Dear Suffolk County Official,

I recently requested access to recharge basins, also known as “Sumps”, in your county to complete research for my master’s thesis and after filling out paper work and sending many tedious emails, I was rejected. I was told there was too much risk involved. Although I could not get inside the basin to do research, I continued my work from outside the fences. Upon researching more, I found this in the New York State Geotechnical Design Procedure states,

“A recharge basin functions only temporarily and during infrequent rainfall periods. Consequently, it makes little sense for the area occupied by a designed depression to be unsuitable and categorically denied for other uses at other times. Conversely, the potential exists for a well-designed basin to be integrated into a pleasing scenic part of the roadside landscape, a local playing field, etc. (Geotechnical, 2015, pg 13).”

Recharge basins have the potential to be used as outdoor educational tools, ecological sanctuaries, passive parks, and playing fields all the while still performing their job. In 1995, in Nassau County, a sump was transformed into a bird sanctuary with the mission,

“to establish a local greenspace for the demonstration of environmental stewardship through education and volunteer community services.” (Dual, n.d.)

A portion of a recharge basin in Nassau county has been used for a soccer field since 1971 with more passive parks and field conversions since (Dual, n.d.).

The question then arises, why aren’t they being used for these purposes in Suffolk County? Why was I denied access to complete my research? Recharge basins in Suffolk County are surrounded with a fence and a locked gate with a sign saying “No Dumping”. Entering them is considered trespassing, but garbage still manages to find its way inside. Suffolk County has an average of over 1,600 people per square mile (U.S.). These recharge basins may be some residents only connection to nature. An initiative needs to be pushed to follow the lead of Nassau County and take full advantage of these natural areas.

While I realize opening these spaces to the public does involve risk, money, and man power the possible positive outcome surely outweigh that. During my research I was questioned multiple times by onlookers about what I was doing. Many of those people had no idea what these basins were even for. They just knew it was an area they weren’t allowed into or allowed to “dump” into, simply because of the signs on the fence. A sign that says “No Dumping” is clearly not enough as evidenced by the garbage that has been dumped. If community members knew what the recharge basins were and the importance of their maintenance, I believe less dumping would occur. This would make the transition from a locked gate, to something that is open access to the community an easier feat. The people of Suffolk County need to know what these fenced in spaces are and also be allowed to enjoy them.

Suffolk County has a unique opportunity. Not only are these basins a great place to study ecology, but a great place to connect with nature. As population size increases and green space decreases, recharge basins can provide community members with a link to not only nature but to their own water supply. People are more likely to protect the things they understand and can see. By fencing off recharge basins and making them untouchable, Suffolk County only increases the distance between its people and its land. If we want a better tomorrow, we have to start today. Give the people a place to learn, play, experience, and even research in nature.

 

Sincerely,

A Disgruntled Researcher looking to connect kids with trees

 

References

Dual Use of Storm Water Basins. Garden City Sanctuary. Retrieved from http://www.gcbirdsanctuary.org/our-history/sumps

Geotechnical Design Procedure. 2015. Design, Construction, and Maintenance or Recharge Basins. New York State Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/engineering/technical-services/technical-services-repository/GDP-8b.pdf

U.S. Census Bureau. 2015. State & Country Quickfacts: Suffolk County, N.Y.

Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/RHI105210/36103