New York authorities have lifted shellfishing restrictions on Long Island five months after temporary closures were implemented because of Hurricane Sandy.
Newsday reports Friday the state's Department of Environmental Conservation will allow shellfish harvesting in Nassau and Suffolk counties starting Saturday.
State health officials had said closures of shellfish areas were necessary to protect public health. The agency said flooding inundated septic and wasterwater treatment systems in low lying areas, discharging sewage into shellfishing areas.
But the newspaper says officials announced Friday that about 6,200 acres of underwater on Long Island will reopen for harvesting at sunrise on Saturday.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
