(transcribed)

 (Ed: this was written during the Gaffney Administration)

December 6, 2002

Brian J. Lowery
Oakdale, NY 11769

Suffolk County Dredging Committee
DPW Headquarters
Yapank Ave.
Yapank, NY  11780

Re: Grand Canal Dredging Project

Dear Sir:

As a 22-year Oakdale resident, I have witnessed the decline and decay of the Grand Canal.  This once pristine waterway was the focal point of the Idle Hour community, connecting the Great South Bay to the Connetquot River.  Because of its meandering passage through our quaint neighborhood, the Grand Canal has become a popular route of the boating public.  Its current state is that of a decayed, shallow, near stagnant body of water that has produced media-grabbing, mass "fish kills" over the last three years.  The rapidly deteriorating conditions of this once beautiful canal is evident not only to those whose properties border the canal, but by the community as a whole.

As a homeowner and taxpayer in this community, I am supporting any and all efforts to restore this canal to its proper state.  The obvious lack of concern and maintenance to the waterway by government agencies over the past several decades speaks a very clear message.  As a whole, environmental issues have been at the forefront of many projects in recent years.  We have seen the restoration of the Hudson River, the massive undertaking of a "Clean Long Island Sound" initiative, yet the seemingly simple task of maintaining the Grand Canal waterway, which is used and enjoyed by so many, has been completely discarded.

This project will resolve a host of environmental problems that have plagued our community.  With the funding now available from the State, I wholeheartedly encourage County and Town government to endorse this project.

Respectfully,

Brian J. Lowery