Local Scouts and Lawmakers Clean Nissequogue River

More than 40 local scouts from Troops 3, 214 and 349 recently gathered at the culverts over the Northeast branch of the Nissequogue River to kick off the First Annual “ Clean the Stream” effort, sponsored by the Office of Suffolk County Legis. John Kennedy( R-Nesconset), Rich Kitt of the Smithtown Department of Environment and Waterways, VOB Trustee Mark Delaney, and an ample supply of motivated adult Scout Leaders.  

The mission was simple: following the ravages of Hurricane Sandy and the February blizzard, many tree limbs had fallen and blocked sections of the Branch.  This waterway serves not only as a natural habitat to the only indigenous Trout population on Long Island, but also to largemouth bass and other species of fish, as well as various species of turtle.  In addition to being a robust natural habitat for animal and plant life, the Branch serves as the primary conduit for surface water runoff for the surrounding hundreds of homes in the area.

Less than three years ago, Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio and the Town Board collaborated with the county, under the authority of the State Department of Environmental Conservation to engage in a highly successful stream clearance and silt remediation project that saw more than 200 yards of runoff and silt buildup removed from the lower 4,000-feet of the Branch.  At a total price tag of approximately $1 million, half of which was underwritten by the county, this project has served to transport larger volumes of water during heavy and sustained periods of precipitation. That greater volume of water transport leads to direct relief for homeowner basement flooding, septic system compromise, and overall difficulty for impacted residents. 

Seeking to maintain the positive benefits achieved buy this earlier project, Troop 349 Eagle Scout and Legislative Office summer intern, Thomas Kotak, proposed the cleanup project to Legislator Kennedy as a simple way to maintain the positive benefits of earlier government intervention.  

Kotak got to work in contacting town and county agencies for necessary approvals and consents, and quickly pulled together scouts at all levels, who were only too eager to jump in the water and get to work.  Suffolk County Vector Control Director Dominick Ninivaggi provided important bug repellent, gloves, trash bags, and appropriate marsh gear, while all brought along a wide array of shovels, rakes and other needed gear.  Scout leaders and older scouts were even supported with a flat bottomed boat supplied by Kitt from the Town DEW.

“I was very impressed with Tom’s organizational skills, and his smooth way of directing Scouts and parents to needed areas of clearance," Kennedy said.  

Most debris was removed to the banks, careful not disturb any of the natural ground cover. Larger downed trees were reported to the appropriate Town agencies, for removal with heavier equipment in the future. 

*Article contributed by the office of Legislator John Kennedy.