Hello!

Welcome to our latest newsletter! In this edition, dive into updates on the Fire Island to Montauk Point project, exciting news about the living shorelines coming to Montauk, tips on creating a greener home, and our ongoing efforts to combat harmful algal blooms. Plus, we are thrilled to announce the winner of our Balloons for Beach Bag contest, raising awareness about the dangers of balloon pollution to our marine environment. 

As we enter Women’s History Month, we honor CCOM trailblazers like Hilda Lindley, Carol Morrison, Kay Carley, Lillian Disken, and Dorothy Disken, whose contributions shaped Montauk. Their legacy inspires our work every day.

Thank you for joining us in our mission to ensure a sustainable future for Montauk.

Warm regards,

This month, Montauk witnessed a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance coastal resilience with the commencement of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Fire Island to Montauk Point project. This initiative brings more than 450,000 cubic yards of ocean-dredged sand to our downtown beaches, marking a critical step toward bolstering our shoreline defenses and protecting our community against the impacts of coastal erosion and sea-level rise. The project is expected to be completed ahead of schedule over the next few weeks and will include dune restoration with beach grass planting and snow fencing. Take a look at recent before-and-after photos provided by East Hampton Town here and at the end of this article.

The USACE project provides a medium-term solution by replenishing our beaches every four years over the next three decades, providing a vital buffer against erosion while allowing our community the time needed to implement the more comprehensive resilience measures outlined in the Coastal Assessment and Resiliency Plan (CARP). This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to safeguarding Montauk’s coastline and preserving our community’s long-term viability in the face of climate change.

CCOM is proud to have played a role in advocating for the USACE project since Superstorm Sandy and commends East Hampton Town for their unwavering support in realizing this critical initiative. We will continue to advocate with state and local officials for a plan to address the urgent need for remediation of the beach at Ditch Plains and have been encouraged by the town’s recent actions in hiring a surveyor and coastal expert to develop a comprehensive solution. Through collaboration and proactive planning, we are working together to ensure the resilience and sustainability of Montauk for generations to come. 

To view a full video of the meticulous process of sand distribution on our downtown beaches, click here. The figure below illustrates the process of beach nourishment, showing how sand is strategically placed to allow natural coastal processes to reshape the beach into the desired configuration as intended by coastal engineers. The figure is sourced from this USACE web portal, which provides more comprehensive information on the fundamentals of beach nourishment.

Living shorelines offer a natural defense against erosion and flooding while rejuvenating habitats in Montauk. The recent $350,000 grant awarded to the Town of East Hampton to install living shorelines in Fort Pond and Lake Montauk underscores the urgency of proactive measures in addressing coastal erosion and flooding. Both Fort Pond and Lake Montauk are in high-risk areas, vulnerable to climate change-induced flooding and breaches that could threaten the downtown Montauk business district as well as residential neighborhoods near the Atlantic Ocean.

Utilizing natural materials like plants, sand, and shellfish reefs, living shorelines stabilize the coastline and absorb wave energy, mitigating the impacts of climate change on coastal infrastructure and communities while preserving critical habitat for shellfish and other species.

The project team, led by Town staff and officials, includes members of the Town’s Coastal Assessment and Resiliency Plan (CARP) committee and the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, along with CCOM. More information about this project will be coming soon, so stay tuned!

As Montauk prepares to implement its first living shorelines, we anticipate their success and aim to expand this innovative approach to coastal management, creating a more resilient and sustainable future for Montauk.

Let’s all take small steps to reduce waste and create a cleaner, greener home environment for ourselves and future generations. Here are some simple tips:

As spring nears, CCOM prepares to combat harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Fort Pond, partnering with the Gobler Lab at Stony Brook Southampton for weekly testing from May to October.

The urgency to address HABs is evident in recent legislative initiatives proposed by Assemblywoman Dr. Anna Kelles and State Senator Rachel May. Their groundbreaking legislation, the Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Prevention Act (A.8867/S.8356), aims to establish a coordinated statewide program for monitoring and preventing HABs more effectively. By emphasizing comprehensive data collection and proactive solutions, their proposed measures will create a solid foundation for addressing this critical issue.

In addition to Kelles and May’s efforts, State Senator Dan Stec has reintroduced legislation (S.7727) focused on directing funding toward combating HABs through Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This comprehensive approach includes emergency response measures to safeguard our drinking water sources.

This month also saw Suffolk County renewing a proposal for a referendum in November asking voters to approve the creation of a new one-eighth percent sales tax countywide that will fund a broad expansion of sewering and septic system upgrades to stanch the negative impacts of wastewater on tidal bays and harbors, freshwater ponds, and underground drinking water supplies. CCOM intends to actively engage in advocating for the referendum’s approval.

As CCOM continues its commitment to addressing HABs in Fort Pond, we are encouraged by the statewide attention to this critical issue. Stay tuned for updates on our ongoing efforts and the progress of these important legislative initiatives.

We’re thrilled to announce Linsey Kromer as the winner of CCOM’s Balloons for Beach Bag contest! Linsey’s dedication to picking up discarded balloons during her beach outings, as a surfer, truly impressed us. As a reward, Linsey will receive a CCOM beach bag filled with merchandise and a gift card to Adam Mar Surf Shop in Montauk, known for its sustainable and eco-friendly products. Let's take inspiration from Linsey and Adam Mar's commitment to safeguarding our marine environments.

Balloon pollution poses a severe threat to marine life and ecosystems. When released, balloons often end up in the ocean, where they can harm marine animals by ingestion or entanglement. Additionally, their synthetic materials take years to decompose, persisting in the environment and endangering wildlife.

Consider using environmentally friendly alternatives to balloons, such as paper decorations, flags, or bubbles, for celebrations and events. These alternatives are biodegradable and reduce the risk of harm to wildlife and ecosystems.