REASON: The establishment of a Working Group for the Upper and lower Lakes of the Carmans River, which will assist in development of strategies to clean and protect the lakes from invasive species, restore their natural beauty and help to preserve and protect the entire Carmans River.

PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED: No DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE APPROVAL: YES NO DOLLARS INVOLVED: None

ESTABLISHMENT OF A CARMANS RIVER PROTECTION WORKING GROUP

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookhaven finds that the Upper and Lower Lakes of the

Carmans River comprise an environmental resource of high public significance, which has been designated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a Wild, Scenic and Recreational River; and

WHEREAS, the Upper and Lower Lakes of the Carmans River contain habitats and

natural communities that have significant natural resource value and provide habitat to a wide variety of wildlife species, including Native Brook Trout, American eel, Alewives, swading birds, waterfowl, songbirds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians; and

WHEREAS, the Upper and Lower Lakes of the Carmans River have been invaded

by the following acquatic invasive species; Cabomba Caroliniana and Variable Leaf Watermilfoil; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Brookhaven finds that it is worthwhile to cooperate with interested and affected individuals, organizations and agencies in the Upper and Lower Lakes of the Carmans River area, to develop strategies to address the environmental deterioration of the Upper and Lower Lakes of the Carmans River.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Board of the Town of

Brookhaven that the Carmans River Protection Working Group is hereby established for the

purpose of reviewing and evaluating all options to eradicate and manage the aquatic invasives

present in the Upper and Lower Lakes of the Carmans River and to further develop a set of

prioritized recommenqations for submission to jurisdictional authorities for implementation that

said jurisdictional authorities may deem to be appropriate; and be it further RESOLVED, that the following individuals and organizations are hereby appointed

to the Carmans River Protection Working Group, to serve at the pleasure of the Town Board:

The New York State Senator from the 3rd Senatorial District or his or her authorized designee;

The New York State Assemblyman from the First Assembly District or his or her authorized designee;

The Suffolk County Legislator from the 3rd Legislative District, or his or her

authorized designee;

Brookhaven Town Councilperson from the 4th District, or his or her authorized

designee;

An authorized designated representative from the Town of Brookhaven Division of Environmental Protection;

One authorized representative from the New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation;

One authorized representative from three (3) interested County of Suffolk agencies, which may include the Suffolk County Department of Health Services; the Suffolk County Department of Public Works and the Suffolk County Planning Department;

One authorized representative from the South Yaphank Civic Association;

One authorized representative from the ~ Yaphank Taxpayers Civic

Association;

One authorized representative from four (4) interested not-for-profit, non

governmental environmental organizations;

Four (4) authorized representatives consisting of residents of the Upper and Lower

Lakes of the Carman River Community; one of which must be from the Lower Lake Community and one of which must be from the Upper Lake Community; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Town Board may appoint a member of the Carmans River Protection Working Group to serve as the Chairperson, which Chairperson shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Board.