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

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

WHERE IS THIS IN THE HAB PLAN OR TARGET ACREAGE

Coastal Watershed Grant: Groundwater refugia

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

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

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