I received a call from Diane Yatauro’s office just moments ago informing me that Senator Schumer will hold a press conference tomorrow at 11:00am.  The press conference will be held at the site of the proposed sewage pump station in the Birches development.  The purpose is to make a request of president elect Obama to include additional funding for sewage treatment in his economic stimulus plan.

Should this funding be provided, the Long Island Sound just may be the body of water that derives the most benefit from it.  In addition to the coastal areas of Long Island and Connecticut, the Sounds drainage basin includes parts of New York City and a section of New England that runs all the way to Canada.

http://www.longislandsoundstudy.net/pubs/maps/drainmap.html

Unfortunately, I can’t seem to locate the map that shows the hundreds of sewage treatment plants in this area, but it would amaze you.

What is truly amazing about tomorrow’s event is that a tiny grass roots organization like Friends of the Bay, with no small amount of help from local residents (you), is responsible not only for ending the flow of raw sewage into our bay, but may possibly influence policy decisions on a national level. 

I recently received the Friends of the Bay annual fundraising appeal letter and would like ask that all of you to make a contribution as well.  This organization has contributed so much to this community, our quality of life and our property values and has done it on a very small budget.  It is likely that they will have to do it with even less this year due to the economy, even though there is so much being planned.  Plus, the boat that they use for the water quality monitoring program is out of commission with a blown motor and the whole boat is in need of replacement (the boat was always too small for this work).

I know that these are scary times, but even scarier is the thought of what this area would be like if Friends of the Bay never existed. 

I have attached a response form for those who can manage to make a contribution.

Donation Response Form

Thanks,

Barry E. Lamb

Bayville