SHORELINE CLEAN-UP MAY 18-19
Southold Township has over 160 miles of shoreline and close to fifty major creeks, ponds and inlets; our shoreline, both public and privately owned (to MHW), is a major asset to this town and should be cared for analogous to what is done for all other property throughout town during the spring and fall clean-ups.
Therefore, a cooperative effort is underway where the public and private sector are working together to care for “Where the BLUE meets the GREEN.” In cooperation with SoutholdVOICE, a non-profit organization of waterfront property owners, the Town will have a shoreline clean-up on the weekend of May 18, 19.
Residents will be able to bring any flotsam, jetsam or other shore laden debris to fifteen designated drop spots throughout the Town, where Town personnel will remove it. Residents will also be able to bring any of this debris, over the scales, at the Town’s Transfer Station in Cutchogue free of charge. Flotsam, jetsam, and other debris shows up on the shoreline areas of the Town through tidal action, storms, or neglect. Items can range from balloons, all types of plastics, used hygiene products, tires, tree limbs (and entire trees), dock pieces, flotation, and boat parts – basically anything that has the smallest capacity to float
Large signage will be placed at each drop spot prior to the clean-up. The selected drop spots are:
MATTITUCK
1 Breakwater Beach (Sound)
2 Bailie Beach (Sound)
3 Veterans Beach (Bay)
CUTCHOGUE/NEW SUFFOLK
4 Town Transfer Stations (over the scale)
5 New Suffolk Beach (Bay)
6 Nassau Point Causeway Beach (Bay)
SOUTHOLD/GREENPORT
7 Town Beach (Sound)
8 Sound Drive/67 Steps (Sound)
SOUTHOLD/PECONIC
9 Indian Neck Road (Bay)
10 Kenney’s Beach (Sound)
11 South Harbor PARK Beach (Bay)
12 Goose Creek Beach (Bay
13 Cedar Beach (Bay)
EAST MARION/ORIENT
14 Truman’s Beach (Sound)
15 Land’s End (Sound)
No Need to Fight over Conservation
The following article appeared in the February 14th edition of the Suffolk Times as a “Guest Spot”
Having attended two recent Southold Town government meetings – one for changes to a town code and the other regarding the Natural Resources chapter of the Towns in-development Comprehensive Plan, I observed pointless division of opinion and misconceptions that do not help anyone. I saw a significant opportunity missed!
Environmental activists are preachy about making everything “sustainable,” but when it comes to the rights of property owners, they seem to forget that we [waterfront property owners] are a part of the ecosystem as well, or would they prefer we become extinct. Property owners are a significant resource being wasted. And, waterfront property owners in particular are dedicated to achieving a healthy balance between the legal rights of private property owners and ensuring sensible (and sustainable) protections are afforded to all natural and living resources.
Many environmental activists view the legal protection of private property as an obstacle to environmental sustainability. To the contrary, private property and property rights have been a core American value since the nation’s inception and are recognized as a significant resource in environmentalism.
The importance of property rights in determining the use and value of environmental assets has been noted by both economists and legal scholars since the middle of the 20th Century. Nothing has changed in that regard. “Particularly in the case of natural resources, property rights are a viable and demonstrated means of enhancing sustainability, particularly when compared to the available political alternatives,” writes Megan McArdle of The Atlantic . Continuing, she states: “At the same time there is increasing evidence that a failure to respect and protect property rights undermines environmental stewardship… .”
In a recent letter to the Suffolk Times, Howard Meineke wrote: “Waterfront property owners should be in the forefront of the clean water advocates. Clean and productive marshes, creeks and bays are their prime asset. It should be a major concern.” I completely agree, however, solutions cannot be suggested or implemented with the trampling of property rights.
The agricultural community would not accept that principle, and neither do waterfront property owners.
What is missing in the equation is recognition of the conservation efforts of individual private landowners, and waterfront property owners in particular, and a renewed appreciation of private property rights in the drafting of environmental policy.
Waterfront property, whether it be on the bay, a creek or the Sound, is special and its owners recognize that fact. They too understand the principles of conservation and sustainability. Each and every owner has worked hard to own their property and continues to do so to maintain it and its value. Waterfront Property owners are a significant resource in the conversation.
Why then is it felt that the trampling of property rights of waterfront owners to be the solution? Is it politically expedient? Is it easy to sell? Is it: you have it and I want it?
An opportunity missed!
We try to be and should be part of the solution. Waterfront owners bring a significant voice and understanding of the issues. Yet, they are looked at as an adversary rather than an asset. An opportunity missed!
John Betsch
RIDDING OUR SHORELINE OF FLOTSAM & JETSAM
Southold Township has over 160 miles of shoreline and close to fifty major creeks, ponds and inlets; our shoreline, both public and privately owned (to MHW), is a major asset of our Town which should be cared for and nurtured.
Going Down The Drain – we need your help
The Town is starting to address some “impaired water bodies”, namely Richmond Creek, Goose Creek and some Mattituck Creek road ends, potentially using porous pavement at specific road ends. It is now over three years since SoutholdVOICE initiated our “Only Rain in the Drain” campaign to help mitigate problems caused by stormwater runoff.
Going Down The Drain – we need your help
The Town is starting to address some “impaired water bodies”, namely Richmond Creek, Goose Creek and some Mattituck Creek road ends, potentially using porous pavement at specific road ends. It is now over three years since SoutholdVOICE initiated our “Only Rain in the Drain” campaign to help mitigate problems caused by stormwater runoff.
UPDATE: Southold 2020 Masterplan
A Suffolk Times report today on Southold Town’s Comprehensive Master Plan, by Beth Young, notes that Southold VOICE’s August letter, by John Betsch to the Planning Department, was key to the town’s elimination of the goal to reduce the percentage of hardened shoreline in Southold from the chapter on “Community Character”.
UPDATE: Southold 2020 Masterplan
A Suffolk Times report today on Southold Town’s Comprehensive Master Plan, by Beth Young, notes that Southold VOICE’s August letter, by John Betsch to the Planning Department, was key to the town’s elimination of the goal to reduce the percentage of hardened shoreline in Southold from the chapter on “Community Character”.
VIDEO: Hashamomuck Cove – The Last 17 Feet
Including footage shot over more than a year, I have produced a short documentary video (less than 5 minutes) that touches briefly on some of the key issues surrounding an 8 year long battle waged by Lynn Laskos and the Hashamomuck Cove Group to save their homes and raise awareness of the threat to County Road 48 from coastal erosion. It’s a race against time. What are the options?
