Bay Park Ocean Outfall Pipe
Feb 23, 2014 18:09:26 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2014 18:09:26 GMT -5
Coalition of Nassau Civic Associations
P.O. Box 500
Merrick, NY 11556
516-972-6988
contactconca@gmail.com
www.concali.org
Bay Park Ocean Outfall Pipe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the June 27, 2013 Council meeting, the Coalition of Nassau Civic Associations ("CONCA") discussed the Bay Park Outfall Pipe. Some key points follow.
CONCA has been asked to sign onto a letter, requesting a sizable portion of Sandy-relief funds, earmarked for rebuilding the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, be allocated toward extending its outfall pipe from Reynolds Channel to the Atlantic Ocean, similar to the Cedar Creek plant in Seaford.
Since 2008, $1.6 million has been spent in state and federal money has been spent on documenting high levels of ammonia, nitrate and ulva (seaweed) in our Western Bays in and around the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant's outfall pipe into Reynolds Channel and its surrounding ecosystem.
Studies conclude eighty-five percent (85%) of the total nitrogen found in the Western Bays originates from Bay Park.
Related studies also conclude ever-increasing amounts of "total nitrogen" are killing off healthy vegetation and destroying habitat, and at accelerating rates.
The ongoing TMDL study has evinced that much of the effluent flowing from the Bay Park outfall pipe takes days, even weeks, to flush out into the ocean. Over the years, ever-increasing levels of total nitrogen have caused an increase in seaweed growth, much of which winds up on the Point Lookout shoreline.
Experts have confirmed decaying seaweed produces hydrogen sulfide gas, which can cause, not only serious respiratory problems, but permanent nervous system and brain dysfunction as well.
Superstorm Sandy exacerbated the problem. Due to decades of neglect, which, in turn, led to massive infrastructure failure, the storm forced Bay Park beyond its breaking point; and well over 2 billion gallons of sewage discharged into Reynolds Channel during the ensuing 44 days. In effect, Bay Park is now defunct, and cannot withstand another disaster. Federal and state funds are being made available to rebuild the plant. The salient question is: Should the outfall pipe remain in Reynolds Channel or should it be extended to the Atlantic Ocean?
Proponents for an ocean outfall aver discharging to the Channel would continue advancing the Bays' decline (albeit, at a slower rate); and an ocean outfall may be the County's last chance to save these waters, as federal funding for sewage plant infrastructure is limited and may never present itself locally again.
However, some opponents argue keep the pipe out of the ocean and use that portion of the funding to further augment the proposed improvements to the Bay Park plant, including a higher grade of tertiary treatment.
CONCA's members present at the June 27, 2013 meeting decided to explore this issue, as it will have environmental repercussions; but they require more information before taking a position - either for or against an ocean outfall pipe.
CONCA Members are correct. This is an ongoing issue requiring further investigation. As both sides articulate their respective cases, CONCA will continue to present them for Membership review. Within the next month to 45 days, CONCA will bring this matter to the Membership for a vote to take a position; and CONCA will either sign onto the letter, or not, accordingly.
Please visit our website at www.concali.org to discuss and comment.
Gerald Ottavino, Chair
CONCA Environment Committee
P.O. Box 500
Merrick, NY 11556
516-972-6988
contactconca@gmail.com
www.concali.org
Bay Park Ocean Outfall Pipe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the June 27, 2013 Council meeting, the Coalition of Nassau Civic Associations ("CONCA") discussed the Bay Park Outfall Pipe. Some key points follow.
CONCA has been asked to sign onto a letter, requesting a sizable portion of Sandy-relief funds, earmarked for rebuilding the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, be allocated toward extending its outfall pipe from Reynolds Channel to the Atlantic Ocean, similar to the Cedar Creek plant in Seaford.
Since 2008, $1.6 million has been spent in state and federal money has been spent on documenting high levels of ammonia, nitrate and ulva (seaweed) in our Western Bays in and around the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant's outfall pipe into Reynolds Channel and its surrounding ecosystem.
Studies conclude eighty-five percent (85%) of the total nitrogen found in the Western Bays originates from Bay Park.
Related studies also conclude ever-increasing amounts of "total nitrogen" are killing off healthy vegetation and destroying habitat, and at accelerating rates.
The ongoing TMDL study has evinced that much of the effluent flowing from the Bay Park outfall pipe takes days, even weeks, to flush out into the ocean. Over the years, ever-increasing levels of total nitrogen have caused an increase in seaweed growth, much of which winds up on the Point Lookout shoreline.
Experts have confirmed decaying seaweed produces hydrogen sulfide gas, which can cause, not only serious respiratory problems, but permanent nervous system and brain dysfunction as well.
Superstorm Sandy exacerbated the problem. Due to decades of neglect, which, in turn, led to massive infrastructure failure, the storm forced Bay Park beyond its breaking point; and well over 2 billion gallons of sewage discharged into Reynolds Channel during the ensuing 44 days. In effect, Bay Park is now defunct, and cannot withstand another disaster. Federal and state funds are being made available to rebuild the plant. The salient question is: Should the outfall pipe remain in Reynolds Channel or should it be extended to the Atlantic Ocean?
Proponents for an ocean outfall aver discharging to the Channel would continue advancing the Bays' decline (albeit, at a slower rate); and an ocean outfall may be the County's last chance to save these waters, as federal funding for sewage plant infrastructure is limited and may never present itself locally again.
However, some opponents argue keep the pipe out of the ocean and use that portion of the funding to further augment the proposed improvements to the Bay Park plant, including a higher grade of tertiary treatment.
CONCA's members present at the June 27, 2013 meeting decided to explore this issue, as it will have environmental repercussions; but they require more information before taking a position - either for or against an ocean outfall pipe.
CONCA Members are correct. This is an ongoing issue requiring further investigation. As both sides articulate their respective cases, CONCA will continue to present them for Membership review. Within the next month to 45 days, CONCA will bring this matter to the Membership for a vote to take a position; and CONCA will either sign onto the letter, or not, accordingly.
Please visit our website at www.concali.org to discuss and comment.
Gerald Ottavino, Chair
CONCA Environment Committee