Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2005 Meeting
The Eastern Long Island Chapter’s “Good Bye Winter” meeting was held on Friday evening, March 18th at John Duck’s Restaurant in Southampton. Fifty politically involved and outspoken members joined us for a lively discussion with three representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE).
Eugene Alper, chapter chair, introduced our three guests: Mr. Gene Brickman-Assistant Chief, Planning Division, Mr. Tom Pfeiffer-Senior Coastal Planner, and Mr. Anthony Ciorra-Chief Project Manager. Mr. Brickman kicked off the discussion by describing how ACE becomes involved in a project and by enumerating the steps ACE undertakes when it initiates a study. He explained that ACE projects are initially identified by local governments and that all ACE projects require congressional authorization and congressional appropriation. Once a project is identified for study, ACE begins a four step planning process, comprised of the following elements.
1) Determine if there is a federal government interest in the project. Such interest is usually predicated upon an economic interest.
2) Conduct an initial feasibility study and develop a cost sharing agreement with local governments. This is usually a 3-4 year process.
3) Recommend a plan. Public comment on the plan can be made during a 30-45 day period after the plan is issued.
4) Issue the final feasibility report, which serves as the basis for requesting Congressional authorization and appropriation.
Mr. Pfeiffer provided an up-date on the Montauk Lighthouse project. He explained that the project is in the final stages of feasibility planning. The project calls for heavier and larger stone to be placed further up the cliff and further out into the ocean. In response to Surfrider concerns ACE conducted a special wave reflection study and concluded that the project “is not likely to result in a change in wave reflection”. However, Mr. Pfeifer indicated that he could not guarantee that no change in reflected wave energy would occur as a result of the project. Eugene mentioned that after much discussion with ACE, the chapter contacted the Surfrider Foundation’s Environmental Issues Team and Surfrider’s Coastal Engineer, Tim Maddux. Tim analyzed the ACE data and formulated conclusions that differ from those of ACE. In the end, Tim and ACE were at a stalemate. Mr. Brickman interjected that ACE would be pleased to review its special wave reflection study with anyone from Surfrider.
Following their presentation, the ACE representatives entertained several questions from Surfrider members. In response to a question from Lutha Leahy-Miller, Mr. Pfeifer indicated that re-locating the Lighthouse would cost substantially more than the ACE project now under study. Carolyn Zenk asked if ACE would consider tapering selected jetties, especially in the Hampton Bays area, to reduce the shift of sand to the west. Mr. Brickman indicated that jetty tapering is part of the Fire Island to Montauk Re-formulation study. Carolyn also asked if the southern-most row of trailers at the Montauk Trailer Park could be moved to avoid a need for beach revetment and to allow that area to revert to beach. Mr. Brickman responded that such a strategy is being considered as part of a non-revetment alternative. Bill Akin then asked ACE to provide a suggested strategy for dealing with the substantial beach erosion that is threatening the commercial district of Montauk. None of the ACE representatives could offer a suggested approach. Discussion then focused on the need to evaluated the economic impact of alternative strategies, i.e., the cost of “holding the line” versus the cost of “retreating and backing away” from the surging ocean.
Eugene Alper expressed our chapter’s appreciation for ACE’s presentations and indicated that our chapter looks forward to continuing to work with ACE on projects that impact our beaches.
Eugene then led a discussion of other topics of importance to our chapter.
- Dan Hopkins of Quiksilver advised Eugene that Quiksilver will not hold a surf camp in Montauk this summer.
- Surfrider’s annual Surf Movie Night will be held in East Hampton on Wednesday, August 10.
- Gary Ventura succeeded in having Suffolk County Parks Department post No Littering signs in the area around Shinnecock Inlet.
- Tim Berringer cautioned that a quick, behind the scenes strategy may be formulated by the Town of Southampton, to deal with substantial sand erosion.
- Bruce Lieberman reported that the East Hampton High School Surf Club raised and donated money for the Tsunami relief effort and also conducted two recent beach clean-ups.
- At State Senator Kenneth LaValle’s environmental roundtable discussion, Bill McGintee, East Hampton Town Supervisor, indicated to Eugene that parking will not be permitted in the nature preserve at Turtle Cove this year. (Surfrider has been asking the town to ban such parking for years.)
- Joe Warren offered to staff a Surfrider table at Southampton College’s Earth Day in April.
- Eugene polled members regarding two Camp Hero alternatives on the table.
- Retain restrictions on surfing and eliminate the need for permits.
- Eliminate restrictions and retain permits.
- The members unanimously supported alternative B.
- Eugene reported that our chapter has over $12,000 in the bank and that the winter fund raiser at Stephen Talkhouse generated $1600, thanks in large part to the efforts of Costa del Soul and a raffled wetsuit donated by Dan Hopkins of Quiksilver. It was reported that Jimmy Buffett made an appearance at the fund raiser, but did not jam with the band.
- Carolyn Zenk, a Surfrider member and attorney has been retained to advise our chapter on Town of East Hampton discussions related to beach erosion in Montauk. Eugene indicated that Carolyn has offered a substantial discount on her standard hourly rate.
Finally, Eugene mentioned some other chapter success in 2004.
- Our chapter website is classified among the Top Three Surfrider websites, thanks to Steven Rovery and Jay Fruin!
- Our chapter had the highest percentage growth in membership of all Surfrider chapters. In recognition, we received a donated OP surfboard, which was raffled off and ended up in Jay Fruin’s quiver, at least until Jay’s son sees the bright red fish.
Check our award winning web site for up-dates regarding our next Chapter Meeting and other important information about our beaches!
A date and location for our next meeting will be set shortly. Check www.surfriderli.org for details.
Meeting Minutes March 18, 2005 Meeting The Eastern Long Island Chapter’s “Good Bye Winter” meeting was held on Friday evening, March 18th at John Duck’s Restaurant in Southampton. Fifty politically involved and outspoken members joined us for a lively discussion with three representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). Eugene Alper, chapter chair, introduced our three guests: Mr. Gene Brickman-Assistant Chief, Planning Division, Mr. Tom Pfeiffer-Senior Coastal Planner, and Mr. Anthony Ciorra-Chief Project Manager. Mr. Brickman kicked off the discussion by describing how ACE becomes involved in a project and by enumerating the steps ACE undertakes when it initiates a study. He explained that ACE projects are initially identified by local governments and that all ACE projects require congressional authorization and congressional appropriation. Once a project is identified for study, ACE begins a four step planning process, comprised of the following elements. 1) Determine if there is a federal government interest in the project. Such interest is usually predicated upon an economic interest. 2) Conduct an initial feasibility study and develop a cost sharing agreement with local governments. This is usually a 3-4 year process. 3) Recommend a plan. Public comment on the plan can be made during a 30-45 day period after the plan is issued. 4) Issue the final feasibility report, which serves as the basis for requesting Congressional authorization and appropriation.
Check our award winning web site for up-dates regarding our next Chapter Meeting and other important information about our beaches! A date and location for our next meeting will be set shortly. Check www.surfriderli.org for details.
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