In an effort to help clean up Reeves Bay in Flanders, the Peconic Estuary Program is kicking-off a pilot program that aims to get residents involved.
The new program, according to PEP, provides $500 in grant money to residents who agree to use native plants by installing rain gardens or conservation landscaping on their properties.
“This educational project will help homeowners reduce runoff from their property, which will help decrease the amount of pollutants ending up in our bays,” said PEP Director Alison Branco.
According to PEP, one of the factors negatively impacting water quality in the Reeves Bay estuary, aside from nitrogen from sewage, is stormwater runoff, which often contains nitrogen from fertilizers, pesticides, and other contaminants.
To reduce the problem, PEP said residents can help eliminate/reduce the use of potential contaminants and give stormwater a chance to be used by plants or be absorbed into the ground.
PEP said the Town of Southampton is supportive of the project and that if it is successful, PEP will expand it to other watersheds in the Town of Southampton.
All eligible homeowners will receive a notice by mail with details on how to participate.
Patch wants to know: Would you take advantage of this program? Comment below.