A sweeping set of environmental recommendations aimed at restoring and protecting Manhasset Bay is moving forward as the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee prepares a new Water Quality Improvement Plan.
Manhasset Bay, a key part of Long Island’s North Shore, has long been both an environmental and economic resource. But advocates say its future depends on how well surrounding communities manage pollution and development in the years ahead.
Because the bay is part of a watershed, meaning water from surrounding neighborhoods drains into it, actions taken in one village can directly affect conditions across the entire bay.
The Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, made up of 11 villages along with Nassau County and the Town of North Hempstead, was created to coordinate those efforts.
At the February committee meeting, Nelson, Pope and Voorhis Project Manager Brianna Sadoski, Senior Partner Carrie O’Farrell, and Ecologist Lily Fowler presented a draft of the updated Water Quality Improvement Plan, outlining dozens of proposed actions to address pollution, habitat loss and climate-related risks. The meeting marked a key stage in the process, with residents encouraged to review the plan and provide feedback before it is finalized.
The updated plan builds on an earlier version completed in 1999 and is designed as a long-term roadmap spanning the next 20 to 30 years. Its primary goals include reducing pollution, improving water quality and preserving the bay’s natural resources while balancing recreational and economic uses.
The draft recommendations are wide-ranging, reflecting both regional challenges and site-specific concerns across the watershed.
Among the most significant proposals are expanded water quality monitoring programs, including more frequent sampling and real-time data collection to better track pollution trends. The plan also prioritizes reducing nitrogen and pathogen pollution, two of the most persistent threats to water quality, through measures such as expanding sewer connections and upgrading aging septic systems.
Stormwater management is another major focus. The committee proposed installing green infrastructure such as rain gardens, bioswales and permeable pavement to capture and filter runoff before it reaches the bay.
In addition, the plan calls for restoring natural systems, including wetlands, shorelines and native habitats. Shellfish seeding, such as oysters and clams, is also recommended as a natural way to improve water quality.
Sarah Deonarine, the committee’s executive director, said the bay has shown signs of improvement in recent years.
“Everything is improving,” she said, pointing to declining nitrogen levels and increasing oxygen levels, which are critical for marine life.
However, she noted that serious challenges remain — particularly high bacteria levels in some areas.
“Bacteria is a major issue,” Deonarine said. “That affects… things like swimming or taking shellfish… you’re not allowed because bacteria numbers are too high.”
In fact, it has been decades since shellfish harvesting has been allowed in Manhasset Bay, and restoring that use remains a long-term goal.
Another major component of the plan focuses on policy and coordination among municipalities.
The committee identified gaps in local regulations and recommended strengthening codes related to wetlands protection, wastewater management, fertilizer use and development practices. Officials also encouraged municipalities to adopt or update comprehensive plans to better integrate environmental protections.
Jody Kass Finkel, founder of Concerned Citizens of New York 03, raised issues tied to a proposed alienation of 2.48 acres of parkland at Kings Point Park for a private parking lot connected to the UMJCA Center currently under construction.
Kass Finkel said her group became involved due to what she described as a lack of transparency and insufficient environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, or SEQRA.
“It doesn’t say you can’t approve something. It just says it has to be an informed decision,” Kass Finkel said.
According to Kass Finkel, both the proposed parkland alienation and the construction of the United Mashadi Jewish Community of America Center could have significant impacts on the watershed, including increased flooding, loss of wetlands and buffer zones, and greater stormwater runoff due to expanded impervious surfaces.
She also pointed to potential impacts on Mitchells Creek, a tributary that drains into Manhasset Bay and runs through part of the affected property.
Kass said concerns extend to actions taken by the Village of Great Neck, which approved zoning variances allowing a larger building footprint and reduced parking requirements for the project. She questioned whether the full environmental impacts — including cumulative effects — were adequately considered.
Both Kass Finkel and Deonarine emphasized that coordination across municipalities is essential.
“You need coordination and cooperation from all the villages because once pollution hits the water, it’s a lot harder to get it out,” Kass Finkel said.
The plan also highlights the importance of wetlands, which act as natural filters and buffers against flooding.
Kass Finkel described wetlands as “natural infrastructure for flooding,” noting that areas such as Kings Point Park can absorb water “like a sponge.”
Deonarine added that wetlands help break up wave energy, filter pollutants and provide habitats for wildlife. However, she warned that Long Island has been steadily losing wetlands, a trend that could worsen with climate change.
Looking ahead, both officials expressed concern about stronger and more frequent storms.
“If they do nothing, the water quality will get much worse,” Kass Finkel said.
Beyond infrastructure and policy changes, the plan places strong emphasis on public education and community involvement.
Recommendations include expanding outreach on issues such as proper septic system maintenance, reducing fertilizer use and preventing litter. The plan also calls for increased signage and more opportunities for residents to engage in stewardship efforts.
During the meeting, residents raised suggestions ranging from involving teenagers in volunteer programs to concerns about the complexity of environmental permitting. Committee members acknowledged these challenges but said the plan is designed to provide both short-term and long-term options.
The draft recommendations are now available for public review, with comments being accepted through March 27 via email.
Sadoski said public feedback will be incorporated into the next phase, which will include a detailed implementation strategy outlining costs, timelines and funding opportunities. The plan itself is not directly enforceable and will depend on local municipalities choosing to adopt and implement its recommendations.
Deonarine noted that the plan can also help communities secure grants and funding for environmental projects.
Ultimately, Kass Finkel said the goal is not to stop development but to ensure it is done responsibly.
“We’re not anti-development… this is really about protection — balance,” Kass Finkel said.
While progress has been made, both officials and residents agreed that much work remains. The future of Manhasset Bay, they said, will depend on continued cooperation, and on whether communities take action before conditions worsen.
