www.Yaphank.org - Yaphank's community web site

July 31, 2007

Councilwoman Connie Keppert
Brookhaven Town Hall
One Independence Hill
Farmingville, NY  11738

RE: Upper & Lower Lakes of Carmen’s River, Yaphank NY 

Dear Ms. Keppert:

As a concerned resident of the town of Yaphank, I would like to present to you my proposal regarding the weed infestation, which is in particularly affecting the upper & lower lakes, which flow along the Carmen’s River in Yaphank.

My plan suggests we harvest all of the weeds in the upper and lower lakes.  This has been accomplished, with success, in many lakes across Suffolk County as well as our neighboring Artist Lake located in Middle Island.  We should harvest the lakes every two - three years; this would definitely help the river to run more freely.  In conjunction with harvesting I propose we regulate the flow of water by opening the sluice gates at all three lakes. The rush of water will force the river to flow more swiftly, creating a natural cleansing reaction (the sluice’s should be open for two – three days, twice a year) This function was implemented up until the mid 1970’s and has halted when the town of Brookhaven claimed ownership of the river bottom.

If you have the opportunity to take a canoe ride, I suggest you ride upstream of the upper lake, the stream has spread out into the marshlands, in the past decades it was a defined stream.  This tells us, that the stream is not able to flow as freely as it has in the past.

Dredging the lake is not the solution to this problem.  Dredging will not omit all of the water and weeds.  This is a spring fed lake, and it will be impossible to eliminate of all of the water.  Unless the lakes are completely dried out, the weed/plant will come back. Chemicals should not be an option, for they will be with us forever, and will have severe ramifications to the wildlife and natural springs, etc.

In conclusion I propose we harvest the plant and open the sluice gates - at all three lakes twice a year (as was previously done in the past).  I believe over time, this will help the lakes return back to their exemplary state!  An overwhelming number of Brookhaven Town Residents and myself want to keep our breathtaking lakes, which in addition are instrumental to our town’s history!

Sincerely,

Robert B. Kessler

cc: Hon. Kenneth P. LaValle
     Hon. Marc Alessi
     Hon. Steve Levy
     Legislator Kate Browning
     Town Supervisor Brian Foley
     Director John Turner
     Commissioner David Wood
     Commissioner Jim La Carrubba