Stemming The Brown Tide

The murky water that is seen in Long Island bay areas is no trick of the light.

Scientists call it brown tide, and it's wreaking havoc in the Great South Bay, Moriches Bay, and other places. Governor Cuomo said brown tide is a direct result of nitrogen pollution from septic systems and cesspools. He said brown tide has the ability to kill shellfish and eelgrass.

"It's a continuation of the degradation of the environment," Cuomo said. "And it's the manifestation of that [brown tide] in our water systems."

Governor Cuomo has announced two million dollars to improve water quality on Long Island in hopes of stemming the brown tide.