Stormwater pollution has been implicated as one of the largest sources of pollution to the nation’s waterbodies. There are over 80 waterways in Suffolk County alone that are directly impacted by urban stormwater runoff. More than 50% of Suffolk County estuaries are impaired due to stormwater and these are our shellfish harvesting waters. Additionally, beaches are vital assets to Suffolk County’s tourism industry, and it is for that reason that when they are closed due to contamination from stormwater runoff it should be a concern to all Long Islanders.

In 2002, the US EPA initiated the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program which requires municipalities such as Suffolk County to implement Best Management Practices to control polluted stormwater runoff. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County works with Suffolk County officials and other municipalities on Long Island to help educate and develop program strategies so that the impacts of stormwater runoff on sensitive waterbodies are minimized.