Community Corner

Cleanup Planned for Massapequa Lake

County obtains permit to fight harmful weed.

Nassau County workers and dozens of volunteers are planning to cleanup Massapequa Lake and get rid of a plant that can be harmful to natural habitats.

A cleanup event will take place at the lake from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, County Executive Ed Mangano's office announced Tuesday.

Workers from the county and the Town of Oyster Bay will focus on ridding the lake of water chestnut an aquatic plant that has been appearing in the lake in recent years.

“Cleaning Massapequa Lake and ridding it of this invasive plant is an important step in keeping Massapequa beautiful," Mangano said.

Although officials said the lake is healthy as are the fish and water fowl that call it home. The growth of water chestnut can pose a long term threat to their habitat.

The plant can form dense  floating mats, which can limit light and reducing oxygen levels in the lake, according to the National Park Service website. This can  be harmful to fish and is of little value to waterfowl. Water chestnut plants can limit boating and can cause injury if stepped on.

The county has received a five-year permit from the state Department of Environmental Conservation for the weed pull.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto has offered to send an aquatic weed harvester to the lake, county officials said.  The harvester waill assist in pulling the water chestnut.

Volunteers will pull the plants into boats and the weeds will be carted away.

The cleanup effort "is a great example of the good things that can happen when dedicated residents work with a responsive government,” Said Nassau County Legislaror Michael Venditto, R-Massapequa, who will be on hand for the cleanup.

THe event is open to all to volunteer, residents must register with the Nassau County Department of Public Works by emailing mmartino@nassaucountyny.gov.





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