MEDIA RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

CONTACT: JOSHUA SLAUGHTER
    Office:  (631) 852-1300
Cell:  (631) 456-1718
 Email: Joshua.Slaughter@suffolkcountyny.gov

Browning Proposes Legislation to Secure
Funding for Pollution Control in Yaphank Lakes

Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) will sponsor legislation to immediately hire a consultant to design a plan to end the uncontrolled runoff of storm water from County Road 21 that runs directly into Upper and Lower Yaphank Lakes, a significant factor in the degradation of those important recreational waters.

Due to the significant backlog of projects in the county’s Water Quality Improvement Division Engineering Unit, Legislator Browning has decided that the only way to get this important project done in a timely manner is to hire a consultant. Her proposed legislation would provide $200,000 to hire that consultant to provide engineering and submit a design.

“We have to move and move now to end this cascade of pollution off our county roadway that is running directly into the Yaphank Lakes,” said Legislator Browning. “With all the problems these lakes face, one we can address right away is the untreated pollution that is coming off our county roads.”

Legislator Browning has been working with the Coalition to Save Yaphank Lakes, who informed her about the direct runoff from the road and into the lakes. Legislator Browning immediately contacted the Suffolk County Department of Environment and Energy, which prepared the application to the Water Quality Review Committee. The application was approved on September 25, 2008 and now will need a resolution to acquire the funding.

Legislator Browning hopes to introduce the resolution authorizing funding for the consultant as soon as possible.

There are approximately 1.4 miles of county-maintained roadway that discharge untreated stormwater into Upper and Lower Yaphank Lakes, including four direct discharges into the lakes.  The consultant that would be hired with the funds from Legislator Browning’s resolution would be responsible for the following services:

1. Perform a detailed topographic survey and drainage system reconnaissance of the entire project area.

2. Prepare design alternatives including information on flow rate, pollutants of concern, and construction cost vs. expected benefit.

3. Select the desired alternative and move forward with preliminary design and obtain necessary permits.

4. Prepare final construction plans, specifications, and estimate.

It is expected that an application for construction will begin submitted no later than April of 2010, although Legislator Browning is hopeful that construction can start sooner, given the urgency of the work.