“In addition to protecting natural resources, Environmental Conservation Officers play a valuable role in safeguarding the public’s health,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “The harvesting of shellfish from uncertified waters has the potential to have dire human health consequences by transmitting diseases to humans who consume them.”

Dr. James Tomarken, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, announced today that the department has launched its comprehensive bathing beach water quality monitoring program for the 2013 season.

As always, health officials recommend swimming at lifeguard protected beaches only. Residents are also encouraged to consult the SCDHS Beach website at the link below.   That website contains information on all beaches including those subject to precautionary closures in times of heavy rainfall and stormwater runoff.  Note: A number of beaches are marked as closed because they have not yet opened for the season. At this point, no beaches have been closed due to water quality issues. http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/EnvironmentalQuality/Ecology/BeachMonitoringProgram/AdvisoriesClosures.aspx

Residents and visitors may also contact the Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 during normal business hours for beach information or they may call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 631-852-5822 which has a recorded message offering the latest beach status information.

The Suffolk County Department of Public Works’ Division of Vector Control plans to treat parts of the following salt marshes by helicopter to control mosquito larvae.  Should weather conditions prevent completion of the work, treatment will be continued on the next suitable day.

Time and date of the application: May 29, 2013, 5:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Method of application:  Low altitude, large droplet liquid application

Name of Pesticide: Vectobac 12 AS (Bti)

Approximate location(s):

Marshes will be treated as shown:

The products used are registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and are applied in accordance with the required state and federal permits.

No precautions are recommended to prepare for this spraying, as the helicopter will be flying at a very low level over marsh areas and taking other precautions to control drift into inhabited areas. Human exposure from this operation is unlikely and the products involved have no significant human toxicity, according to an EPA assessment and Suffolk County’s own risk assessment plan.

For current and future notices and/or further information:

• Suffolk County Division of Vector Control 631-852-4270
• Spraying Information Hotline 631-852-4939

Karen Bulich Moreau, Executive Director, NYS Petroleum Council addresses fracking regulations before NYS Assembly committee. Long Island’s Assemblyperson Steve Engelbright speaks about consequences for LI at 32:30 on the video. The discussion ends (47:17) with an exchange between Ms. Moreau and Assemblyperson Dan O’Donnell.

Panel members: Karen Moreau, Executive Director, NYS Petroleum Council, Darren Suarez, Director of Governmental Affairs, Business Council of New York, Nancy T. Schmitt, President, Taum Sauk Investments LLC, Kelly Branigan (proxy for James L. Northrup, Private Oil and Gas Investor), Louis W. Allstadt, Former Executive Vice President, Mobil Oil Corporation.