Schultz, Vice President - Katia Read, Secretary Tara Kavanagh, Co-Directors - Maria Slavnova, Larissa Chraim. Email; [email protected]
Mission: The mission of Friends of Bellport Bay (FoBB) is to improve the water quality of Bellport Bay through organizing, lobbying, collaborating, and fundraising in order to succeed at the following:
1. Support the "Bellport Inlet" by opposing the manual closing of t
he inlet should a decision to close it occur. The Breach at Old Inlet is undergoing a study by the Dept. of the Interior. The study will eventually lead to a course of action regarding the inlet. It is our position to support the option that will allow the inlet to exist naturally and not to have it closed manually by the Army Corp. Note: Our position regarding the inlet can change should the science and facts conclude that the inlet is causing adverse effects to the mainland shore line. At this point all evidence suggests that there are no adverse effects. Community Inlet meetings will keep the public informed.
2. Collaborate with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE) and Brookhaven Town to plant shellfish within sustainable locations around Bellport Bay to help filter and improve water quality, create habitat and protect shorelines. The shellfish would be monitored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE) Marine program. Gregg Rivara; Aqua Culturalist of CCE, is overseeing our efforts to revitalize the shellfish population in Bellport Bay. Gregg Rivara will be in charge planning and oversight. Note: July 18th 2017 FoBB has planted almost 500,000 shellfish.
3. Decreasing direct pollutants runoff into Bellport Bay. Through a collaborative effort with Bellport Village and other Bellport Bay communities it is our goal to assist communities with their mandates and / goals to minimize direct stormwater runoff into Bellport Bay. A target is the Bellport Village municipal wastewater runoff system. Installing leeching pools and filtration systems along the lines would greatly improve the quality of Bellport Bay.
4. Educating and updating the public on pollution mitigation strategies and results
Publish information so that the public can learn how to help mitigate nitrates and pollutants that find their way into Bellport Bay. Contribute to community newsletters. Also provide the public with updates on FoBB's initiatives. In summary: Through our stated 4 prong approach, we believe we can turn the tide and improve the quality of Bellport Bay for generations to come.
