Press Release
August 14, 2012
George Gorman
(631) 321-3403
Jones Beach Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall Pipe Now Connected to the Cedar Creek Plant
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that the project to connect the Jones Beach sewage treatment outfall pipe to the Cedar Creek plant is now operational. This $2.2 million project was a partnership between the State and Nassau County and was completed by DF Stone Contracting.
"Jones Beach not only provides amazing recreational opportunities, it is also home to many marine species. The completion of this project will lead to cleaner shorelines for all of our uses - on land and water," said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "Our partnership with Nassau County enabled us to achieve this goal."
"Nassau County was happy to work with New York State to bring this critical project to completion. The health of our bays and estuaries must be protected and this project goes a long way in achieving that goal," said Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.
"This is a significant step forward in protecting our Western Bays and this diversion of treated sewage advances our agenda of restoring these waters. Never again will the Jones Beach Sewage treatment plant discharge sewage effluent into this already stressed and degraded water body. The popular and beloved Zach's Bay will be cleaner and safer for boaters, swimmers, residents and families. We are thrilled! CCE congratulates the New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation and Nassau County for ensuring the completion of this critically important project," stated Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizen's Campaign for the Environment.
"The success of this project shows a positive side of cooperation between government and the needs of its citizens. We applaud New York State Parks as this project will go a long way to improve water quality in the South Shore Estuary as well as opening up some new clamming areas for our baymen" stated Robert Weltner, President of Operation Splash.
The connected outfall pipe will significantly reduce the effluent that is spilled into the bays, and improve the habitat and water quality. The bays are a sub-region of the precious and vital south shore estuary reserve, which represents a large area of shallow water and fragile salt marsh island. These areas are the homes of marine and bud life, like snowy egrets and blue herons. Hard shell clams and other mollusks also live in the marshes.