Legislation introduced by Councilwoman Connie Kepert to create the Carmans River Working Group was unanimously approved by the Brookhaven Town Board at its meeting on December 4. The goal of this working group is to find a safe way to eradicate invasive species that have invaded both the Upper and Lower Lakes in Yaphank..

   “The Carmans River is on life support because of the invasive species that have invaded the river,” said Councilwoman Kepert. Many of the wildlife species that inhabit the river including the native brook trout, the American eel, songbirds, reptiles, and amphibians are in danger.

   “Swift action needs to be taken to save Carmans,” said Connie Kepert.

   The Working Group will consist of the following individuals and organizations; New York State Assemblyman from the First District Marc Alessi, County Legislator from the Third District Kate Browning, Councilwoman Kepert, one member designated by the Brookhaven’s Division of Environmental Protection, one representative from the New York State DEC, one representative each from Suffolk County Health Services, Suffolk County Public Works and County Planning, one representative from South Yaphank Civic Association, one representative from the Yaphank Taxpayers and Civic Association, one representative from each of four interested not-for-profit non-governmental environmental organizations, and four residents of the Upper and Lower Lakes of the Carmans River Community, one of whom must be from the Lower Lake Community and one from the Upper Lake Community.

   The Town Council will appoint the Chairperson of the Working Group.