Many of Suffolk County’s coastal wetlands face increasing challenges including invasive species, erosion, native vegetation die-back and increased mosquito activity. They have seen formation of “pannes” (permanently flooded low-lying areas on the marsh) which have caused loss of native vegetation in those areas. If left untreated, these low areas can lead to a permanent loss of the marsh’s protective functions and its ability to withstand storms and flooding. To address these issues, the Division of Vector Control uses Integrated Marsh Management (IMM)— a “comprehensive approach to ecological restoration and mosquito control”.

Marshes are vital in protecting communities from storm damage and rising water levels. They trap sediment, helping to raise the marsh surface and make it more resilient. However, when low-lying areas of marshes (called "pannes") collapse, native grasses struggle to regrow, threatening the marsh's ability to recover and leading to permanent habitat loss.

Integrated Marsh Management (IMM) is a natural solution to restore marsh health. By improving tidal flow and drainage, IMM reduces stagnant water and mosquito breeding areas without relying on chemical pesticides. Techniques like maintaining ditches, creating small channels, and connecting stagnant pools to larger water systems allow fish to naturally control mosquito larvae while improving the marsh’s overall resilience.

Benefits of IMM:

• Restores native marsh grasses, benefiting wildlife such as birds, fish, and marine animals.
• Enhances tidal flow, slowing erosion, protecting against storm surges, and filtering groundwater.
• Supports thriving ecosystems that safeguard nearby communities from storms and flooding
• IMM promotes healthier, sustainable wetlands that protect both nature and people.

Gardiner County Park wetland area (top) mid-construction (left – 10/29/2019) and post construction 5 years later (right – 7/3/24). West Sayville wetland area (bottom) immediately post construction (left - 3/8/23) and the same area 1.5 years later (right - 9/14/24)

West Sayville larval mosquito data collected before (top row and bottom left) and after (bottom right) implementation of runnel and micropool systems. The restored areas have not required aerial larvicide treatments post-restoration, whereas they were treated regularly prior to restoration.

Beaverdam – 2025

Suffolk County project with partial grant funding by NYS Dept of State to restore approximately 13 acres of tidal wetlands impacted by placement of dredge spoils located in Brookhaven Hamlet. Tidal exchange blockage by a berm of spoil has created drainage and mosquito breeding issues within the site which this restoration plans to alleviate.

Cupsogue Beach / East Islip Preserve / Scully Estate – 2024-2028

Based on the success of the an earlier HMGP wetland restoration project at Smith Point, Suffolk County has received a second wetland restoration grant through FEMA. This project, currently in the planning stages, aims to remediate approximately 140 acres of County owned wetland areas between three sites located in Westhampton, East Islip, and Islip

Accabonac Harbor

In 2017, Vector Control began working with community volunteers to collect larval mosquito data in the Accabonac Harbor of East Hampton with the goal of reducing the total volume of pesticides used within the community. To date, volunteers have mapped out key mosquito breeding locations in these coastal areas through the collection of several thousand datapoints. This has allowed Vector Control to make substantially more informed pesticide applications and significantly reduced the amount of pesticide used to address their mosquito issues with similar levels of control. Wetland restoration planning for Accabonac Harbor is currently underway.

Point O’Woods

In 2024, Vector Control trained members of the Point O’Woods Fire Island community to begin a similar volunteer mosquito sampling program within their community with the goal of lowering mosquito populations and reducing reliance on adult mosquito spraying. Preliminary wetland sampling within the community has revealed key breeding locations and has allowed Vector Control to expand their use of biological larvicides to treat the larval mosquito stage before emergence. Restoration planning is currently underway by the community and partners.

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge – 2003-2008

Vector Control worked in conjunction with US Fish and Wildlife to restore 95 acres of federally protected wetland area in Shirley, NY. The techniques employed during this project formed the basis of the IMM restoration techniques employed by Vector Control for all other recent projects.

Click Here to View the Werthiem Final Report

Gardiner County Park / Timber Point Golf Course / West Sayville Marina – 2016-2023

In response to the damage caused by superstorm Sandy, Suffolk County applied for and received a grant from the National Fish and Wild Foundation (NFWF) which allowed for the restoration of approximately 150 acres of coastal wetland area between Bayshore, Great River, and West Sayville.

Smith Point Marina – 2019-2023

A FEMA funded wetland restoration through their Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Restored 80 acres of coastal wetlands in Shirley increasing costal resiliency for adjoining communities critically affected by Super Storm Sandy

Suffolk County project with partial grant funding by NYS Dept of State to restore approximately 13 acres of tidal wetlands impacted by placement of dredge spoils located in Brookhaven Hamlet. Tidal exchange blockage by a berm of spoil has created drainage and mosquito breeding issues within the site which this restoration plans to alleviate.

Big Reed Pond – 2024

Replaced a collapsed culvert blocking a historic alewife fish run at Montauk County Park, just north of Big Reed Pond. The culvert is expected to improve both alewife and eel migration through the passage, as well as the overall health of 95 acres of watershed.

Indian Island County Park – 2024

NYSDEC grant to installed a culvert under the north road of the park, creating a tidal connection to the Peconic Bay. This Peconic Estuary Partnership project was ranked high for re-establishing 10 acres of historic wetland area within Indian Island County Park.

Learn more about Suffolk County Wetlands HERE.

Learn more about Suffolk County Salt Marshes HERE.