Score Criterion
16 Ecosystem Rarity (ER)One of several major embayments on the north shore of Long Island;rare in ecological subregion.
0 Species Vulnerability (SV)No endangered, threatened or special concern species reside in thearea.
20.5 Human Use (HU)Commercial oyster farming of statewide significance; recreationalfishery of regional significance. Additive division: 16 + 9/2 =
20.5.
16 Population Level (PL)Concentrations of American oyster are unusual in New York State.Also the most important waterfowl wintering area on the northshore of Long Island, especially for scaup.
1.2 Replaceability (R)
Irreplaceable.
SIGNIFICANCE VALUE = [( ER + SV + HU + PL ) X R] = 63.0
***SIGNIFICANT COASTAL FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT***
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
OYSTER BAY HARBOR
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT:
Oyster Bay Harbor is located on the north shore of Long Island, between Mill Neckand Cove Neck, in the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County (7.5' Quadrangles:Bayville, N.Y.- Conn.; and Hicksville, N.Y.). The bay is approximately 2500acres in size. The fish and wildlife habitat consists of the open water andwetland areas in the bay, extending from Bayville Bridge on the west to PlumPoint on the east, excluding portions contained in the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge (approximately 1800 acres). Portions of this habitat which are inthe National Wildlife refuge were not evaluated. These areas will be evaluatedand considered for inclusion in the near future. Most of Oyster Bay Harborranges from 6 to 30 feet in depth below mean low water, and has a tidal fluctuation of approximately 7 feet. The bay is bordered by dense residentialdevelopment and extensive recreational boating facilities, with only a few areasof undeveloped salt marsh remaining.
FISH AND WILDLIFE VALUES:
Oyster Bay Harbor is one of several major embayments on Long Island's northshore. This protected coastal bay is important to fish and wildlife throughoutthe year. Oyster Bay Harbor is the most important waterfowl wintering area(November - March) on the north shore. Mid-winter aerial surveys of waterfowlabundance for the ten year period l975-l984 indicate average concentrations ofnearly 1,600 birds in the bay each year (6,380 in peak year), including approximately 1,350 scaup (6,230 in peak year), along with lesser numbers of mallard,Canada goose, common goldeneye, bufflehead, oldsquaw, and red-breasted merganser.Waterfowl use of the bay during winter is influenced in part by the extent of icecover each year. Concentrations of waterfowl also occur in Oyster Bay Harborduring spring and fall migrations (March-April and October-November,respectively).
In addition to waterfowl use, Oyster Bay Harbor is a highly productive area formarine finfish and shellfish. The harbor serves as a nursery and feeding area(from April - November, generally) for striped bass, scup, summer flounder,bluefish, Atlantic silverside, menhaden, winter flounder, and blackfish. As aresult of the abundant fisheries resources in the area, and its proximity to themetropolitan New York area, Oyster Bay Harbor receives heavy recreational fishingpressure, of regional significance. Oyster Bay Harbor is also widely renownedas one of the most important oyster producing areas in New York State. Oystersare generally found in waters greater than 6 feet deep, with spawning occurringin early summer. Most of the underwater lands in Oyster Bay Harbor are certifiedfor shellfishing and are leased for commercial harvest (i.e., farming) of thisresource.
