Regional planner outlines Nitrogen Smart Communities program and invites Southampton participation

A representative of the Long Island Regional Planning Council urged the Southampton trustees to consider joining the Nitrogen Smart Communities program, a voluntary, five-step initiative to reduce nitrogen pollution that harms Long Island waterways.

Rachel Titus introduced herself as the program coordinator and said the program builds on the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan. She described the five steps: adopt a municipal pledge and appoint a coordinator; form an advisory task force; inventory local nitrogen sources; develop a reduction plan from an activity list; and execute activities to earn bronze, silver or gold certification. "Through participating in the program, you come to better understand your specific sources of nitrogen pollution and then commit to reduction activities based on those sources," Titus said.

Titus said the program provides tools including nitrogen-load modeling, worksheets, and an environmental bond act funding finder to help communities identify grants and complete activities. She noted current pilot communities and municipalities that have joined and encouraged coordination with villages and the town board where appropriate.

Trustees acknowledged the importance of addressing nitrogen but underscored limits of the trustees' authority, noting their jurisdiction generally begins at mean high water and that many implementation levers (septic upgrades, fertilizer regulations) fall to the town or county. Trustees offered to provide educational outreach materials, letters of support, and seats at advisory tables but said the trustees alone could not implement many of the program’s interventions.

Titus offered to follow up with materials and suggested staff- or town-level partners to carry forward implementation steps. The discussion closed with an agreement to share contact information and consider next steps with conservation and town staff.