FIIP Hearing Report
Visit the FIA Website
Vote 2000 - Vote from Fire Island
Ken Stein, Jr.
Summer Job Opportunities
Driving Regulations to be Reviewed
HEARING WELL-ATTENDED; STATE FOOT-DRAGGING CONTINUES
Fire Islanders turned out in impressive numbers on January 12 to attend a public hearing and show support for the Fire Island Interim Project. Most impressive was the large number of year round island residents and off- and on-island contractors, builders and essential services people. For many of them, this meant taking an afternoon -- or a full day -- away from their business. The fact that the project has obvious importance to many working families was not lost on the public officials who were present. Many summer residents also took the day off to be there, many traveling long distances. Those who couldn't make it owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who showed the flag. Some who traveled by rail to Oakdale (the hearing was at Dowling College there) were met by Colonial Taxi who provided free service to the campus; when you see them in a few weeks, please remember to say "thanks for your support."The hearing, on the Corps of Engineers draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), lasted more than six hours (with a break for dinner). In addition to individual presentations, there was an opportunity for informal exchanges between Corps officials, interest groups and business and property owners in the project area. If the object was to take a sounding of those most affected by the project, the hearing was a success. Over 300 attended, according to press reports, with some 50 speaking in favor of the project and fewer than ten in opposition.
Proponents were relieved to see the EIS finally released and the hearing scheduled after what seemed unending delays. Just a week before it was available to the public, New York State sent a letter to the Corps that indicated support for the project. William W. Daley, of the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Coastal Erosion Section wrote:
"Assuming that all of the issues raised by New York State are satisfactorily resolved, and further comments received during the public comment period do not raise new concerns on the part of the State, our Region I office would be in a position to issue a Water Quality Certificate for the proposed project. The Department of State [DOS] would similarly be in a position to concur with a Corps of Engineers' Determination of Consistency with New York's Coastal Management Program. New York State has been an active participant in seeking appropriate storm damage protection for Great South Bay and the mainland shoreline of Long Island shielded by the Fire Island barrier, and will continue its joint involvement throughout the public review process."
Thus, it came as something of a surprise that New York State has yet to send its official comment to the Corps, even though the comment period expired on February 11. The project can't start until the state, the principal non-federal sponsor, says "Let's do it." At that point, a project cooperation agreement and engineering contracts can be drafted, and real project planning can begin.
It was the state, of course, that asked the Corps of Engineers to survey the damage from the 1992-93 storms and to recommend a course of action the state could take. The request came as one of the decisions of Governor Cuomo's Coastal Erosion Task Force, that had been chaired by the heads of DEC and DOS.
The Corps has spent $5 million and five years studying the situation, but there are ominous signs that the state may not consider the study sufficient. If you haven't written to the Governor on this topic, this would be a good time to weigh in. And if you have already written, a reminder would be useful. Ask Governor Pataki to tell hid people to resolve their differences and get on with approving the interim project. Remember, he wrote to FIA in 1995, saying: "If the Corps of Engineers were to propose an expedited start of construction at … Fire Island during the current State fiscal year, we would find a way to fund the State's share and not delay these much needed shore protection projects."
You can take this up with the Governor by writing him at The Executive Chamber, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224
An interesting aspect of the battle over the interim project is the way the environmental community has become involved in opposition to shore protection virtually everywhere it is suggested. The current broad scale attack on the Corps of Engineers provides an indication of how the environmental movement tries to use this issue as a fund-raising mechanism. Those online can read of "25 Wasteful and Environmentally Harmful Projects of the Corps of Engineers" and find the FIIP is ranked No. 10. This on the website of the National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org).Thanks to Johannes Banck (Fair Harbor) FIA also has a website, reachable at, www.fireislandassn.org. On it you will find a detailed response to NWF's broadside, under a new heading called "Feeding the Beast." The name reflects the requirement that million-member environmental groups (and all large groups, for that matter) must spend a lot of time, effort and money attracting new members and contributors. This is not just to keep growing, but to keep from shrinking, like the shark that must continue moving through the water lest its gills stop functioning.
Other environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and National Parks and Conservation Association have also used the FIIP as a way of exercising present and potential members. When raising money, it is useful to be able to point to an object of supposed evil with which you are in mortal combat. Sadly for its members, many of whom were devoted environmentalists before many so-called environmental groups were even founded, the Fire Island Association has been singled out as the bugbear. Owners of Fire Island real estate, which many consider to be an elite group, fill that bill admirably. It is an unhappy and under reported aspect of environmental group fund raising that they play on what amounts to class rivalries masquerading as environmental sensitivity.
Fire Islanders are just folks, like anyone else. And shore protection makes sense for Long Island, whether or not it provides an incidental benefit to beach house owners.
FROM FIRE ISLAND
Enclosed with this Newsletter (the printed version) is a New York State Voter Registration Form. You may use this form to designate your Fire Island address as your address for voting poses. Your mailing address can remain unchanged, if you wish, and you can even use the form to request an absentee ballot. If you are part of a household that wants to be politically active in both areas, simply have one family member register at Fire Island and the other at the winter address. As long as you don't vote more than once, the law does not care where you vote from. Politicians running for office, however, have a keen interest in the matter.
Why bother? Simply because Fire Islanders will never get the attention they deserve until they begin to vote in large numbers. That was instrumental in stopping the Moses highway in the 1950s and in getting the Fire Island National Seashore established in the 1960s.
We really can't expect much attention to be paid to our needs if we don't care enough to vote for (or against) the people who are in a position to respond to them. Frankly, if Fire Island isn't important enough to us to vote there, why should it be important to local officials?
