosures Due to Heavy Rainfall |
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Shellfish harvesting areas in many towns in Nassau and Suffolk counties have been designated as uncertified (closed) for shellfish harvesting effective immediately on Thursday, May 1, 2014, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. These temporary closures have been implemented following the extremely heavy rainfall and stormwater runoff that affected these areas on Wednesday through Thursday, April 30 – May 1, 2014. Effective immediately and continuing until a determination is made that conditions no longer exist that may make shellfish hazardous for use as food, the following areas are designated as uncertified and the harvest of shellfish is temporarily prohibited:
This action was taken to protect the public health. Stormwater runoff caused by heavy rainfall carries bacteria and other pathogens into adjacent surface waters. When water quality in the enclosed creeks, coves, harbors and bays is adversely affected, shellfish in those areas have an increased potential to be hazardous for use as food. DEC will re-open areas as soon as possible based on the results of water quality testing to be conducted on samples that will be collected from the affected areas starting today and over the next several days. A recorded message advising harvesters of the status of these shellfish areas may be heard at (631) 444-0480. The message will be updated during the course of the temporary closures. For more detailed descriptions of the closed areas, call the office during normal business hours at (631) 444-0492. Additionally, information about temporary shellfish closures is available on DEC’s website.
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