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CCOM is seeking a full-time staff member to help lead CCOM's environmental advocacy and communications. Salary and title are commensurate with level of experience. For more information, please visit our online careers page.

Governor Hochul signed an amendment to the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act on Thurs, 5/23. Twelve years in the making, this amendment creates a Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Fund via a .0125% increase in the County sales tax until 2060. Between $3-4 billion in new local funding would be generated for water quality restoration. 50% of the fund would expand wastewater treatment systems and 50% would replace old cesspools and septic systems with hi-tech nitrogen removing systems. The Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act sponsored by Assemblyman Thiele, empowers the county legislature to add a referendum to the November ballot, when the public will vote on its passage. A meeting of the county legislature on June 4 will be the next step in the process. See the governor’s press release here.

CCOM, in partnership with the Gobler Lab at Stony Brook Southampton, has been monitoring blue-green algae levels in Fort Pond weekly for the past seven summers. The kickoff to this year’s sampling was May 28^th and continues weekly until September.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms that naturally occur in lakes and streams. In slow-moving waters, blue-green algae can multiply and “bloom” rapidly in response to sunlight, warming temperatures, and excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen). These blooms can produce toxins that have been linked to acute poisoning of humans, pets, and wildlife.

We have been advocating for nitrogen-reducing septic upgrades and reduced stormwater runoff for many years. We share our HAB monitoring results from Fort Pond and other water bodies on our social media and website. To see past and present HAB monitoring data, check out our weekly press releases HERE.

The Montauk Pump-Out Station is now OPEN for self pump out. Use VHF channel 73 to reach our Pump Out Boat Captains. This is available from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. There are also SELF-SERVE STATIONS available seasonally in both Three Mile Harbor and Lake Montauk. The stations operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, if the tank is full the station will not operate and will re-open after tank has been emptied. For more information click here.

The EH Town Water Quality Technical Advisory Committee (WQTAC) has an important responsibility to make determinations on the eligibility of a project for Community Preservation Fund (CPF) Water Quality funding based on interpretation of the NYS and Town CPF legislation.

Commercial septic upgrades to Oceanside Owners LLC (Hero Beach Club) and Fort Pond Partners LLC (Harvest on the Pond). WQTAC Justification: These are large-scale upgrade of a commercial sanitary system located in a high priority area within Downtown Montauk. Please give a huge round of applause to these two businesses for helping keep our waters clean.

Napeague Harbor Eelgrass Restoration Pilot by Peconic Baykeeper. WQTAC Justification: WQTAC believes this project can have positive impacts if proven to be successful as a restoration technique for future expansion to increase eelgrass beds locally. Great educational benefit and involvement with local schools.

NOAA National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season which means a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 8 to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 4 to 7 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). Forecasters have a 70% confidence in these ranges. Click here for the report.

CCOM recently became a participant in East Hampton Town Highway Department’s Adopt-a-Road program, a public service opportunity for the purpose of maintaining cleaner and more beautiful roads throughout the Town. CCOM has chosen Second House Road in Montauk, from South Delrey Road to E Road (north end).  As a participant, CCOM will be responsible for litter pickups up to a minimum of 8 times per year, once a month from May to October and about every other month thereafter. In return, the Highway Department erects its Adopt-a-Road signage including the name of the participating individual or organization. CCOM encourages others to join the effort by becoming a participant. For more information click here and to register, click here.

Following a request by Surfrider's Eastern Long Island Chapter, East Hampton Village has increased restrictions and amended Chapter 231 to increase restrictions on plastic utensils, condiment packets, napkins and other takeout accessories. This means that, businesses owners cannot automatically include single use take-out accoutrements in a takeout order unless a customer specifically requests them. Good for the environment, good for the business owner. Great job Surfrider. Every little bit counts.  They are currently working with EH Town to pass similar legislation which has been in effect in New York City since last year.

You may have noticed some construction being done at South Lake Montauk Park lately. The beach has been closed for public bathing since 2005 due high bacteria levels cause by outdated septic systems in the area and poor tidal flushing. The South Lake Montauk Park Revitalization project is expected to be completed in June and is one of several planned to improve the water quality of Lake Montauk and will be followed by other improvements in the area to protect this sensitive and important natural feature. More details are available at the EH Town Natural Resources Dept. South Lake Montauk Park Revitalization proposal.