Town Secures Over a Million Dollars in State Grants for Mill Pond and Hempstead Harbor Cove
Immediate Release - Contact: David Chauvin - January 20, 2006 (516) 869-7794
Port Washington, NY – Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Councilman Fred Pollack announced today that the Town of North Hempstead has received $1,139,500 million in funding for environmental restoration projects for Mill Pond and Hempstead Harbor Cove in Port Washington. The funding was announced as part of the Governor George E. Pataki’s award of $6.35 million in grants to local governments in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties for water quality and habitat improvement projects throughout Long Island Sound.
“The Town of North Hempstead has always made it a priority to aggressively go after grant funding to improve our waterfront and natural wetland habitats,” said Supervisor Kaiman. “Thanks to the State’s generous support we can continue to move forward with projects that will ensure the future of our natural ecosystems.”
“The Town has been committed to improving Mill Pond for several years. This latest grant now means that we will be able to move forward this year. I look forward to a new and improved Mill Pond and the benefits it bring to our community and to Manhasset Bay,” added Councilman Pollack.
$1,012,000 in funding will be used to restore and enhance Mill Pond, a tributary to Manhasset Bay, which is stressed by pollutants from runoff. The project will increase pond storage capacity, moderate water temperatures, and increase available oxygen for wildlife habitat and recreational uses in the pond, Manhasset Bay and Long Island Sound.
An additional $127,500 in funding will be used to restore shoreline along Hempstead Harbor Cove, reducing the amount of sediment and pollutants entering the harbor. The restoration will provide wildlife habitat and improve the aesthetics of the area.
Jennifer Rimmer of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington added, “Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington congratulates Supervisor Kaiman, Councilman Pollack and the Town of North Hempstead on receiving this important grant. For more than four years, Residents has been working with the Town to raise funds and get approval to rehabilitate this important and centrally-located pond. Residents is grateful for the major contribution from the Dot and Ed Slade Family Foundation for this project and will continue to seek other private contributions for the beautification of this historic and scenic Port Washington location.”