Multi-canal clean-up nets over two tons of debris

Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Legislator Debra Mulé, and Senator Kevin Thomas, along with Operation Splash, Barrier Brewing, No Good Burger Joint, CanDock of Long Island, and Sanitary District #2, co-sponsored the fourth Annual Sonny’s Canal House and Operation Stop Polluting, Littering, and Save Harbors on Aug. 13.

Organized by Sonny’s Canal House, the only bar and restaurant on the water in Baldwin Harbor, more than 50 volunteers went out on 4 boats provided by Operation SPLASH, along with 6 jet skis and 4 kayaks. They used grabbers and gloves provided by Sanitary District #2, to remove approximately 2,000 pounds of pollution and garbage from canals in Baldwin, Freeport and Oceanside.

Long Island Bagel Café and No Good Burger Joint of Baldwin provided breakfast and lunch with Barrier Brewery of Oceanside and Long Island Strong of Suffolk donated raffle prizes and refreshments. Free event t-shirts were also provided to all the volunteers by Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Senator Kevin Thomas and Legislator Debra Mulé.

The event, which originally launched in 2017 and was last held in 2019, was an opportunity for the community to get out alongside local sponsors and volunteers, to remove an average of 2,000-3,000 pounds of pollution on a single day.

“I was proud to co-sponsor this very important event again this year, along with the sponsors and many dedicated volunteers who joined us to access our polluted waterways in removing plastic bottles and containers, Styrofoam, balloons, trash, cans, and so much more from our precious local shoreline,” said Assemblywoman Judy Griffin. “This clean-up made such an impact on me when I participated in 2018, that I became a co-sponsor in 2019, allocated funding for boat repairs, and was also able to secure funding for a new boat for Operation Splash.”

Senator Kevin Thomas was another official helping the cleanup, he expressed how perfect the weather was for an outside clean-up. “It was a beautiful day to join the Baldwin Harbor community for the 4th Annual Operation Splash & Sonny’s Canal House clean-up. Long Island’s bays and waterways are among the most beautiful in New York State and protecting them is important to all of our residents,” he said.

Operation SPLASH President Rob Weltner said how nice it was to meet local officials and work alongside them for the betterment of the waterways. “It’s always a good thing when our elected officials join us on our bay clean-ups. It’s a great way for them to experience Long Island’s Marine Environment and the amount of marine debris that’s out in our bays and salt marshes that affect us and the wildlife that calls it home,” he said.

Joint Owner of Sonny’s Canal House in Baldwin Harbor where the clean-up took place, Gareth Moore said he was inspired by the continuation of the clean-up and that this year would be the first that the restaurant is fundraising money for scholarships for Environmental Science students. Which will be a tradition going forward. “We’re extremely proud to see the continuation of our 4th Annual “Canal Cleanup” at Sonny’s Canal House this year in Collaboration with Operation Splash & Sanitation Dept 2 of Baldwin,” they said.

“This event was started in 2017, and each year our community comes together with the help of local sponsors and volunteers to remove an average of 2,000-3,000 pounds of pollution on a single day,” Moore concluded. Sanitary District No. 2 Chairman Carl DeHaney was there to help transport the debris far away from the water.

Part of numerous clean-ups over the year, DeHaney said he was glad to be part of an important environmentally impactful cleanup. Saying, that, “A 2020 study reported there are nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along United States roadways and waterways, which amounts to 152 pieces of litter per person in the US. Of that, 26 billion pieces of litter were along waterways.” Concluding that, “Removing this litter and debris is vital to keeping our environment clean.”