SPRING 2007 Chapter Update
Lots of news to report as the weather starts to warm up.
LEGALIZE SURFING AT MONTAUK POINT STATE PARK
Those who attended our spring membership meeting on March 23 signed letters we are sending to state officials to legalize surfing at Montauk Point State Park. This letter is now available as an "Action Alert" to make it easier for our members and friends to voice their opinion against the ban on surfing at this state park in favor of another user group. All you have to do is log onto www.surfrider.org, click on "Take Action" and "Sign Up For Action Alerts." Legalize Surfing at Montauk Point is available under "Feature Alerts."
MOVE MONTAUK LIGHTHOUSE
We continue to work with other environmental groups to build a coalition against this project, and our efforts have gotten the attention of policy makers in Washington D.C. and Albany. We have a round of meetings scheduled later with month with policy makers and will keep you posted as to our progress.
Check out a recent article that appeared in PRESERVATION ONLINE MAGAZINE: It is about our campaign to stop another round of shore armoring at Montauk Point in favor of moving the lighthouse away from the eroding bluff to protect it from storm threats.
EAST HAMPTON TOWN COASTAL LEGISLATION
Our chapter is supporting the proposed coastal legislation in the Town of East Hampton that would prohibit any new shore hardening structures on ocean beaches. The town has been focused on strengthening the technical language in the draft as a strategy to respond to possible litigation, and is responding to the petitions of individual property owners. The draft legislation seems to have the support of the Town Board at this time. The legislation will be up for vote sometime this spring.
OCEAN BEACH RESORT PROPOSED REVETMENT
The Town of East Hampton Zoning Board of Appeals received an application by Ocean Beach Resort in Montauk to build a stone revetment on the dunes in front of their property. Both the Town & NYS DEC found the applications to be incomplete. The applicant has not yet provided any of the additional information requested by the ZBA, so it isn't likely that there will be a ruling on this application any time soon.
BROADWATER
The Chapter has joined a large environmental coalition opposed to the Broadwater Liquefied Natural Gas facility proposed for the middle of LI Sound. Broadwater is opposed by all local state and federal legislators. The chapter has submitted comments in opposition to the Broadwater plan to FERC, the Governor, the NY Department of State and our legislators.
COMING THIS SPRING
Don't miss our Spring Gathering and Fundraiser on Friday, April 20 at Tugboat's North Sea House. THE BLAGGARDS will be doing a rare UNPLUGGED set, and proceeds will be split between the chapter and the family of Gary Ventura.
Our first annual interscholastic surf contest is set for Saturday, June 9 at Ditch Plains Beach in Montauk. We are creating an event to foster surfing as a school team sport. Anyone with a connection to a local school who wants to help create a team to surf to compete that day, please request an application by e-mailing tnaro@optonline.net.
This July, our executive committee will reach the end of it's two year term. We are looking for YOUR help to form a new executive committee this summer! Please contact me if you are interested in helping to take the lead in the protection of your ocean, waves and beaches! tnaro@optonline.net
As always, the most up to date information about all of our campaigns is available on our newly designed website: www.surfriderli.org .
Thanks!
Tom Naro