What is the Nitrogen Reduction Strategy?

EPA is implementing the Nitrogen Reduction Strategy to continue progress in reducing nitrogen (in parallel with continued state implementation of the 2000 Total Maximum Daily Load) as needed to achieve water quality standards throughout Long Island Sound, its embayments, and nearshore coastal waters. The Strategy recognizes that more work must be done to reduce nitrogen levels, further improve dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions and address other nutrient-related impacts on Long Island Sound. EPA’s work to reduce nitrogen complements efforts currently being undertaken through Connecticut’s Second-Generation Nitrogen Strategy, New York’s Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan, the Long Island Sound’s Study’s development of a new regional hydrodynamic and water quality model, Suffolk County’s actions to target priority areas for reduction nitrogen, and other State/Tribal Clean Water Act-related efforts.

Long Island Sound Nitrogen Reduction Dashboard

Click the two-headed arrow at the bottom right corner of the dashboard to open in full wide screen.

The Long Island Sound Nitrogen Reduction Dashboard, produced by EPA, under a contract with Tetra Tech (from 2016-2023), brings together technical studies work conducted by EPA to identify nitrogen target concentrations protective of water quality and designated uses in several of the Sound’s embayments. The interactive tool enables users to view the technical information from the subtask memos (see documents section on this page), and visualize associated data, as well as support management responses. The dashboard was produced using Microsoft Power BI.

Ongoing Technical Coordination and Collaboration

The Dashboard, and related technical studies, were developed under a contract with TetraTech, and with input from state and local partners participating on a technical advisory group.

EPA is working closely to share technical information, data, and approaches with other groups working on developing nitrogen reduction goals and strategies in the Long Island Sound watershed. Some examples include:

• NYSDEC Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP)
• CT DEEP Second Generation Nitrogen Strategy

During Tetra Tech’s work to support development of the Nitrogen Reduction Strategy, EPA held several public information sessions, including this webinar in November 2018, which highlighted two important deliverables.