Town Works to Improve South Shore Waterway NavigationDredge Spoil Project Will Protect Endangered Shorebirds

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        In an attempt to further improve waterway navigation for boaters and protect the nesting areas of south shore birds, the Brookhaven Town Board recently authorized the United States Army Corps of Engineers to place dredge spoil on East Inlet Island. The Town-owned island is located in Moriches Bay in the vicinity of Moriches Inlet. Commencing on November 1st, the project will last about 70 days and approximately 80,000 cubic yards of material will be dredged.

        Dredge spoil is the sediment that is skimmed or excavated from a bay or river bottom. The East Inlet spoil will be reused to provide open sandy areas for wildlife.

         "This project will allow for safer navigation and easier access through the Intracoastal Waterway for all boaters, as well as mind the needs of the shorebirds that require open sandy areas for nesting. The sand will be placed on the island in such a way as to improve habitat for threatened and endangered shorebirds, notably piping plovers, common terns, and roseate terns as well as other shorebird species," Supervisor John Jay LaValle said.

        Spoil sand will be excavated by a hydraulic dredge, which will pump a sand/water slurry to the site via 12-inch diameter pipes. The entire project was designed and funded by the US Army Corp of Engineers. Brookhaven Town has complete oversight authority.

        In addition to benefiting boaters, the project will also improve public safety for Coast Guard access. The island is accessible only by boat and access is weather and tide dependent. The Coast Guard assisted in this project by providing transportation to the island.

        The habitat restoration is the result of a cooperation and partnership among Brookhaven Town, the Army Corps, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the National Parks Service, U.S. Coast Guard and NYS Department of Environmental Conser-vation, and could thus serve as a model for other similar projects.

        Post project monitoring will be conducted this spring.