Some recreational collecting of oysters takes place in the area as well. Fiddlercrabs, ribbed mussels, and hard clams are also abundant in the area. The hardclam populations provide a commercial and recreational harvest of county-levelsignificance. Salt marsh areas and tidal flats surrounding Oyster Bay Harbor areimportant for maintaining the biological productivity of this ecosystem.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT:
Any activity that would substantially degrade the water quality in Oyster BayHarbor would affect the biological productivity of this area. All species offish and wildlife would be adversely affected by water pollution, such aschemical contamination (including food chain effects), oil spills, excessive
turbidity or sedimentation, sewage discharges, and waste disposal. It isessential that high water quality be maintained in this area to protect thecommercial shellfishery, through control of vessel waste discharges, sewageeffluents, and upland runoff. Excavation of new navigation channels should beminimized, and maintenance dredging activities should be scheduled in late fallor winter to minimize potential impacts on most aquatic organisms. Dredgespoils should be deposited in upland containment areas. Thermal discharges,depending on time of year, may have variable effects on use of the area by marinespecies and wintering waterfowl. Installation and operation of water intakescould have a significant impact on juvenile (and adult, in some cases) fishconcentration, through impingement or entrainment. Construction of shorelinestructures, such as docks, piers, bulkheads, or revetments, in areas notpreviously disturbed by development (i.e., natural beach or salt marsh), mayresult in the loss of productive areas which support the fish and wildliferesources of Oyster Bay Harbor.
KNOWLEDGEABLE CONTACTS:
Tom Hart or Andrew Milliken
N.Y.S. Department of State
Division of Coastal Resources &
Waterfront Revitalization
162 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231
Phone: (518) 474-3642
Harry Knoch, Wildlife Manager
NYSDEC - Region 1
State University of New York, Building 40
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Phone: (516) 751-7900
John Poole, Marine Resources Specialist IV
Bureau of Marine Finfish and Crustaceans
NYSDEC - Region 1
State University of New York, Building 40
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Phone: (516) 751-7900
Pieter VanVolkenburgh, Chief
Bureau of Shellfisheries
NYSDEC - Region 1
State University of New York, Building 40
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Phone: (516) 751-7900
Roger Spaulding, Manager
Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge
c/o Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 21
Shirley, NY 11967
Phone: (516) 286-0485
NYSDEC-Significant Habitat Unit
Wildlife Resources Center
Delmar, NY 12054
Phone: (518) 439-7486
COASTAL FISH & WILDLIFE HABITAT RATING FORM
Name of Area: Mill Neck Creek Wetlands Designated: March 15, 1987County: Nassau Town(s): Oyster Bay 7½' Quadrangle(s): Bayville, NY-Conn.
Score Criterion
16 Ecosystem Rarity (ER)One of the largest undeveloped wetland ecosystems on the northshore of Long Island; rare in ecological subregion.
0 Species Vulnerability (SV)Bald eagle (E) and osprey (T) frequently sighted in the area, butextent of use is not adequately documented.
18 Human Use (HU)Area contributes biologically to commercial oyster production inOyster Bay, of statewide significance; birdwatching area ofcounty-level significance. Additive division: 16 + 4/2 = 18.
6 Population Level (PL)One of the top 10 waterfowl wintering areas on the north shore ofLong Island, significant between county and regional level.Geometric mean: (4 x 9)½ = 6.
1.2 Replaceability (R)
SIGNIFICANCE VALUE = [( ER + SV + HU + PL ) X R] = 48.0
***SIGNIFICANT COASTAL FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT***
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
MILL NECK CREEK WETLANDS
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT:
Mill Neck Creek is a narrow coastal bay which empties into the western side ofOyster Bay Harbor, between Oak Neck and Mill Neck, in the Town of Oyster Bay,Nassau County (7.5' Quadrangle: Bayville, N.Y.-Conn.). The fish and wildlifehabitat consists of two wetland areas adjoining Mill Neck Creek, most of whichis included in the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The two areas are: anapproximate 120 acre area northwest of Mill Neck Creek, referred to as Oak NeckCreek; and Beaver Lake, which is located south of Mill Neck Creek, and isapproximately 60 acres in size. Oak Neck Creek is comprised of relativelyundisturbed salt marsh and tidal creeks draining into Mill Neck Creek. Much ofOak Neck Creek is owned as undeveloped county parkland (Mill Neck Preserve),bordered by dense residential development on the north and east sides, and bylarge estates and undeveloped woodlands toward the west and south. Beaver Lakeis a freshwater impoundment, approximately 3 feet deep, which drains into MillNeck Creek through a weir along Cleft Road. Beaver Lake is privately owned.
