Heavy Rains Force Shellfishing Ban in South Fork Waterways

Citing recent heavy rainfall and stormwater runoff, the State Department of Environmental Conservation has temporarily closed several waterways in East Hampton and Southampton to the harvesting of shellfish.

As of Wednesday, part of Northwest Harbor, all of Northwest Creek, all of Sag Harbor and its tributaries, and a portion of outer Sag Harbor were affected by the D.E.C. action.

The portion of Northwest Harbor east of a line extending northeasterly from the westernmost point of land at the entrance to Northwest Creek, to the foot of Mile Hill Road, has been designated as uncertified, or closed to shellfishing. The affected waterways will remain closed until the D.E.C. determines that the hazardous conditions are no longer present.

The D.E.C. takes such action as a precaution against the potential health hazards of consuming shellfish contaminated by bacteria and other pathogens carried into waters by heavy rainfall. More than three inches of precipitation fell within 12 hours in the affected areas this week. The waterways will be recertified based on analysis of water samples taken from the affected areas over the next several days.

In addition to the affected waterways on the South Fork, the D.E.C. closed several other water bodies in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. In Babylon and Islip, all of Great South Bay and its tributaries lying westerly of the northbound span of the Robert Moses Causeway bridges were closed. In Huntington, all of Northport Bay, Duck Island Harbor, Centerport Harbor, Lloyd Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor, and Huntington Bay lying south of a line extending easterly from the southernmost point of East Beach to the southernmost point of West Beach were closed as of Tuesday at 3 p.m.

In Nassau County, affected waterways include all or part of Hempstead Bay, East Bay, South Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay Harbor, and Hempstead Harbor.

A recorded message that will be updated during the course of the closures can be heard at 444-0480. A more detailed description of the closed areas can be heard by calling the D.E.C.'s Marine Resources office at 444-0492 during normal business hours.