Mr. Colvin reported that a Vibrio parahaemolyticus contingency plan has been prepared which calls on the DEC to initiate monitoring in at least those waters around Cold Spring Harbor and Oyster Bay where the problem existed last year. In the absence of a state budget, the DEC has been able only to identify funds to buy laboratory supplies and new items of equipment required; sampling will begin when water temperature gets high enough. Two more staff people are needed to conduct the Vibrio monitoring; if those new staff are not hired in time, staff may be diverted from routine bacteriological assessments of shellfish growing waters, making it necessary to close some areas down because the regular water quality sampling will not get done. After an earlier Council discussion of this possibility, Chairman Wise wrote DEC Commissioner Cahill, urging him to find the necessary resources to conduct the required Vibrio monitoring without having to reduce routine shellfish growing water certification surveys. At the Council’s request, he will again communicate this concern to the Commissioner.