Happy New Year!
We need your help. Reducing nitrogen levels in Accabonac Harbor is a difficult goal. APC funded the several Water Quality Projects in 2021-2022. Three projects were defined and developed by expert hydrogeologists from the Cornell Cooperative Extension. We believe these projects will provide evidence based solutions to the nitrogen issue, solutions that are measurable and scalable. We meed to prove this. If we can, we hope to work with experts to define projects eligible for CPF funding. The following is a description of the projects we have funded.
Water Quality Projects Funded by APC
1)South Harbor- Springs General Store Area “Multiphase Pilot Project: Ammonium Plume Remediation with Permeable Reactive Barrier”
This project is designed to mitigate a documented nitrogen groundwater plume, largely ammonium, entering the harbor at this site. Ammonium requires additional treatment prior to its removal in a future passive permeable reactive barrier planned for this site.
APC has committed funding for Phase 1 of this project-conversion of ammonium to nitrate.
Work to begin January 2022. Funded by Accabonac Protection Committee and Community Preservation Water Quality Funds.
Our funding was a clear signal of community support needed to quality for CPF funding.
2) “Southwest Harbor and Pussy’s Pond Groundwater and Porewater Bacteriological Survey”
Nitrogen has been documented entering the harbor at these sites, increasing every year over four years of monitoring. The source of this nitrogen is largely from septic systems.
This study will evaluate groundwater and porewater for fecal coliform bacteria along with continued nitrogen sampling.
Survey began October 2021
3) “North Harbor: Surface and Groundwater Monitoring and Remediation-Multiphase Project”
Phase One:
Surface water sampling from approximately 12 sites will include total pH, temp, dissolved oxygen, salinity, turbidity, total nitrogen, fecal coliform bacteria. Autonomous loggers will be deployed at 5 sites collecting data to help inform water quality issues which may play a role in pathogen and nitrogen issues.
Survey began October 2021
Phase Two:
Based on above data, location of areas with contaminated groundwater will potentially be determined with the focus on remediation/mitigation strategies.
Funding needed
“Winter Sugar Kelp Pilot Project-Nitrogen Mitigation”
Sugar Kelp absorbs nitrogen from surrounding water during its winter and spring growing periods, thereby sequestering this nutrient from the water. When harvested in late spring, nitrogen is removed from the water.
APC funded a feasibility project in the Louse Pt area which was initiated on
December 10, 2021 by the East Hampton Town Shellfish Hatchery.
You can see how we have targeted our spending on science that will address essential questions. We also hosted numerous Forums, conducted community outreach like the anti-litter ad in the East Hampton Star and mailings to homeowners. APC members collect water samples in Three Mile Harbor and Accabonac Harbor for CCOM to include in the Blue Water Task Force data set. We are on the ground helping as we are able. We have no paid staff, this is truly a grass roots organization.
Please help us if you are able. Donations of any amount are appreciated. Thank you
