The League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset recently held its annual fall fundraising event at the Village Club of Sands Point. Many league members, community leaders and guests attended.
Guest speakers Sarah Deonarine, executive director of the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, and Eric Swenson, executive director of the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee, provided a brief history of the harbors and explained their importance to the surrounding communities.
The waterways have improved significantly in the last few years, even to the extent that the harvesting of oysters, requiring the highest standards of cleanliness, is taking place in upper Hempstead Harbor. Kayaking, sailing, fishing and trail walking along the shores have all become popular activities. Swans, ospreys, herons and piping plovers are nesting in abundance along the waterways.
However, issues of pollution-control remain. Two critical examples are control of storm drain run-off and solid waste management. The speakers encourage continued sensitivity to all activities affecting our waterways.
