Posted on July 26, 2021
The waterway hasn’t been dredged in 17 years, causing problems for boating and the health of the Great South Bay.
SAYVILLE, NY —State Senator Alexis Weik spoke at a news conference on Thursday calling for the emergency dredging of Brown’s River in Sayville. The river flows into the Great South Bay and environmental groups, residents and boaters have spoken about the need to clear the waterway of accumulated silt and runoff to make it deeper and flow freely for years.
Senator Weik started a petition asking the immediate dredging of the river. The last dredging was 17 years ago, according to her office.
“The safe navigability of the river is critical to ensure not only the safety of boaters, but also the economic viability of the businesses along the river and on Fire Island,” she said in a statement.
Because Browns River is a federal waterway the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for its dredging but Suffolk County and Islip Town must create a “spoil site” for the displaced material.
Weik was joined by State Senator Phil Boyle, Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo, Suffolk County Legislator Anthony Piccirillo, Islip Town Councilwoman Mary Kate Mullen and Robyn Silvestri, Executive Director of nonprofit Save the Great South Bay.
“We support the dredging of Browns River as part of a comprehensive plan to address water quality issues in the Great South Bay,” Silvestri said.
