In an effort to stem the rising tide
of the invasive cabomba weed plaguing the Carmans River and address
whether existing dams should remain intact, the Brookhaven Town
Board unanimously authorized the formation of an advisory task
force.
While some oppose removal of
the dams, claiming that it would cause existing lakes to recede,
others believe the dams should be removed in order to allow the cold
water river to flow more rapidly and allow a habitat for brook trout
to continue to spawn and survive. Yaphank resident Johan McConnell
had asked the town board last month to consider the formation of the
task force to address these issues. McConnell and local resident
Robert Kessler both maintain the position that the dams should
remain intact. Those opposing maintenance of the dams include
Peconic Baykeeper Kevin McAllister and Dave Thompson, regional vice
president of the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited.
McConnell and Kessler assert that installing fish ladders would
provide an alternative to dismantling the dams, and would create an
opening for the trout to swim upstream to spawn. Thompson said that
while fish ladders are an option, he is not certain it is the best
choice. "We should look at all possible solutions," said Thompson,
who added, "If you remove the dams, then you create cold flowing
habitat." Following the town board's vote to authorize the
formation of the task force, Fourth District Councilwoman Connie
Kepert told Suffolk Life that she is sensitive to residents'
concerns about the dams. "The people of Yaphank are adamantly
opposed to removing the dams, because the lakes are an environmental
benefit, and there are other alternatives for the trout," she
stated. New York State Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Wading River)
will serve on the town-appointed task force. Alessi, who says he has
been listening to residents' concerns about the river, noted that he
is "adamantly opposed" to removing the dams. "The folks in the
Yaphank community want to preserve the lakes and eradicate the
invasive species," he said. "Then you have the sportsmen who like
the assurance that the fish can swim upstream [to spawn]." A good
compromise might be to provide fish ladders by the dams to enable
the fish to swim upstream, he said. This also would allow
preservation of the lakes. "These lakes have been in existence
for years and the community grew up around these lakes," Alessi
said. "So I am adamantly opposed to removing the dams, especially
since we have the solution of fish ladders, which will allow the
fish to migrate." As for the aquatic invasive species, Alessi and
Kepert agree there are a number of alternatives, including the use
of sonar herbicide, a proposed initiative that Thompson asserts is
"moving in the wrong direction." Meanwhile, Alessi maintains that
there are alternatives. "We can do dredging, or use sonar that only
affects this particular invasive species and leaves other native
plants unharmed. This is a pilot that was successfully used in the
Peconic River." Kepert said a schedule of task force meetings,
which will be open to the public, will be established once the
entire committee has been formed. She expects that the first meeting
will be held in January.
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