The Peconic Bay encompasses both the Great Peconic Bay and the Little Peconic Bay, which lie between the North Fork and South Fork. In addition to featuring diverse wildlife, the area is a popular destination for boating, sailing, fishing and beaches.

The Peconic Estuary, where the freshwater Peconic River meets the saltwater of the Great Peconic Bay, is one of 28 officially recognized, nationally significant estuaries designated by EPA through the National Estuary Program, which was created pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act. A major concern in the Peconic Bay is the impact of stormwater pollution. Runoff closes beaches and shellfish beds. Algal blooms, fed by fertilizer nutrients and pet waste contained in runoff, shade and kill off submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). SAV provides habitat essential to juvenile fish, crabs, shrimp and other species inhabiting the bay.

Protecting the Peconic Bay should be a priority. To accomplish this, NYLCVEF recommends that local governments:

• Work with the Peconic Estuary Program to continue carrying out the Peconic Estuary Program Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) to restore and preserve the estuary by working CCMP recommendations into enforceable Town and Village Codes.
• Increase funding for conservation management, research and public education programs at the Peconic Bay.
• Support and fund efforts to develop sustainable aquaculture in the bay, including shellfish reseeding programs.
• Raise awareness about rainwater runoff and offer incentives such as tax breaks for homeowners who install rainwater capture devices such as cisterns, use permeable pavement, or plant rainwater gardens.

 

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