Hello!

September is here and it ushers in my favorite time of year. Yours too, I bet. That magical couple of months when the summer visitors are gone, the weather is spectacular and Montauk belongs to the locals. Ahhh, bliss. I'll be grabbing my clam rake and my crab trap and indulging my inner hunter-gatherer. I'll be making sun tea with sumac berries and drying and grinding some for topping tagines and other exotic dishes. I'll also be eating the weeds - did you know that you can turn Autumn Olive (aka Russian Olive) berries into a stunning, pink jelly?

While we're reconnecting to everything that Montauk has to offer in the coming month, let's all recommit to protecting our precious and fragile environment. Anyone who hasn't yet committed to being a Clean Water Steward, please read on and click the link below. It will remind you that we can all make a positive difference in protecting Montauk. And, as always, larger environmental challenges require our attention. PFAS ('forever chemicals') are in the news and on our minds. Read below for more information. Keep in mind that protecting our environment also protects our health. On a positive note, I have been hearing from mariners that this may be the best year ever for seeing a variety of whales off Montauk. And NY State is taking action to educate the public about how we can keep these magnificent creatures safe in our waters -keep reading for more details.

I'll be seeing you on the trails and beaches. Cheers!

With gratitude,

Jessica James | CCOM Board President

Montauk's battery energy storage systems facility located between Fort Pond and Fort Pond Bay. Photo credit to Newsday.

As community concerns grow over the potential fire and PFAS contamination risks associated with battery energy storage systems (BESS), East Hampton Town (EHT) is pressing NextEra Energy and National Grid to strengthen safety measures at the Montauk BESS facility. EHT has given NextEra 30 days to revise its emergency action and safety plan and 60 days to “design and install engineering controls that capture and hold all fire water and all fire-related runoff,” among other requirements. Read the EH Star article HERE.

While CCOM applauds EHT for addressing these important safety and environmental concerns, we believe it is equally imperative to remain focused on transitioning our energy production away from fossil fuels and toward clean, renewable sources.

Learn from the EPA about why PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Click on the following for more information on PFAS-Free NY and Legislation.

Governor Hochul with elected officials, environmental leaders and community members at the ceremony

Jessica James and Kay Tyler, CCOM Board President and Executive Director, respectively, with Governor Hochul

On Aug. 10, CCOM had the privilege of witnessing Governor Hochul sign the New York Whale Awareness Act into law at the Montauk Lighthouse.

This law comes at a crucial time. We are incredibly lucky to share the oceans with these gentle giants and see them off our coasts, but with it comes great responsibility. The NY Whale Awareness Act aims to protect both us and these majestic mammals by integrating whale-safe boating education into the state’s boater safety courses and vessel registration processes. By increasing education, the law targets one of the main causes of whale fatalities: vessel strikes.

Read Governor Hochul's press release HERE.

Montauk businesses are critical in sustaining Montauk, and in doing their part for environmental sustainability. See businesses who consciously reduced or minimized their use of (petroleum-based) plastic in the 2026 season:

• Bambi's
• Ditch Witch
• Joni's
• Inlet Seafood
• Left Hand
• Manor Sangria

• Mostrador
• Naturally Good
• Real Pilates
• The Dock
• The Surf Lodge
• Wasabi Beach

CCOM's water quality results in Montauk this month revealed elevated Enterococcus bacteria levels at the beginning of the month, particularly at Lake Montauk creeks and Fort Pond. The last few weeks of the month showed fewer sites with high bacteria levels. Recreational ocean and bay beach sites all showed safe levels.

Above: Water quality results from Aug. 31, 2026

• Week of Aug. 3: High bacteria levels detected at Fort Pond.
• Week of Aug. 10: High levels detected at several sites, including Fort Pond, Lake Montauk creeks, and Three Mile Harbor.
• Week of Aug. 17: Fewer sites in Montauk showed elevated levels. High levels remained in Fort Pond and Lake Montauk creeks.
• Week of Aug. 24: High bacteria levels detected at 2 Montauk sites.
• Week of Aug. 31: High bacteria levels detected at Lake Montauk: Stepping Stones and Three Mile Harbor.

Fort Pond HABs Testing:

Based on the latest results from Aug. 24, our testing showed low risk of a Harmful Algal Bloom for both Fort Pond North and Fort Pond South.

Off-season schedule: Starting in Sept., CCOM will test bi-weekly and eventually monthly. Results will be available on the following Tuesday afternoon in CCOM's water testing and HABs report which will be available via email, website and Instagram/Facebook.

Many thanks to our dedicated volunteers, interns and partners for supporting year-round sampling.

As part of our Save Montauk's Waters campaign, we ask you to pledge to take at least 1 small but impactful action for clean water to reduce pollution. CCOM will support you every step of the way. It is the honor system — so no fixed commitments. Choose any of the following actions:

✅Decrease fertilizer use, or use none at all

✅Upgrade to an I/A septic system or pump out existing system regularly

✅Always pick up pet waste, even in your yard

✅Plant native lawn plants

✅Redirect downspouts to garden beds

✅Use a commercial car wash instead of washing at home

✅Set mower height at 3.5 inches or taller

✅Add a rain barrel to your garden or yard

✅Spread the word to a neighbor!

Becoming a clean water steward is free and takes 1 minute!

BECOME A CLEAN WATER STEWARD HERE

Petitions DO make a difference. Having thousands and even millions of public comments/names supports lawyers in building their legal cases because it shows the public is invested. So write your name down and speak up!

Click here to protect New York's drinking water from PFAS chemicals

The NYS Legislature unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to strengthen the state's PFAS drinking water standards—now we need Governor Hochul to sign the bill into law!

Join CCOM on Sat., Sept. 19 as we pitch in on "East Hampton CleanUp Day" hosted by The Town of East Hampton (TOEH) Litter Action Committee.

CCOM's Montauk Location

Meet: CCOM Office, 6 South Elmwood Ave.

Clean up: Downtown Montauk and Second House Rd.

Time: 10am-12pm

Bags, gloves, and vests will be provided.

Main hub in Springs hosted by TOEH Litter Action Committee:

Meet: Ashawagh Hall, 780 Springs Fireplace Rd.

Clean up: Springs Fireplace Rd- entire length

Time: 10am-12pm

Bags, gloves, and vests will be provided. Grabbers while they last!

Join us and millions of volunteers nationwide in a litter pickup on this day. Let's keep our community clean!

🦪 🦪🦪

On Aug. 12, CCOM and East Hampton Shellfish Education and Enhancement Directive (EHSEED) took participants out in Napeague Harbor for a boat tour of East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery’s oyster farm and a hands-on seeding experience. They learned how oyster farming supports clean water—and helped seed our local shellfish population!

Don't miss out! If you missed registration this year, look out for it next summer and sign up quickly—registration fills fast.

Learn more about East Hampton Town Aquaculture here. Learn more about oysters with this fun quiz!

Participants about to head out to start the tour.

A participant happily seeding oysters.

A participant happily seeding oysters.

A group effort to count the oysters.

322 Items Collected!

At our most recent beach cleanup, volunteers picked up 123 pieces of plastic (41 plastic water bottles/cups, 22 utensils/straws, 60 wrappers), 86 pieces of trash, 23 aluminum cans, 30 cigarettes, and 55 pieces of paper/cardboard.

PLASTIC WAS THE MOST COLLECTED ITEM...ONCE AGAIN