NASSAU & SUFFOLK COUNTY · LONG ISLAND

    Environmental Services & Wetland Restoration on Long Island

    Long Island properties sit on top of wetlands, ponds, creeks, bays and a sole-source aquifer, and the rules that protect them are strict. Got Bamboo helps homeowners, builders and property managers delineate wetlands, restore damaged waterfront and wetland areas, and repair ponds, bulkheads and drainage systems, while working through NYSDEC, town and village requirements.

    LAND. WATER. BOUNDARIES.FIELD NOTES / 06
    Wetland, planted buffer and upland landscapeA conceptual cross-section shows water at a wetland edge, grasses in a planted buffer, and an upland tree. A field flag marks a conceptual boundary. No regulatory distance or construction specification is depicted.WETLANDBUFFERUPLANDBOUNDARIES DETERMINED IN THE FIELD
    Understand the boundary before planning the work.CONCEPT ILLUSTRATION · NOT A SITE PLAN
    LONG ISLAND · SINCE 2010LICENSED & INSUREDCALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

    KNOW WHERE THE BOUNDARY IS

    Wetland Delineation Surveys

    A wetland delineation identifies and flags the exact boundary of a wetland on your property based on soils, vegetation and hydrology. That line determines where you can build, clear, grade or install a septic system, and where you’ll need a permit.

    What a Delineation Includes

    • Field evaluation of soils, vegetation and hydrology
    • Flagging of the wetland boundary in the field
    • Coordination with a surveyor to map the flagged line on your site plan
    • A written report to support permit applications or a jurisdictional determination

    NEW YORK’S CHANGING RULES

    Why Delineation Matters More Than Ever in New York

    As of January 1, 2025, NYSDEC’s freshwater wetland jurisdiction is no longer limited to the wetlands shown on the old state maps. The maps are now informational, and more small wetlands can be regulated if they meet the state’s criteria for unusual importance.

    Most regulated freshwater wetlands carry a 100-foot adjacent area, and starting in 2028, the size threshold for automatic state jurisdiction drops from 12.4 to 7.4 acres. If you’re buying, building or clearing near wet ground, a current delineation is the first step.

    RESTORE THE LAND AND ITS BUFFER

    Wetland Property Restoration

    Wetlands and their buffers get damaged by unpermitted clearing, filling, invasive plants and stormwater runoff. We restore these areas by removing fill and debris, controlling invasives like phragmites and bamboo, regrading to natural contours, and replanting with native wetland and buffer species.

    Restoration is often required to resolve a NYSDEC or town violation, and we can carry out the work to match the approved restoration plan.

    WORK AT THE WATER’S EDGE

    Bulkhead Services

    Bulkheads protect waterfront property on Long Island’s bays, harbors and canals from erosion and storm damage. When they fail, the land behind them can wash out fast. We repair and replace failing bulkheads, build new ones, and backfill, regrade and replant the upland area behind the wall.

    Bulkhead work on tidal waters typically requires approvals from NYSDEC and may also involve the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the NYS Department of State and local town trustees. Bulkhead projects also need permits and architectural plans before work starts, and we help line those up so the project isn’t held up.

    RESTORE DEPTH AND STABILITY

    Pond Restoration

    Ponds fill with sediment, algae and invasive plants over time, and their banks can erode. Our pond restoration services include:

    • Sediment and muck removal (dredging) to restore depth
    • Invasive and nuisance vegetation removal
    • Shoreline stabilization and bank regrading
    • Native shoreline and buffer planting
    • Inlet, outlet and overflow repairs

    KEEP STORMWATER MOVING

    Recharge Basin & Spillway Restoration

    Long Island relies on recharge basins and drainage structures to move stormwater back into the ground and the aquifer. When basins clog with sediment and vegetation, or spillways and overflow channels erode, water backs up, floods and carries sediment downstream.

    We clear and restore recharge basins, rebuild eroded spillways and overflow channels, and stabilize slopes with stone, erosion-control fabric, hydroseeding and plantings. This work is done in-house and, like pond work, typically requires permits under NYSDEC rules.

    A PLAN BEFORE WORK BEGINS

    Permits, Violations and Agency Coordination

    Environmental work on Long Island can involve several agencies at once, including NYSDEC (freshwater and tidal wetlands), town and village boards and trustees, and in some cases, federal agencies. Got Bamboo handles many permit filings directly and works with engineering and expediting partners on larger projects. We can help you:

    • Understand which approvals your project needs

    • Assemble delineations, plans and reports for applications

    • Respond to violation notices with a restoration and compliance plan

    • Document completed work for agency sign-off

    Planning to open up a site? See our land clearing and forestry mulching services.

    A LITTLE CLARITY BEFORE YOU CALL

    Environmental Services FAQs

    Answers about wetland boundaries, adjacent areas, violations, and shoreline permits.

    Have another question? Call us

    Wet soils, standing water after rain, wetland plants like cattails, phragmites or red maple swamps, or proximity to a creek, pond or bay are all signs. Since NYSDEC no longer relies only on its old maps, a professional delineation is the reliable way to know.

    It’s the regulated buffer around a wetland. For most state-regulated freshwater wetlands it’s 100 feet, and activities like clearing, grading or building within it typically need a permit. Tidal wetlands have their own regulated adjacent areas.

    Yes. We can assess the damage, prepare or follow a restoration plan, carry out the work and document it for the agency.

    In most cases, yes. Work on tidal shorelines usually needs state approval and often town trustee approval. Some in-kind repairs may qualify for simpler review. We’ll help you find out before work starts.

    YOUR PROPERTY. YOUR NEXT STEP.

    Protect Your Property and Stay Compliant

    Call (631) 318-6117 for a site evaluation for wetland delineation, restoration, pond, bulkhead or drainage work anywhere on Long Island.

    Call Got Bamboo (631) 318-6117