Pol: Babylon Town needs canal dredging

Local officials Thursday took a tour of Babylon Town canals to assess damage from Tropical Storm Irene and the need for dredging.

Legis. Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon) organized the tour and was joined by Suffolk Public Works Commissioner Gilbert Anderson, Brian Zitani from the town's Coastal and Environmental Management department, and Babylon Village Mayor Ralph Scordino.

Horsley said he was concerned because the dredging season, which runs from October to January, is almost over and Babylon Town has not had dredging in two years, despite residents' complaints about dangerous narrowings of waterways leading to the Great South Bay. By contrast, Horsley said, areas out east have had several dredging projects completed.

Thursday's tour, which included Strongs Creek and Frederick Canal, found some areas only had a depth of 18 inches.

"We've been written off," Horsley said. "Babylon's canals are as serious as any on the East End and have to be treated equally."

Anderson said all areas of the county are considered for dredging projects. He said eight projects are pending in Babylon Town but efforts have been hampered by increased requirements from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Another factor is the placement of dredged material. On the East End, he said, the material is often sand and there are plenty of areas to place it. But in the west, the material is often "muck" and it is harder to find a home for it, he said.

Anderson said he hopes to have at least a portion of the Babylon projects completed next season. But he cautioned the county can only perform "public benefit" dredging, which is limited to the mouth of canals.