State recognizes Smithtown in its efforts to cut nitrogen pollution in waterways

Smithtown is planning to roll out several initiatives designed to reduce nitrogen flowing into local waters after being recognized by the state for its commitment to clean-water efforts. 

The town announced recently that it had achieved bronze status in the New York State Nitrogen Smart Communities Program. That voluntary program was launched in 2016 to tackle the issue of nitrogen entering Long Island’s groundwater and surface water from wastewater, stormwater runoff and fertilizers. It's led by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Long Island Regional Planning Council as part of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan. 

Smithtown passed a resolution in June 2023 to participate in the program. According to a statement from the town, the bronze designation "signals the town’s commitment to long-term stewardship of its coastal resources and sole-source aquifer." North Hempstead is the only other Long Island town to receive that distinction. 

As part of the program, Smithtown released an outreach plan this year designed to increase public awareness of nitrogen pollution and empower residents to join in, according to the town statement.

The plan includes educating the public about the dangers of nitrogen pollution, and building partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders to help protect water quality.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, too much nitrogen can generate toxic algal blooms that in turn can lead to degraded wetlands, fish kills and low oxygen conditions. 

John Cameron, chairman of the Long Island Regional Planning Council, said in a statement that Smithtown has taken “measurable proactive steps to protect the waterways which are central to the town's identity, and we look forward to working with them in educating their residents, community organizations and students on ways to reduce nitrogen pollution."

Town officials say Smithtown will be rolling out several initiatives to reach those goals. They include starting a nitrogen-smart community webpage and a social media campaign; public workshops and engagement events; and seeking participation from civic groups, homeowner associations, marinas, schools and other stakeholders.

Town spokesperson Nicole Garguilo said Monday the program is a way to quantify “the benefits of the various water quality programs that Smithtown excels in,” such as shellfish repopulation, stormwater management and sewer installation.

“The timing couldn’t be more ideal, given the major strides we’re making to sewer our three downtown business districts in close partnership with Suffolk County,” Garguilo said. “This program allows us to measure how those long-term investments will contribute to cleaner waterways and a healthier environment for future generations.”

In recent years, the town has received grants for several major sewer projects. In November of last year, it received $21.3 million in funding from the state for its sewer district expansion project in downtown Smithtown. In January 2024, Kings Park was awarded $10 million in state funding for the long-awaited sewer expansion project in that downtown area.

Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said in a statement the bronze designation reflected the town’s “unwavering dedication” toward protecting local waterways.

“Together, we are not just participating in this regional initiative, we are helping shape a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient future for generations to come,” he said.