RE: Restore and Protect Brookhaven Town  Bay Habitat.

Dear Brookhaven Town (New York) Councilmembers, 

The ecosystems and habitat within Brookhaven Town's bays and lagoons have suffered over the last several decades due to over harvesting of shellfish as well as pollution and nitrogen runoff.  The good news is that this trend can be reversed in part by executing a proven habitat restoration plan within a bay bottom sanctuary where restoration efforts would be protected from shellfish harvesting and other activities that disturb the bay bottom.

Organizations such as Friends of Bellport Bay Inc. (FoBB) which is a registered not-for- profit public charity can make a difference. Their mission is to collaborate with industry leaders to craft and execute plans to restore lost and or fragile bay bottom habitat. Such efforts include planting oysters, clams, scallops, and spat on shell as well as eel grass on the bay bottom. All restoration efforts are licensed and permitted by the governing entities.  All restoration efforts are monitored and documented. To date FoBB has planted close to 2 million shellfish into Bellport Bay.

I am a resident of Brookhaven Town and urge you to approve the resolution currently in front of the Town Board that would increase the current Town management area or sanctuary from two acres to four acres.   A four acres sanctuary represents less than 1% of the total bay bottom of Bellport Bay. This tiny sliver of bay bottom will allow habitat restoration to continue while protecting the shellfish and bay bottom plants from harvesting and from being disturbed.

Our bays are one of our most important assets. We deserve a healthy and viable bay ecosystem, one teaming with shellfish and marine life for the entire community and across all socioeconomic classes. A healthy bay bottom will help promote economic and recreational prosperity. Please expand the Town management area. 

Thank you,