The Health of the Sound: What You Should Know Save the Sound publishes the biennial Long Island Sound Report Card to track and report on the ecological health of the Sound, including trend lines showing patterns over the past 12 years. In this year's report, for the first time you'll also find data for many of the bays found along the margin of the Sound. Nitrogen pollution remains a major threat to a healthy Sound. The impact is often more visible in stressed bays which experience episodic fish die-offs and large seaweed blooms. Readers may be surprised that water quality in the bays cannot be predicted by water quality in adjacent portions of the open Sound. For example, Wequetequock Cove in the relatively pristine Eastern Basin (A+) receives a D-, while New Rochelle Harbor, situated on the border between the Western Narrows (F) and Eastern Narrows (C), receives a B-. This emphasizes the importance of local conditions and the role communities play in degrading or improving their coastal water quality. Coordinated investments in conservation and improvements in wastewater treatment have helped clean the Sound over the past decade. Despite this, the open waters of the Sound show a slight decline in some regions when compared with the 2018 Report Card. These changes are associated with higher levels of chlorophyll a and dissolved organic carbon, likely attributable to annual changes in weather. Because rising temperatures exacerbate water quality problems, it's even more critical we continue to reduce nitrogen input in the coming years in order to protect and continue the progress we have made in improving water quality in the Sound. We envision this Report Card empowering community members and elected officials with information you can use to protect and restore Long Island Sound for all who call it home. Dive into the Data and Take Action on SoundHealthExplorer.org � SWIMMABLE �- FISHABLE tb LIVABLE EXPLORE ABOllT TAKE ACTION DONATE Sherwood Island State Park Beach LEARN MORE 2079 Beach Grades displayed in the NEW Sound Health Explorer Good data can engage communities and drive action. Sound Health Explorer is an interactive tool that couples recent and historic data from your local bay, beach, or open Sound region with things you can do that will help make a difference. Explore how sea level rise will impact your community. Explore the health of Long Island Sound at SoundHealthExplorer.org. Western Narrows � Received an F (44%), similar to 2017 (45%), with a "variable" 72-year trend. Chlorophyll a and water clarity grades are declining while DOC is improving. Efforts have reduced nitrogen load to this region; however, our changing climate, population, and development are continuing challenges. 0 O.S Eastern Narrows � Received a C (74%), a decrease from 2017 (82%), primarily due to worsening chlorophyll a. Fluctuating weather conditions likely caused the 72-year trend shift from "improving" to "variable." Vigilance is needed to ensure the gains here aren't lost to unchecked development and climate change. _J Western Basin � Received a B (86%), a slight decrease from 2017 (92%), primarily due to worsening chlorophyll a. Similar to E. Narrows, changing weather conditions likely caused the 72-year trend shift from "improving" to "variable." This area is less developed than the Narrows but is still densely populated. Central Basin c! Received an A (95%), similar to 2017 (96%). Water quality has been stable over the past 72 years and is consistently supportive of marine life. It is the largest area of open water contained in the Report Card and is well-flushed with water from the Atlantic Ocean. Eastern Basin c! Received an A+ (99%), similar to 2017 (700%). Water quality has been stable over the past 72 years, never dropping below an A. This region has a much lower coastal population with large tracts of undeveloped land. Being adjacent to the ocean, it has strong tidal exchange. l Kliom.-t..-1 Connecticut New Jersey Western Basin NewYork Wester Narro Long Island How Are The Scores Calculated? Save the Sound and its Science Advisors grade water quality indicators using scientifically derived scales developed with a Technical Advisory Committee of scientists and water managers from agencies around the So und. Some indicators are used for both the Sound and the bays while others are unique to the deeper Sound or the shallower bays, reflecting the differences in these types of systems. For more information on the scoring methods, visit: www.sou nd hea lthexplorer.org/fishable/ KEV .) 2019 Season Grades � (90-100%) --(80-90%) (70-80%) --(60-70%) --(0-60%) 12 Year Trend � c! Improving Stable � Variable � Declining Why Are Bays Different? Our bays differ from the deeper waters of the Sound and from each other. Their shapes, sizes, and depths; the rivers that feed them; and their coastal population and land use practices all impact their water quality. They are shallower areas where light often reaches the bottom, allowing nuisance seaweed to flourish when nitrogen from their streams and rivers is high. Water moves through each of them differently, with some very open to and influenced by the deeper Sound waters and others less so. Participants gathering marine debris during the 2079 International Coastal Cleanup at Greenwich Point, Connecticut Take Action Our waterways are a mirror of how we live on the land, so you have a direct role in the health and well-being of the Sound. Join the movement to protect and restore Long Island Sound by taking these important actions. iii. Reduce Water Usage • Lighten the load at overtaxed water treatment plants and reduce wear and tear on pipes. 0 Maintain Your Sewers .lillt Private sewer lines and septic systems should be regularly inspected, repaired, and pumped out. Install septic systems that remove nitrogen. � Keep Litter Out of 'It Waterways \':J straws, Use less plastic. Reusable bags, water bottles, and cups keep harmful plastics out of oceans and away from marine life. YP/ant Native Native plants reduce water usage in yards, help filter pollutants along waterways, and provide food and shelter to wildlife. � Make Your Voice Heard �� lll ui Tell elected officials you want policies that support clean water. Use your purchasing power to reward companies that put the environment first. Eliminate or Reduce Fertilizer Use Use half the amount, only around Labor Day or Memorial Day. Leave grass clippings on the lawn as a natural fertilizer.