Supervisor Foley and members of the Town Board.
As some of you may know, the community of Yaphank is very concerned about the invasive plants in the Upper and Lower Lakes. During the past few months there have been meetings with various elected officials on the State, County and Town level to see if there are any options available to prevent the spread of and or the eradication of the invasive plants. Money has been allotted on all levels of government for studies.
I come before you tonight to ask that a resolution be introduce to form a coalition or task force of all interested parties. Just as a task force was formed to study the Forge River, I believe and other members of the community believe that the Carmans River and the Lakes need the same attention. There~re various groups that have agendas that are very different from what the community would like to see happen to the lakes. Some have suggested that all the dams be removed and that it become a free flowing river. Some have suggested it be dredged, and others have suggested that an herbicide be used to kill the plant.
The Carmans River, which includes the lakes, has been designated by NYS to be a Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River, therefore making it protected and having special regulations about what can and cannot occur in the corridor.
The river and the lakes are located in the Pine Barrens, with parts in the CGC and parts in the Core Preservation Area. Again any under taking to control or eradicate the invasive plants would be of regional significant and would need to go before the Pine Barrens
Commission.
The lower part of the Carmans River flows though the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, and any attempt to eradicate the invasive plants would possible affect this area.
So in closing, I would again ask that a resolution be introduced to form a coalition where all interested parties can come together to reach a consensus on how to clean and protect the lakes, to restore their natural beauty, and to help preserve and protect the entire Carmans River environment.
Johan McConnell
P.O. Box 623 • Yaphank 11980 • Phone: (631) 924-2241 • FAX: (631) 924-2236 • kesslerstone@optonline.net
The people of Yaphank want our lakes back. We want them cleaned up and protected for generations to come. By forming this coalition we hope to be able to work with all parties concerned toward this goal.
I first came to Yaphank in 1945. My family at that time bought a summer home that my wife and I still live in today.
As kids we grew up on the upper lake. We boated, fished and learned how to swim with the free lessons given by the Red Cross.
People come from all over to enjoy these two lakes. They can use them without having to pay for a permit or pay any fees. People who enjoyed them when they were kids now bring their kids to enjoy them also.
The lakes have become Yaphank.
There are a group of people who would lead you to believe that the way to clean up our lakes is by removing the dams at the upper and lower lakes. The people of Yaphank do not want this to happen.
We would like to present you with a petition of over 1200 names of people who want the lakes cleaned up and restored to there natural beauty.
Thank you
Robert kessler
We are committed to clean and protect our lakes, to restore there natural beauty, and to help preserve and protect the entire Carmen River environment.
P.O. Box 623 • Yaphank 11980 • Phone: (631) 924-2241 • FAX: (631) 924-2236 • kesslerstone@optonline.net
I am Audrey Kessler and I live on the upper lake in Yaphank We feel that the Town of Brookhaven should post signs educating people on the dangers of
transporting the Cobamba Weed and the Asian Milfoil weed from water body to water body. The Town of Brookhaven should post signs wherever people enter and exit any of these water bodies. The town should tell people that when they boat or fish on any body of water that is infested with
any of these aquatic plants they can transport the seeds or a portion of the plant on their boat or
equipment to another bodies of water and thus spread the plant further. Improved awareness increases our chance of locating unknown or new infestations before they spread further and become too big to control.
We need to tell people about these aquatic hitchhikers that they must rinse off their boats, trailers and fishing gear. We must protect Long Island's waterways Some of the waters that are infected with the invasive plants are ; Upper lake Lower lake
South haven county park Patchogue lake Artist lake
Doahue lake
Belmont lake state park And many more lakes in Nassau County Thank you Audrey Kessler
We are committed to clean and protect our lakes, to restore there natural beauty, and to help preserve and protect the entire Carmen River environment.