SCUDDER'S POND RESTORATION PROJECT GETS UNDERWAY; GOAL IS A CLEANER HEMPSTEAD HARBOR

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December 22, 2013 --  After having secured $2.3 million dollars in federal and state grants, and a $200,000 contribution from the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, the Village of Sea Cliff has begun restoration work on Scudder's Pond on Shore Road. 

The pond is a New York State regulated tidal and freshwater wetland that acts as a filter for run-off into Hempstead Harbor, and so once completed, the $2.6 million dollar project should help to improve the harbor's water quality.  The pond was last dredged in 1979.

There are several facets to this winter's restoration work, which has been contracted out to Galvin Brother, Inc. of Great Neck, a company that specializes in these type of projects. The phragmites, an invasive species of plant that covers much of the shoreline will be removed, and sediment will be dredged from the pond, bringing it closer to its original size and depth. New vegetation will be planted along the slopes to stabilize the shoreline, and the two weirs (low dams) that control the pond's water level will be replaced.  In addition a new storm water interceptor will be installed on Littleworth Lane to reduce the amount of sediment entering the pond from runoff.

Before work could begin, the Village, with the help of the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, was able to secure grants from the Federal and State governments, as well as the appropriate permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.  The Village will be contributing $140,000 to the project. 

In addition, easement agreements had to worked out with nine neighboring homeowners and the North Shore Country Club.  In order to avoid interference with the golf season, work could not begin until after November 1st, and must be completed by April 30th.  


Sea Cliff Village Administrator John Mirando explained that if it appears on April 15th that the work will not be completed by the April 30th deadline, the project site will be secured, cleaned up and put on hold until the following November.  However, Mr. Mirando said that "the project is moving along very rapidly and the contractor is confident he will be done by April 30th."