NY State Senator Alexis Weik is calling for the emergency dredging of Browns River in Sayville.
At a news conference last Thursday, she talked about the need to clear the waterway of accumulated silt and runoff to make it deeper and flow freely for years.
Also, Senator Weik started a petition asking the immediate dredging of the river. The last dredging was 17 years ago, according to her office.
“The safe navigability of the river is critical to ensure not only the safety of boaters, but also the economic viability of the businesses along the river and on Fire Island,” she said in a statement.
Because Browns River is a federal waterway, USACE is responsible for its dredging , but Suffolk County and Islip Town need to create a spoil site for the displaced material, the statement reads.
Weik was joined by State Senator Phil Boyle, Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo, Suffolk County Legislator Anthony Piccirillo, Islip Town Councilwoman Mary Kate Mullen and Robyn Silvestri, Executive Director of nonprofit Save the Great South Bay.