Friends of the Bay - Working to keep the oyster in Oyster Bay.

FOB held a public forum on Wednesday to present the results of the State of the Watershed study, highlight the study findings and get feedback from the public.

The materials are available to the public for download. NOTE: The powerpoint is 28mb.

• >>> download the document
• >>> download the presentation

Our water quality monitoring program is featured in October 2009 Wind Check Magazine.

• >>> read the full article

From the N.Y. Times: "Across the nation, the system that Congress created to protect the nation's waters under the Clean Water Act of 1972 today often fails to prevent pollution. The New York Times has compiled data on more than 200,000 facilities that have permits to discharge pollutants and collected responses from states regarding compliance."

• >>> see article and map

Oyster Bay, NY - Music Legend and Oyster Bay native Billy Joel graciously supported Friends of the Bay (friendsofthebay.org) by offering the organization his newest and largest of the six yacht fleet, The Audacious, a 95 Ft Inace expedition vessel for an exclusive maiden voyage fundraising cruise around Oyster Bay Harbor.

26 passengers will board The Audacious on Friday, September 4 and cruise the surrounding Harbor for three hours. The event helps Friends of the Bay raise much needed funds which will go towards helping the organization continue its mission to protect, preserve and restore the ecological integrity and productivity of the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary and the surrounding watershed.

• >>> read full press release

This announcement is to notify you that the proposed field work will be conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the week of August 24, 2009. Field crews will conduct as much of the assessments as possible from within the stream corridor and their cars and will make every effort to avoid private property.

• >>> read full press release

Friends of the Bay has released the 2007/2008 water quality report on the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary. Two years in the making, the Water Quality Report was produced in 2009. It presents and describes data and observations that were recorded by Friends of the Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program throughout 2007 and 2008.

• >>> download a PDF report

Many folks asked about the survey markers seen popping up on West Shore Road - here is the update from Legislator Diane Yaturo (from a recent mailer): "As most of you are aware, the sea wall along West Shore Road is in great disrepair. Nassau County has placed West Shore Road into its Capital Plan and has dedicated funding to make the necessary repairs that are so long overdue."

"There is no plan to widen West Shore Road, but NCDPW will work within the existing width to create drainage and make necessary repairs to the road. West Shore Road will not be significantly altered."

In late June / Early July bottleneck dolphins were seen visiting Hempstead Harbor.

This award recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to improving environmental quality during the prior year; have demonstrated a high level of achievement; and have created unique or location-specific benefits, produced results that are sustainable or reproducible, or increased public involvement in environmental action.

This award is a tribute to the high level of commitment and professionalism of our volunteers.

Our water quality monitoring program is featured in March 2009 Northeast Boating Magazine, here's what they had to say:

"The clarity of the water is due in large part to the huge numbers of shellfish that inhabit the bay and the efforts of a nonprofit group called Friends of the Bay (FOB). Engaged in what they call "citizen science," the members of FOB work hard to maintain the bay's clean water and namesake bivalves."

Frances Cerra Whittelsey

• >>> read the full article

Friends of the Bay has received word from Legislator Diane Yatauro's office that work will be commencing on the construction project at the Birches. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on April 16 at 10:30 am. Surveying crews are working now to prepare for the commencement of the construction of Phase One of the project.

Community members gathered in the OB town hall on Tuesday night to get the first glimpse of the proposed eastern waterfront plan. This is still early in the planning stage, (it is not the final plan) all comments received at the public hearing will be considered.

• >>> see the map
• >>> download the report powerpoint