Mastic Beach, New York – Today, Legislators Horsley and Browning spearheaded a new initiative to develop sewers in Suffolk County by announcing their intent to explore a public-private partnership for a sewage treatment plant serving the Montauk Highway Business District, the Neighborhood Road Business District, the Mastic Road Business District, and, most importantly, the Forge River and its estuaries.
Such a partnership will be studied in cooperation with the community and private investors in order to achieve the construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) with private funding that may be later assumed by Suffolk County.
Horsley stated, “In the absence of federal and state funding for wastewater infrastructure, it is incumbent upon local officials to find new and cost effective measures to address the dearth of sewering on Long Island. Today, with cooperation from the private sector, Suffolk County is putting forward a plan to end nitrogen pollution in the Forge River, and simultaneously boost the value of downtown retail properties who are in desperate need of revitalization and enhanced wastewater infrastructure.”
Browning stated, “It is only with the support of a heavily invested community that such an innovative public-private initiative may become a reality. It is very important to understand that many phases of this project will require strong support from residents who wish to see our river restored and our downtown infrastructure renovated. In supporting the assessment of a private sewage plant for future public incorporation we are engaging in the first step towards the much needed wastewater infrastructure this community deserves, and I am proud to say we are doing so without raising taxes.”
Under a public-private proposal being studied by Horsley and Browning an initial sewage treatment plant (STP) could be developed utilizing private funding to treat wastewater associated with a proposed senior development community, and 53,000 square feet of retail. Under such a proposal 10-acres could be set aside for the creation of a private sewage treatment plant with at least 70,000 gallons of treatment capacity, or more.
To explore such a rare public-private partnership, Horsley and Browning will cosponsor a resolution directing the Depart of Public Works to assess how to take over a private district for conversion into a public sewer district. Horsley and Browning have directed that this study be conducted in house, and within the County’s operating budget. The result would be a sewage treatment plant to encompass the William Floyd Parkway from Montauk Highway south to the Neighborhood Road Business District, and east to the Forge River and associated estuaries.
In addition the economic impact to the community may be astounding. In 2007, a similar wastewater project, set aside 82,000 gallons per day of treatment capacity resulted which studies show may represent an economic boon of $72 million in construction costs, $160 million in regional income increases, and $17 million in new sales tax revenue to the local economy. In short by advancing a public-private partnership, and an associated 70,000 gallon treatment capacity, the three-business districts may end up benefiting from an economic boon of as much as $215 million. In exploring this initiative Horsley and Browning stressed the enthusiastic federal and community support that has been demonstrated.
Senator Schumer writes, “I will continue my ardent support of federal sewer infrastructure funding as it is the critical factor in the economic revitalization of the Shirley-Mastic area.”
Congressman Bishop writes, “ As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have been working to increase federal funding for Long Island’s sewage infrastructure. It is vital that local and federal efforts combine to expand and improve our infrastructure. The study of feasibility of a new sewage district will provide valuable information about how best to serve local sewage needs.”
Susan Wischhusen, project coordinator for Save the Forge River, Inc. stated, “The lack of infrastructure in the Mastic Shirley area has prohibited us from being able to economically revitalize our community. Now, that same lack of infrastructure has led to the Forge River being one of the most eutrophic rivers in the world. We need the county to make an investment into our community by installing dry sewer lines while the roadwork on Montauk Highway is being completed.”
Beth Wahl, President, William Floyd Community Summit, “The need for sewers in the Tri-Hamlet area is an absolute necessity if we are to see economic growth for our downtown business districts. It is imperative that we pursue every opportunity to advance the creation of a sewage treatment plant, including efforts to install dry sewer lines at the time of the reconstruction of Montauk Highway in anticipation of this much needed sewer district.”
Mark Smothergill, President, Chamber of Commerce Mastic-Shirley, stated, “Our business community cannot continue to ‘just survive,’ that is why we must start this path towards a sewer district. In the end it is they only chance for our businesses and downtowns to actually thrive.”
Legislator Browning concluded, “I want to thank the civic leaders and local residents who work closely with my office to improve our quality of life. Sewers are vital to revitalizing our downtowns, improving economic development and saving our waterways. We are here today to stand up and say that our community needs this and wants this. The presence of virtually all our civic leaders, environmentalist, elected officials, and business owners shows the importance of this endeavor the broad support it has here.”
