Hello!

We are thrilled about this week’s news that 450,000 cubic yards of ocean-dredged sand is coming at last to Montauk’s downtown beaches, as part of the Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) plan. CCOM has long been fighting for this and much more work lies ahead to adapt Montauk to climate change, but the delivery of this sand is an urgently-needed interim step to protect our community and a huge win! You will find out more about this achievement in one of the following articles.

Please read our report on the proposed sewering plan for Montauk and the potential impacts on our water. Lastly, we urge you to take action by signing our petition to Preserve the Benson Reserve! We’re excited about this opportunity to restore this important coastal habitat. Your support is crucial in protecting the natural resources we cherish.

Warm regards,

Please join the many others who have voiced their support of the Benson Reserve Restoration Project by signing our petition. This is an important initiative that will positively impact Montauk’s environment and community.

The recent announcement of 450,000 cubic yards of ocean-dredged sand for Montauk’s downtown beaches, part of the Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) plan, is a significant milestone for Montauk and CCOM. This $11 million federally funded project, achieved through CCOM’s advocacy and collaboration with East Hampton Town, demonstrates our commitment to protecting Montauk’s beaches over the next 30 years. For more information click HERE.

CCOM has evaluated the potential impacts of the proposed sewering plan for Montauk. Our findings indicate that the proposed plan would not improve water quality in Fort Pond or Lake Montauk because it would not remediate wastewater flows into Fort Pond from the eastern and western subwatersheds of the Pond. Further, the analysis demonstrated that onsite wastewater is not a major source of pollution in Lake Montauk. CCOM recommends expediting existing solutions in the Fort Pond area, like septic and stormwater upgrades, in light of this additional information that the plan would not significantly improve Montauk’s most impaired water body.

This analysis advances questions raised in CCOM’s Wastewater Position Paper, which had outlined four areas in which the proposed plan is insufficient: defining the project scope, funding, addressing development concerns, and siting.

Additional questions are unaddressed and more work must be done to respond to Montauk’s multiple environmental challenges. For example, CCOM believes that upgrading the current downtown wastewater treatment systems is an essential component of implementing coastal resiliency solutions for the downtown, as framed in both the Coastal Assessment and Resiliency Plan and the Montauk Hamlet Plan adopted by East Hampton Town (EHT). EHT has identified these wastewater systems as noncompliant and currently operating at more than three times the permitted Suffolk County wastewater flow rates.

More information can be found on our website HERE.

We’re excited to announce a grant of $35,000 from the Long Island Community Foundation for our collaborative water quality project. Surfrider Eastern Long Island, Peconic Baykeeper, and CCOM have jointly worked on this initiative, with Surfrider Eastern Long Island as the lead applicant and Peconic Baykeeper and CCOM as subcontractors.

Together we monitor water quality year-round at over 70 sites across Eastern Long Island to ensure cleaner and safer recreational waters. The grant will fund the development and implementation of a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), enhancing the reliability and usefulness of our data. It will also pay for necessary supplies.

We’re grateful to Long Island Community Foundation for their support, and we’re committed to using this grant effectively to protect and improve our region’s water bodies.

We received an important update from the Gobler Lab concerning our ongoing water sample monitoring efforts at Fort Pond. The latest analysis has confirmed that there is no longer evidence of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in that body of water. This news is a significant relief and validates our dedication to preserving Fort Pond.

Harmful algal blooms pose a serious threat to both the environment and public health. They are typically driven by a combination of factors, including excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, warm water temperatures, and abundant sunlight. A bloom can produce toxins that may lead to health problems in humans, pets and wildlife. Therefore, it’s vital that we remain vigilant. In collaboration with the Gobler Lab, we will continue to monitor HABs and provide timely updates on the matter.

The East Hampton Town Board plans to hold its first public hearing on proposed changes to the Town’s zoning code on Oct 5th. The hearing represents an important milestone in the broader process the Town announced in May to provide a comprehensive and disciplined review of the Town’s land use regulations and zoning code with the formation of zoning code amendment work group. The initial focus of the work group and subject of the hearing is on the “purposes” section of the code, which is out of compliance with the goals outlined in the Town’s comprehensive plan adopted in 2005.

For additional information on the zoning code review process to date, see the East Hampton Star coverage HERE.

One of CCOM’s principal missions is promoting sustainability, anchored by the core belief that a truly sustainable community is achieved through thoughtful planning, code enforcement, and adherence to environmentally responsible practices. As part of its environmental watchdog legacy, CCOM continues to monitor and report on development proposals and advocate for code enforcement.

October is a good time to think about planting native species in your yard or garden. Cooler temperatures reduce stress on young plants, while increased rainfall provides essential moisture. Pests and diseases are less active, and the season offers an extended growing period, allowing native species to develop strong root systems before facing harsher conditions. This timing also reduces competition from weeds and invasive species.

By choosing fall for planting, you support the long-term sustainability of local ecosystems. Native plants not only require less maintenance but also provide crucial habitat and food sources for wildlife. Your decision to use native species can lead to healthier landscapes and enhanced biodiversity, benefiting both your garden and the environment. For more information on native gardening, click here.

On September 16th, despite challenging weather, several Montauk residents came together for National Cleanup Day at the CCOM office. They worked tirelessly through the heavy wind and cold to find and throw out as much litter as they could. Thank you to all who joined, showing that nothing can deter our commitment to projecting Montauk’s environment.

Several of our members are active in helping reduce litter in their neighborhoods through participation in East Hampton Town’s “Adopt a Road” program. This free program is managed by the Highway Department and helps reduce litter on the 300 miles of roads for which they are responsible. Board member Andy Harris and his wife Sally (shown in picture) have been participants for the past 9 years helping remove litter on Montauk’s Flamingo Road, stating “it is easy to do and a very rewarding way to help keep Montauk’s environment clean.” For more information on how you can participate, please click HERE.

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