Support local journalism.

Now more than ever, local news matters.

Environment

Proposed water conservation law would require smart controllers for irrigation systems in Suffolk

by Aug 29, 2023
The law would require residential and commercial automatic irrigation systems to be equipped with a weather-based irrigation controller and at least one rain sensor or soil moisture device or an on-site weather station.

Town awaits input from state environmental regulators on whether to allow use of traction compound on runways for drag racing event

by Aug 22, 2023
The State Department of Environmental Conservation in 2021 advised against using the traction compound on the Calverton runway, citing environmental risks, and it's been prohibited for the drag racing event. The event promotor, who says the compound will make racing safer, is pushing for its use.

Yale researchers seek participants for study of 1,4-dioxane in Long Island drinking water

by Aug 11, 2023
Scientists studying the poorly-understood “forever chemical” 1,4-dioxane are looking for volunteers on the East End, especially those whose homes have private drinking water wells, for a study of the chemical’s potential health impacts.

After three fires this summer at commercial battery storage facilities in N.Y., Hochul creates working group for safety investigation

by Aug 4, 2023
Following the third fire at a battery energy storage facility in as many months in New York this summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul last week announced the creation of a state inter-agency working group tasked with ensuring the safety of battery energy storage systems across New York.

Republican county legislators block November referendum on 1/8% sales tax hike to fund advanced septic systems and sewer expansion

by Aug 1, 2023
Republican legislators voiced numerous reasons for their opposition to moving forward with the news 1/% sales tax, with the strongest objections centered on what they called an unfair allocation of the new tax revenues to sewers versus advanced septic systems.

County enters into consent judgment with U.S. Department of Justice to remove 46 illegal large-capacity cesspools at park facilities

by Jul 13, 2023
Suffolk County has entered into a consent judgment with the U.S. Justice Department requiring the county to remove and replace 46 large-capacity cesspools at county park facilities, including four at Indian Island County Park in Riverhead that were banned by the EPA in 2005. The county also agreed to pay a $200,000 penalty.

Air quality health advisory in effect Wednesday

by Jul 11, 2023
An air quality health advisory is in effect for the Long Island and New York City Metro regions tomorrow due to ozone pollution, state environment and health officials announced this afternoon.

Lease granted to solar developer for Youngs Avenue landfill site

by Jul 10, 2023
The Riverhead Town Board authorized a 25-year lease last week to allow the construction of a solar power facility on the Youngs Avenue landfill.

Lithium ion batteries from fatal NYC fire were transported and have been stored by Manorville environmental clean-up company

by Jul 7, 2023
Lithium ion batteries from an e-bike shop that caught fire and led to the death of four people in New York City were transported and have been temporarily stored by a Manorville environmental contracting and remediation company.

Air quality health advisory in effect until 11 p.m. Monday

by Jul 3, 2023
An air quality health advisory is in effect in the Long Island region until 11 p.m. for ground-level ozone.
RiverheadLOCAL