Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine provided statements speaking to the progress of the Smithtown Stump Pond’s restoration on Thursday, April 24th.
The dam is one of the major casualties of the Aug. 2024 superstorms that ravaged water body woodland sites and suburban communities alike. Its destruction caused Blydenburgh Park’s Stump Pond to drain entirely.
“From the minute we lost this dam and the historic Stump Pond, I have remained committed to seeing the dam rebuilt and bringing back this storied body of water,” said Romaine. “Stump Pond is a centerpiece of this community and one of the jewels of the Suffolk County parks system.”
Legislator Leslie Kennedy, out of the 12th Legislative District, added that repair of the historic dam has been one of her personal top priorities.
“I’m grateful to the County Executive and the Department of Public Works for their commitment and progress to make the dam stronger, more durable, more environmentally friendly than before and for the efforts to keep our community informed on this important project,” she said.
Per the determined tandem’s joint update: The Suffolk County Department of Public Works will collaborate with state federal authorities to obtain permits and funding for the project. Various prongs of engineering services have already been retained.
Thus far, surveys and geotechnical “borings” have been completed. Data logging to monitor tributary inflows has also transpired. The watershed has been mapped to inform hydrologic modeling. And a preliminary meeting was held between the County contractors and the NYSDEC Dam Safety Division.
For the project to move forward, the following permits are required:
- NYSDEC Article 24 Freshwater Wetland & Tidal Wetland permits
- NYSDOS Consistency Concurrence
- SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) concurrence
- NYSDEC Dam Safety approval
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) permit
“We have made tremendous progress with this project. These things take time, but rest assured, this is a priority for this administration,” Romaine added.
“I am sure that we will one day welcome Stump Pond back to our community.”