On Tuesday, August 10, the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) creating an Adopt-A-Shoreline program that will raise money, through corporate sponsorships, to protect our local waterways. The Suffolk County Department of Public Works will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to enter into an agreement with a qualified organization to implement the program, which is modeled after the successful Adopt-A-Highway program currently in place.

The Adopt-A-Shoreline program will raise funds by recruiting national and local business sponsors that will pay for signs containing their names and logos, aligning them with a positive environmental message and enhancing their image as good corporate citizens. In exchange for 50% of the sponsorship revenues, Suffolk County will allow a limited number of the stylized signs to be placed on appropriate roads and parking lots throughout the county. The use of the funds received by Suffolk County is flexible. The only requirement is that they be used for urban and storm water runoff pollution prevention activities, such as catch basin inserts, high-technology cleanup solutions, watershed cleaning, litter control, dry weather diversions, and water quality monitoring.

Out of the 50% that the organization keeps, they will pay for the creation, installation and upkeep of the signs, as well as for an educational outreach program. Suffolk County will also be provided with comprehensive, visually appealing educational materials, as well as television and radio public service announcements—all at no cost to taxpayers.

“This is a great program to improve Suffolk County’s shorelines and drinking water, without incurring any costs to Suffolk residents,” Cooper stated. “Adopt-A-Shoreline brings together business, local government and the public to resolve serious environmental problems. It provides a win-win solution for everyone who has a stake in the future of our waterways.”