FISH AND WILDLIFE VALUES:
The Mill Neck Creek Wetlands are an integral part of the Oyster Bay Harborecosystem, which is one of several major embayments on Long Island Sound. OakNeck Creek is one of the largest undeveloped salt marshes remaining on the northshore of Long Island. Oak Neck Creek and Beaver Lake are important as restingand feeding areas for Oyster Bay Harbor's wintering waterfowl populations. TheMill Neck Creek area supports regionally significant wintering waterfowlconcentrations (November - March). Mid-winter aerial surveys of waterfowlabundance for the ten year period 1975-1984 indicate average concentrations ofapproximately 550 birds in the area each year (1,150 in peak year), includingapproximately 310 black ducks (650 in peak year), and 100 Canada geese (440 inpeak year) along with lesser numbers of mallard, scaup, canvasback, bufflehead,common goldeneye, American wigeon, mute swan, red-breasted merganser, andoldsquaw. Data on waterfowl populations in Beaver Lake for 1982-1984 indicateaverage concentrations of approximately 220 ducks each year (primarily mallard,black duck, and canvasback). Waterfowl use of Oak Neck Creek and Beaver Lakeduring winter is influenced in part by the extent of ice cover each year.Concentrations of waterfowl also occur in these areas during spring and fallmigrations (October-November, and March-April, respectively). In addition towaterfowl use, many other fish and wildlife species inhabit the Mill Neck CreekWetlands area. Wintering bald eagles (E) have been reported using these wetlandson several occasions in recent years. This is one of the few areas on LongIsland where eagles have been frequently sighted during mid-winter. Thesewetlands provide suitable nesting habitat for yellow-crowned and black-crownednight herons, green-backed heron, Canada goose, mallard, black duck, gadwall,fish crow, red-winged blackbird, sharp-tailed sparrow, and possibly least bittern(SC). The area is also used for feeding by osprey (T), herons, egrets, shorebirds, and passerines. Oak Neck Creek serves as nursery and feeding habitat(from April-November, generally) for various marine fish species, such as scup,bluefish, Atlantic silverside, menhaden, winter flounder, and blackfish. Thiswetland area is also important because it contributes organic matter andnutrients to New York State's most significant commercial oyster beds, locatedin Oyster Bay Harbor.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT:
Any activity that would substantially degrade the water quality in the Mill NeckCreek wetlands would affect the biological productivity of this area. All
species of fish and wildlife would be adversely affected by water pollution, suchas chemical contamination (including food chain effects), oil spills, excessiveturbidity or sedimentation, and waste disposal. Elimination of open water orwetland areas, through excavation or filling, would result in a direct loss ofvaluable habitat area. Alteration of tidal patterns in Oak Neck Creek could havemajor impacts on the fish and wildlife species present. Efforts should be madeto maintain high water quality in this area, to protect the Oyster Bay Harborshellfishery.
KNOWLEDGEABLE CONTACTS:
Tom Hart or Andrew Milliken
N.Y.S. Department of State
Division of Coastal Resources &
Waterfront Revitalization
162 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231
Phone: (518) 474-3642
Harry Knoch, Wildlife Manager
NYSDEC - Region 1
State University of New York, Building 40
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Phone: (516)751-7900
Roger Spaulding, Refuge Manager
Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge
c/o Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 21
Shirley, NY 11967
Phone: (5l6)286-0485
John Poole, Marine Resources Specialist IV
Bureau of Marine Finfish and Crustaceans
NYSDEC-Region 1
State University of New York, Building 40
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Phone: (516) 751-7900
Pieter VanVolkenburgh, Chief
Bureau of Shellfisheries
NYSDEC - Region 1
State University of New York, Building 40
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Phone: (516)751-7900
NYSDEC-Significant Habitat Unit
Wildlife Resources Center
Delmar, NY 12054
Phone: (518)439-7486