Less than a thousand voters cast their ballots from Fire Island today. Not insignificant, maybe, but if we could raise that number to 3,000 … . By the way, use the absentee ballot if you have to. But remember, the ferries will get you to the Fire Island polling place on election day, and you'll have one last chance to look around on Fire Island before you start thinking about Thanksgiving.
Ken Stein, Jr., President of Sayville Ferries, Inc., died of cancer, in February, at age 57. As his father was before him and his son is today, Ken Stein was a good friend to Fire Island and to this association. On many occasions he made a boat available, often piloting it himself, to bring public officials or special visitors to tour Fire Island. He knew the importance of providing opinion leaders and officials with a first hand knowledge of Fire Island's unique character. Many who first visited the island on a tour made possible by Sayville ferries, have later become its strong supporters. Mr. Stein's willingness to provide a boat for east end members to come to Ocean Beach for the Fire Island summer meeting in recent years has done much to draw the island communities together on the key issues we all are faced with.
Ken Stein's warm good humor and unfailing courtesy will be greatly missed, but it is a comfort to see that he has imbued these traits in Ken Stein III.
The Sayville Kiwanis have established a scholarship fund in his memory. Contributions can be sent to the Kenneth F. Stein, Jr., Memorial Fund, Sayville Kiwanis, Box 126, Sayville, NY 11782.
OPPORTUNITIES
Superintendent Dillon advises the Seashore will welcome applicants for summer jobs. The positions available include maintenance laborers, at a beginning rate of $9.30 per hour; ocean life guards at rates of $8.15 to $11.41 per hour, depending on experience; interpretive Park Rangers, at $13.31 per hour; and visitor protection Park Rangers at $14.65 per hour. Most of the jobs available run from mid-June to Labor Day. Applicants should contact Maria Solano at 631-289-4810 Ext. 238, or by e-mail at Maria_Solano@NPS.Gov. FINS provided fliers for community posting with this information and FIA has sent them to each community association.
This is a great opportunity for children of FIA members to learn something about Fire Island, and earn some money at the same time.
The Seashore also is interested in training people in piping plover biology and monitoring techniques. Several east end Fire Island communities are joining the Park Service and other federal and local agencies and service providers to learn how to help in protecting the piping plover, an endangered species that breeds on Fire Island. This could be a wonderful experience for a young person considering a career in field biology or related areas. The course is by invitation, but Superintendent Dillon's office can provide more information to those interested.
TO BE REVIEWED
The National Park Service has retained the Consensus Building Institute, Cambridge, Mass., to revise the non-recreation off-road driving regulations for the Fire Island National Seashore. The regulations were last reviewed in the 1980s, but since then many west end residents have complained that driving seems to have increased and that the regulations aren't being enforced. Earlier this year, FINS solicited the communities and other groups for nominees to participate in the negotiated rule making for revising the driving regulations. Homeowner associations affected by driving from the west end (Kismet to Point O'Woods) were asked to nominate a single representative and an alternate. To cover the area where driving is likely to be from Smith Point (Cherry Grove to Davis Park), associations in that area were also asked to nominate a representative and alternate. FIA was also asked to appoint a representative and alternate. The following will also be represented on the negotiating group: National Park Service, Fire Island Year Round Residents, Town of Islip, Town of Brookhaven, Village of Ocean Beach, Village of Saltaire, Bell Atlantic, Keyspan Energy, carters, Water Authority, Suffolk County Fire & Rescue or FI Fire Chiefs Council, Suffolk County police, FI Law Enforcement Council, on-Island contractors, off-island contractors, barge/freight companies, ferry companies, and a visitor advocate. There will be two nominees from "organized environmental groups" for a total of 23 members. In addition, Fish & Wildlife, Army Engineers, State Parks and recreational permit holders will provide technical advisers.
Nominees were told that they must be willing to attend up to three two-day negotiating sessions over the next several months. Each nominee will have an alternate who will attend sessions but sit at the table only in the absence of the nominee. It's expected that the nominee will want to consult with the alternate at various times during the negotiating sessions.
Driving is an extremely important issue to some Fire Islanders, but not important at all to others. At a recent board meeting, FIA president Jerry Stoddard (who will represent the association at the sessions) asked for comments on a list of precepts about the driving regulations:
1. Homeowners benefit greatly from the fact that there is a viable year-round community on Fire Island. A sufficient number of driving permits is required to meet the business, family and municipal needs of the island communities.
The single most outstanding characteristic of Fire Island is its essentially roadless nature. A significant increase in the number of those who drive on the island would endanger this attribute, which adds greatly to the attractiveness and value of Fire Island real estate.
The reason for driving regulations is to restrict the amount of driving. Therefore, any modification in the regulations that tends to increase the amount of driving must be examined closely.
Ferry service to the island is inadequate in any but peak seasons. Improved service in the spring, fall and winter might provide alternatives to some driving decisions.
Freight and building material deliveries to Fire Island should be done by barge, contractor vessel or ferry whenever feasible, to reduce truck traffic. Similarly, trash and building debris should be removed from the island by water. While this will add somewhat to building and other costs, most homeowners would be willing to meet this if it reduced truck driving.
Service providers (Keyspan, Bell Atlantic, Suffolk Water Authority) should be urged to reduce to the extent possible the use of trucks to service Fire Island communities. Use of electric carts that can be stored in the communities, or transported on ramped barges, should be encouraged. Transport of service personnel should be by boat, conditions permitting.
Large trucks when needed for construction projects, including those of the Town highway departments, should be transported to Fire Island by barge whenever possible.
Intra-island discretionary driving should be discouraged and the use of electric carts and small boats as an alternative encouraged.
Part time driving permits should not be transferable and should be valid for the life of the present permit holder only.
The sessions should be interesting.