Patchogue, NY - Sept. 7, 2018 - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) today announced $480,000 in federal funding for the Cedar Beach Creek Habitat Restoration Demonstration Project, working with the Army Corps of Engineers, which will restore local essential ecosystem functions in the degraded marsh system.
Since 1930, significant marsh loss and degradation from erosion and past filling activities has occurred. Completion of this project will greatly enhance the 65-acre marsh and beach complex at Cedar Beach Creek. The project will restore and create 19.5 acres of salt marsh and marsh islands through the beneficial use of clean dredged material, create new oyster reefs, create 1.7 acres of new seagrass meadow and improve 3 acres of new open water habitat through increased/improved flushing. The Project grantee, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, will implement this project with New York District of the Army Corps, in coordination with Suffolk County Parks and the Peconic Estuary Program to improve this 65 acre marsh, beach, and open water mosaic. This project will establish and enhance three critical marine habitats in the Peconic Estuary which is an EPA designated Estuary of National Significance.
“In a district nearly completely surrounded by water, we have a unique responsibility to safeguard our local environment,” said Rep. Zeldin. “An important component of our community’s ecosystem is our area’s wetlands and salt marshes which protect our shores from erosion, reduce the impact of flooding, absorb pollutants and protect water quality. The diverse wildlife and vegetation is a critical part of Long Island’s ecological health.”
In July of this year, Congressman Zeldin secured $27 million in funding for the National Estuary Program, which funds this Federal Estuary Restoration Program, with passage of the Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act of FY 2019 (H.R. 6147).