Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilwoman Connie Kepert met with Senator Ken LaValle on January 29 at the historic Swezey Avey House in Yaphank to thank him for securing a $1.1 million New York State grant for additional work at Lower and Upper Yaphank Lakes.
In 2013, the Town completed dredging of Upper Yaphank Lake in an effort to remove a number of invasive species such as Cabomba and Variable Leaf Watermilfoil. The grant will be used to fund additional work by the Town to restore ecological function, recreation and beauty to both lakes.
All of these actions are part of a larger comprehensive effort to protect and restore the Carmans River by maintaining and restoring water quality and fisheries, removing non-native invasive plants and replacing aging infrastructure.
Councilwoman Kepert said: “ The Yaphank Lakes were created 280 years ago, and except for the major dredging project completed last season very little has been done to maintain the integrity of the lakes. This grant from Senator Ken LaValle is much appreciated and will help to maintain the integrity of one of Town of Brookhaven’s great recreational resources.”
“ As a Town, we have made a commitment to clean up these lakes and the work we do here will lead to a healthier Carmans River, ” added Supervisor Romaine.
[mappress mapid=”19835″]