Brown Tide

1. No net increase in western estuary.  Immediately prevent net increases in nitrogen loading to the surface waters of the western estuary (Peconic River and Flanders Bay) to prevent worsening of current dissolved oxygen (DO) stresses in the marine surface waters of the area.
2. Long-term reductions in western estuary.  Develop and implement a long-term nitrogen load reduction strategy to the western estuary, to optimize surface water conditions for dissolved oxygen, with ancillary consideration of potential benefits to submerged aquatic vegetation (especially eelgrass) habitat.
3. Eelgrass habitat optimization in shallow water.  Maintain and, where cost-effective, improve conditions with respect to nitrogen (and related chlorophyll-a, light extinction, and possibly other parameters) in shallow waters (less than three meters) to optimize eelgrass habitat.
4. Water quality preservation in eastern waters.  Implement a “water quality preservation” policy in eastern estuary waters (east of Flanders Bay) to prevent degradation which could adversely impact the high quality of those surface waters.
5. Subwatershed management.  Focus on characterization of peripheral creeks and embayments and management of their subwatersheds; optimize surface water quality in these areas, which are often highly productive but poorly flushed and subject to environmental stresses.
6. Load allocation in the entire watershed.  Develop and implement a load allocation strategy for point and nonpoint sources in the entire estuary, which accomplishes the above objectives.

1. Preserve and enhance the integrity of the ecosystems and natural resources present in the study area so that optimal quantity and quality of fish and wildlife habitat and diversity of species can be assured and conservation and wise management of the consumable, renewable natural resources of the estuary are promoted and enhanced.
2. Protect and enhance biogeographical areas within the Peconic watershed with concentrations of high quality spawning, breeding, feeding, and wintering or seasonal habitat for shellfish, finfish, waterfowl, shorebirds, anadromous fish, and rare plant, animal, and natural communities.
3. Protect and enhance the ecosystems and the diversity of ecological communities and habitat complexes throughout the system, particularly tidal wetlands, eelgrass meadows, and beaches and dunes by preventing or minimizing loss, degradation, and fragmentation and by maintaining and restoring natural processes essential to the health of the estuary and its watershed.
4. Restore degraded habitats to maintain or increase native species and community diversity, provide connectivity of natural areas, and expand existing natural areas.
5. Foster recreational and commercial uses of the Peconic Estuary that are sustainable and compatible with protection of biodiversity.
6. Protect and enhance species which are endangered, threatened, or of special concern throughout the system by mitigating stresses to these species and ensuring essential habitats crucial for their survival.
7. Promote coordination and cooperation among Federal, state, and local governments and stakeholders to maximize protection, stewardship, and restoration of the Peconic Estuary.
8. Develop and carry out an estuary-wide research, monitoring, and assessment program to guide and evaluate management decisions concerning the estuary and to ensure management and policy decisions are based on the best available information.

1. To minimize heath risks due to human consumption of shellfish.
2. To promote, to the maximum practicable extent, the social and economic benefits which have been associated with the Peconic Estuary system.
3. To maintain the current status of certified (seasonally and year-round) shellfish beds and re-open uncertified beds by eliminating or reducing pathogen (indicator) inputs to the Peconic Estuary System.
4. To minimize the closure of bathing beaches in the Peconic Estuary while adequately protecting human health.

1. Measure the levels of toxics in the environment to discern trends in environmental quality and to determine the effectiveness of management programs.
2. Minimize human health risks due to the consumption of shellfish, finfish, and drinking water.
3. Protect and improve water and sediment quality to ensure a healthy and diverse marine community.
4. Eliminate where possible, and minimize where practicable, the introduction of toxic substances to the environment, through regulatory and non-regulatory means.
5. Where toxic contamination has occurred, ensure clean-ups occur quickly, and according to the most appropriate and stringent environmental standards.

1. Compile a Geographic Information System (GIS) database of lands already identified for protection in the Peconic Estuary watershed by various levels of government.
2. Apply the PEP criteria developed to achieve water quality and habitat protection goals for the Peconic Estuary to land available for development in the Peconic Estuary watershed.
3. Determine the degree to which Community Preservation Fund (CPF) plans address PEP watershed management needs.
4. Identify additional parcels, not on CPF protection lists, appropriate for estuarine and watershed protection, satisfying the PEP land prioritization criteria.
5. Estimate funding needed for land protection, quantify benefits (where feasible), and evaluate funding sources available for that protection.
6. Involve a broad cross section of stakeholders in the process.
7. Accelerate land protection in the Peconic Estuary.
8. Coordinate protection recommendations, to the extent possible, with the protection recommendations of the Pine Barrens and special groundwater protection area initiatives.
9. Integrate and coordinate the PEP Critical Lands Protection process with Smart Growth and Sustainable Development tools, initiatives, and ordinance modifications, etc. to assist communities in assigning development to appropriate areas.
10. Develop a strategy for the management of underwater lands which preserves and enhances the region’s critical natural resources.

1. Improve the understanding of human interactions with, and impacts on, the estuary.
2. Promote action-oriented stewardship of the system's resources.
3. Increase awareness of the Peconic Estuary as a regional and national resource.
4. Increase communication and cooperation among the estuary’s many and diverse stakeholder groups.
5. Engender support for the PEP CCMP and its recommended management actions.

1. At a minimum, continue to fund Federal, State, County, and local programs at current levels.
2. Aggressively seek additional public and private funds.
3. Utilize innovative financial sources and incentives to fully implement the CCMP.

1. Create a stable and effective management structure for CCMP implementation.
2. Ensure widespread public agency participation/representation and use existing authorities to the maximum extent possible.
3. Develop and implement an integrated long-term monitoring plan for water quality and habitats/living resources issues with a coordinated data management strategy.
4. Track the progress of CCMP implementation (commitments, outcomes, and environmental effects), providing routine reporting and allowing for refining of management approaches.