LIBAG is fortunate to work with New York State Park officials, as we continue to connect the Parks to the People.
We wondered why Fishermen and only Fishermen have the exclusive right to many of New York State’s most beautiful beaches. We are taxpayers; and these are public beaches belong to everyone. Don’t they?
Each year thousands of people purchase permits to enjoy NYS’s finest beaches. However at some of these beaches it is prohibited to prohibited to engage in any low-impact, surf-related water sports.
So the members of LIBAG are honored to work with New York State officials as we continue to implement solutions that encourage more diverse use of this resource.
Some people may argue that 4x4 access could be bad for the the beach, but 4X4 drive-in access to the remote beaches is actually environmentally responsible. Long Island’s Outer Beaches are essentially sand bars. And sand bars are constantly in motion. When you afford access to these beaches via 4X4 you don’t have to build “Hard Structures” like roads, buildings, and sewer systems. Responsible Off Road drivers pack it in, and pack it out [that includes our own waste]. In fact we usually end up removing more from the beach than we came with.
Next let’s talk erosion. Erosion is caused, and exacerbated by hard structures built on the sand. Roads and buildings actually make things worse. Where you can simply close a moving beach due to natural erosion; you must instead engage in a costly losing battle of dredge and fill if you build on a beach.
Plus you can simply close for a limited time, any beach during the times of year that certain birds, turtles, and other wildlife are nesting. When the nesting period is over, you can simply reopen the beach. If you have an investment in Pavilions, Concession Stands, and boardwalks, you are less likely to go the environmental route.
Like many other Long Islanders, we rely on the ocean for our food, fun, and well being.
The members of LIBAG, Surf, Swim, Windsurf, Kayak, Stand Up Paddle-board, Fish, Boogie Board, and just plain old enjoy the magnificent ocean. And we do so 12 months a year; not just in the summer. in many cases we hike, sail or paddle miles in order to access some of these outer beaches.
We initiate, and take part in countless beach cleanups, and Dune Grass Plantings.
We look forward to our continued work with New York State officials in order to implement solutions that encourage more diverse use of NYS’s Beaches.
For more information of Long Islands Shore, please see http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/cprocesses/pdfs/LIDynamicSouthShore.pdf
