Jeff Kassner of the Brookhaven Town Department of Environmental Protection spoke to the Council as Chairman of DEC’s Shellfish Advisory Committee. Chairman Wise had invited Mr. Kassner to the meeting at the suggestion of several Councilors who wanted to know more about this other DEC advisory body and how its advice and that of the Marine Resources Advisory Council might be coordinated. Mr. Kassner stated that the Shellfish Advisory Committee (SAC) was created by DEC in the late 1970’s for advice and guidance on all matters relating to shellfish. It is composed of about thirty-five members, with representatives from each of Long Island’s thirteen towns’ shellfish agencies, baymen’s organizations, the New York State Farm Bureau, Sea Grant, Suffolk County, and some interested individuals. Mr. Kassner stated that, with the decline of Long Island’s hard clam industry, interest in the committee waned somewhat. Its meetings are held quarterly. DEC uses these meetings to communicate with the shellfish industry. The committee has responded in the past to such issues as DEC staffing shortages for conditional openings and state clam transplant programs, which diggers worried might depress prices. SAC meetings are not publicly advertised, but substantial audiences attended, depending on the issue. Mr. Wise asked about coordination between the Council and the SAC; could the Council poll the SAC, for example, as the Council develops positions on legislation affecting the shellfish industry? Mr. Kassner and Councilor Dave Relyea agreed that issue-driven meetings of the two advisory bodies might be beneficial. Mr. Colvin said he would provide the Council with a SAC membership list; Mr. Wise will ensure that all SAC members receive the Council’s meeting bulletin series. Messrs. Wise and Kassner will keep in close contact and will arrange joint consultation in the review of shellfish-related legislative proposals.