EDITORIAL: Keep the Carmans River clean

The Carmans River is one of Long Island's treasures, but the unusual purity of its waters is threatened by scores of development projects planned near the 10-mile-long waterway that flows from Middle Island to Bellport Bay.

Though Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko and environmental groups agree that the Carmans needs protection, they differ on how to define boundaries of the river's watershed to guard it from inadequately treated wastewater and stormwater runoff that often accompany development. Among the biggest potential developments is Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's proposal to build 1,300 units of affordable housing - as well as a hotel, arena, restaurants and offices - in Yaphank, a few hundred yards from the Carmans.

In October, the town took an important step by establishing the Carmans River Study Group, which will map the watershed by January. During the 90-day study, Brookhaven has suspended action on pending land-use decisions close to the river.

Lee Koppelman, the dean of Long Island's planners, will lead the study group of public officials, scientists, environmentalists and builders.

Just a few miles east of the Carmans, the highly polluted Forge River flows through Mastic. Its waters have long been contaminated by development lacking sewers. With that sad legacy in mind, it is critical for the Brookhaven study group to find a way to prevent the Carmans from suffering a similar fate. hN