County executive Ed Romaine and Suffolk Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey today announced that the Suffolk County Legislature has approved a resolution to amend the 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets, allocating $6.6 million to reconstruct the New Mill Pond Dam spillway at Blydenburgh County Park. This decision addresses the critical need for repairs following severe rain events that compromised the infrastructure.
Introduced by the Presiding Officer at the request of the County Executive, this resolution authorizes the reallocation of Emergency Mitigation funds to support interim and long-term repairs of the dam and spillway.
"This project represents a critical investment in our parks and infrastructure," said Romaine. "By acting now, we are ensuring our residents' safety and preserving one of our county's most cherished natural spaces."
"Suffolk’s parks are an incredible asset and the Legislature takes pride in their preservation and enhancement,” said Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey. “We are pleased to work together with County Executive Romaine to maintain and improve the underlying infrastructure and natural resources for our residents.”
"Blydenburgh Park is not just historic, but a thriving, vital part of my district and our community,” said Legislator Leslie Kennedy. “Efforts to restore Stump Pond and all of its beauty and activities are wonderful.”
The funding includes $600,000 for planning and $6 million for construction, with work to be carried out under Capital Project 7099, “Reconstruction of Spillways in County Parks.” The County Legislature’s resolution also complies with New York State’s Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), ensuring the project meets all environmental and administrative guidelines.
The funds were transferred from the 2024 Adopted Operating Budget Emergency Mitigation account and allocated as follows:
- Planning: $600,000
- Construction: $6,000,000
The Department of Parks and Public Works (DPW) will oversee the project, providing quarterly status updates to the Legislature. These updates will include details on any delays, changes in funding allocations, or project progress.
Recent extreme weather events have underscored the urgent need to modernize infrastructure across the region. This reconstruction project will enhance the dam’s resilience, ensuring it can better withstand future severe weather while maintaining the safety and recreational value of Blydenburgh County Park.
While planning funds are immediately available, construction funds will not be utilized until the completion of a detailed SEQRA review. This ensures the project proceeds with the highest level of environmental and operational integrity.