Goal 4: Healthy ecosystem
Actions
Projects
Progress of Actions
Progress of Projects
Completed In-Progress Unexecuted
Updated since: 10/29/2024
Objective G: Expand scientific understanding of the Peconic Estuary ecosystem and deliver information that supports management decision-making
Development of an ECOSIM model to characterize the estuarine food web and examine structural changes in ecosystem properties over time
Detailed spatial and temporal analysis of the Peconic Estuary trawl survey data to assess how species use the estuary and how species and communities have responded to local and regional environmental changes over time
Identification of key indicator species to monitor, based on the ECOSIM model and trawl survey analysis
Expanded research partnerships to facilitate the collection of additional ecological data to address identified knowledge gaps
Review and collation of recent data on rare, protected, and endangered species
Expansion of monitoring of rare, protected, and endangered species, where needed
Delivery of information to support updates to New York State Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats and the development of protection strategies
An updated economic valuation study for the Peconic Estuary
Small-scale research studies evaluating local impacts of fishing, aquaculture, boating, navigational dredging, and hardened shoreline structures
Report summarizing results of local studies and relevant findings from research studies in other locations
Development of BMPs to help reduce any negative impacts from boating, fishing, aquaculture, and other activities,
Final revised Suffolk County Aquaculture Lease Program Management Plan and Aquaculture Lease Map
Creation of GIS-based map for the Peconic Estuary watershed
Objective H: Restore and protect key habitats and species diversity in the Peconic Estuary and its watershed
Meetings with all relevant partners to disseminate and discuss Critical Lands Protection Strategy
Develop a target for the number of protected acres agreed on and incorporated into PEP CCMP Tracking System
Coastal Watershed Grant: Groundwater refugia
SAV Targets
Wetland/Shoreline Targets
DiadromousFish Habitat Targets
Assistance provided to municipalities in land use planning and conversion of high-priority developed areas back to a natural state
Critical Lands Protection Strategy updated every five years
Assistance to PEP partners in identifying and applying for land protection grants
Completion of the Woodhull Dam, Forge Road Dam, and Upper Mills Dam diadromous fish connectivity projects on the Peconic River
Development of an alewife survey to monitor the population and assess the success
Completion of culvert improvements on Alewife Creek - Noyack Rd
Culvert improvements on Alewife Creek - North Sea Rd
Lake Montauk- Big Reed Pond Alewife Access and Habitat Enhancement:
TNC Culvert Prioritization Project
Completion of priority diadromous fish habitat connectivity projects identified in the PEP Habitat Restoration Plan
Identification of sites where eelgrass restoration or enhancement is feasible
Identification of sites where water quality improvements could potentially increase habitat suitability for eelgrass,
A comprehensive aerial survey of eelgrass in the Peconic Estuary
Annual Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Qualitative Survey (Long Term Eelgrass Monitoring)
BMPs developed for eelgrass protection
Collaboration on implementation of New York’s Seagrass Protection Act and toward creation of Seagrass Management Areas
Financial and logistical support for the Annual Long-Term Eelgrass Monitoring Program
Complete construction of priority wetland restoration project at Indian Island
Complete engineering designs and construction of the Cedar Beach Creek Wetland Restoration
Complete engineering designs for ongoing, priority wetland restoration project at Narrow River
Complete engineering designs for ongoing, priority wetland restoration project at Paul Stoutenburgh
Complete engineering designs for ongoing, priority wetland restoration project at Meetinghouse Creek
Complete construction of stormwater wetland restoration project at Meetinghouse Creek
Identification of the top five projects from the 2020 Habitat Restoration Plan that have yet to be initiated and secured funds for conceptual design plansI
Complete construction of Narrow River/Broad Meadows Wetland Restoration, Paul Stoutenburgh Wetland Restoration, and Meetinghouse Creek Wetland Restoration
Completion of design and implementation of at least three priority projects identified through the Short-term Performance Measures under Action 31
Meetings of PEP staff and municipalities to develop draft model policies
Dissemination of monitoring results from two pilot living shoreline projects
Identification of additional sites to carry out living shoreline projects
Development of user-friendly living shoreline guides for homeowners
Expansion of monitoring and research for river otter, terrapins, and horseshoe crabs
Information about key species presented in State of the Peconic Estuary reports to guide habitat restoration and protection efforts
Development of estuary-wide habitat restoration and protection strategies for the river otter, diamondback terrapin, and horseshoe crab
Identification of additional key species for which habitat restoration and protection strategies are needed
Initiation of stock assessment of bay scallops, eastern oysters, and hard clams in the Peconic Estuary
Dissemination of information about the Peconic Estuary’s shellfish resources and restoration efforts
Designation of shellfish spawning sanctuaries