Your Monthly News on Montauk's Environment from CCOM

J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 2

Hello!

As we kick off the new year, I cannot help but thank each and every one of you for contributing to CCOM’s success in 2021. Whether you participated in our end-of-year matching campaign, or are one of 70 new members and sustainers who joined our organization in 2021, we thank you for your support and look forward to working together to advance our 2022 goals!

With gratitude,

Laura Tooman | President

ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

CCOM APPOINTED TO TOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Recognizing CCOM’s contribution to environmental planning, members of CCOM staff and board have been appointed to key East Hampton Town advisory committees for 2022.

1. The Coastal Assessment and Resiliency Committee (C.A.R.P.) is co-chaired by CCOM President Laura Tooman and includes board member Andy Harris and is responsible for implementation of the CARP plan in 2022.

2. The Montauk Downtown Wastewater Committee, responsible for establishing the feasibility of creating a wastewater treatment district and a centralized sewage treatment system for downtown Montauk, includes Laura Tooman and CCOM board members George Filopoulos and Andy Harris.

3. The Energy & Sustainability Committee, established to review and advise the Town Board on policies, programs, and issues promoting energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, includes CCOM board member Rich Silver.

4. CCOM President Laura Tooman is a member of the 7-person Water Quality Technical Advisory Committee established in 2016 to review and make recommendations on proposed water quality improvement projects using monies from the Community Preservation Fund.

5. The Montauk Beach Preservation Committee is chaired by Laura Tooman and was established in 2018 to explore the possibilities and impacts of creating a beach erosion control district in Montauk.

6. Appointed to the 5-member Waterfront Advisory Committee for 2022 is CCOM board member Andy Harris. The WAC advises the Town Board on Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) implementation and on policy, project and budget priorities, as well as on amendments to the LWRP.

NAPEAGUE PINE BEETLE UPDATE

After learning of a growing and potentially problematic Southern Pine Beetle infestation in Napeague State Park at the December Montauk CAC meeting, CCOM President Laura Tooman reached out to NYS Assemblyman Fred Thiele to solicit his help to ensure the State address the infestation. As a result, the State has since surveyed the area, flagged trees, and will be removing them in late February to create a buffer zone in order to stop the threat of continued spreading.

WIND FARM ADVANCES WITH KEY FEDERAL APPROVAL

CCOM continues to advocate for advancing efforts to reduce our region’s reliance on fossil fuels and is encouraged by the achievement of a recent milestone for the South Fork Wind Farm. It received approval of the project’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which is the final decision needed from the agency to move the project forward toward the start of construction. The COP approval outlines the project’s one nautical mile turbine spacing, the requirements on the construction methodology for all work occurring in federal ocean waters, and mitigation measures to protect marine habitats and species. This important development was recently covered by The East Hampton Star.

Additionally, South Fork Wind developer Ørsted/Eversource recently hosted a detailed update on the project and adjacent others in development, a recording of which is available here.

CALENDAR

Montauk on My Mind

Thursday February 17th @ 5pm

Thursday March 17th @ 5pm

Please join CCOM president Laura Tooman via Zoom for two informal virtual open house conversations about Montauk and CCOM's environmental priorities.

More info...

Historic Lindley House Walk

Saturday February 26th, 10 am

CCOM and Third House Nature Center Inc. are excited to announce the Lindley-Morrison Signature Walks, a series of four annual walks honoring the founders of our two organizations and their significant and long-standing contributions to Montauk.

More info...

WE'RE HIRING!

PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Applications are currently being accepted for a year-round, part-time Program Support Specialist. Please visit our careers page for more information on the position and how to apply.

More info...

GOOD TO KNOW!

STAY UP TO DATE W/ MONTAUK PLANNING APPLICATIONS

CCOM has a strong legacy of serving as Montauk’s environmental steward as well as being an incubator for innovative environmental initiatives. We actively review development proposals, advocate for code enforcement, and keep the community informed. If you would like to stay current on planning applications that are considered by the East Hampton Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, you can sign up for email alerts here

IN MEMORIAM

We are sad to learn of the passing of Kathleen "Kay" Carley, one of CCOM’s first Directors at the organization’s inception in 1970. Kay was an active and energetic member of the board until fairly recent times. She was particularly skillful at securing the prizes for CCOM’s annual raffle and known throughout town for her presence in front of the Post Office, selling tickets. Her full obituary can be found here. Her love of Montauk and her fight to preserve its open spaces will live on for many generations to come. She will be missed.

The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

—William James

SUPPORT OUR WORK

CCOM is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit environmental organization. Thanks to donors like you, we have been protecting Montauk's unique environment since 1970. Please consider making a 100% tax deductible donation today.

D O N A T E