Updated Plan Provides a Guide to Protect Water Quality, Living Resources and Public Use 

Comments Accepted on Draft Comprehensive Management Plan Update through December 6th

The New York State Department of State and the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council today released the draft 2021 Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) update. The DOS and the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council are accepting public comments on the draft Comprehensive Management Plan update to gather input from local stakeholders and the public through December 6th. 

“Long Island’s economy and marine ecology are inextricably tied to one another, as the Island’s economic, social and environmental future depends on a healthy and thriving south shore estuary,” said Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, Chair of the South Shore Estuary Reserve Council. “This Plan update provides a guide for protecting water quality, living resources, public use, estuary economy and resilience of the South Shore Estuary well into the future. I encourage all stakeholders to share their comments as stewards of the estuary to help address emerging environmental issues.”

The Draft 2021 Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan Update is available here. Comments can be emailed with “SSER CMP Update” in the subject line to sser@dos.ny.gov or mailed through December 6th to: Jeremy Campbell, Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Office, c/o New York State Department of State, Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231.

The SSER, administered by the Department of State, was established in 1993 through the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Act which called for the protection and prudent management of Long Island’s South Shore bays and upland areas draining to them. The SSER brings together State and local governments, not-for-profit organizations, academia, local business interests and the public to preserve, protect and enhance the natural, recreational, economic and educational resources of the South Shore Estuary Reserve.

The SSER features vast stretches of sandy beaches, numerous marinas, and abundant parks and nature preserves that provide opportunities to swim, boat, fish, hike, observe wildlife, and relax. This area is home to 1.5 million people, the SSER is an anchor for Long Island’s tourism, seafood, and recreation industries. The Reserve extends across the southern portions of Nassau and Suffolk Counties and includes: the City of Long Beach; portions of the Towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven and Southampton; and 28 villages.

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