|
|
|
Friends of the Bay is a widely respected, volunteer-based, not-for-profit, environmental organization based in Oyster Bay, New York. Beginning in 1987 as a small group of volunteer citizens concerned about the deleterious effects of massive, proposed development in the drainage basin of the Oyster Bay Harbor, the group has grown to be a powerful voice representing nearly 3,500 area residents and businesses. The New York Times has identified Friends of the Bay as one of the most effective environmental organizations around Long Island Sound and local government officials have referred to our effectiveness by observing that we are "one of the premier environmental groups on Long Island." Our mission is to promote, develop, foster and encourage community awareness of the need to preserve water quality and marine life in the Bay, to assure aesthetic and recreational value of the Oyster Bay Harbor and to ensure that any necessary development in the watershed is compatible with the needs of a healthy ecosystem. Friends play a leading role in the development of plans for the management and protection of the Bay ecosystems and federally-sponsored Long Island Sound Study. In addition, Friends conduct important community education programs to assist citizens in understanding and responding to the needs of the sensitive Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor environments. We coordinate citizen involvement through beach cleanups, dune grass plantings and citizen monitoring programs to ensure protection for the coastal and marine environment. We have helped forge consensus on important local protection plans by bringing together business, environment and civic interests, including the Department of State's "Outstanding Natural Coastal Area Plan", town Harbor Management Plan and a settlement between commercial fishermen and the town which resulted in the re-seeding of oyster and clam stock throughout the Bay.
Most recently, we helped secure the Jakobson Shipyard as the home of a marine education center for appreciation of our maritime heritage and the importance of a healthy environment for our future -- part of a broad community waterfront renewal.
The Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor Ecosystems The Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor ecosystems are highly sensitive estuarine environments which play host to a diverse population of plant and marine species. Recognized for its natural beauty and ecological value, 3,200 acres of the Bay area has been recognized by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as a protected Wildlife Refuge. As an estuarine environment, there is a delicate interplay of fresh and saltwater resources which support uniquely adapted marine and plant life. Estuaries are recognized as the most biologically productive ecosystem environments in the natural world and the Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor embayments are no exception. Home to the famous Pine Island Oyster, these bays produce 100 million clams and oysters annually and supply 90% of the oysters harvested in the entire state of New York. Dozens of local commercial baymen and countless recreational anglers find the Bays an abundant resource for marine life and in fact, their activity constitutes a significant component of the Oyster Bay economic base. The New York State Department of State's Coastal Resources Division is currently implementing an aggressive protection and planning program for the Long Island area. Through our efforts, Oyster Bay has been designated a pilot study area and in recognition of its ecological importance, designated an "Outstanding Natural Coastal Area".
The harbors are part of the larger Long Island Sound marine environment, an area recognized by the United State Environmental Protection Agency as a prestigious Estuary of National Significance. As such, for the past seven years, respected scientists, federal and state experts and shoreline residents have participated in the historic Long Island Sound Study. Their efforts have produced a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan which will protect the fragile resources of this important estuarine environment. The Sound and its various inlets, including Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor, support over $5 billion of economic activity including boating and beach swimming, commercial and recreational fishing. This ecosystem is, more than anything else, responsible for the outstanding quality of life in this area.
Contact: Michael J. Deering |
