The Beach belongs to everyone

We want Long Island to be a place where this, and the next generation can surf, windsurf, sail, swim, sunbathe, fish, kayak or just soak in Long Island's Natural Beauty.

Long Island is losing its waterfront and wet lands to private homes at an alarming pace. Beach Access is disappearing right along with it. In addition, many NYS laws concerning Beach Access are archaic at best.

It is not LIBAG's intent to take away any existing rights of NYS Beach users. Only to add to them.

We are fortunate, to be working with the Long Island Regional State Parks Commission towards solutions that would allow all beach user groups equal access to all NYS Parks Beaches, with out excluding or taking away any access rights from any user groups.

The Long Island Beach Access Group is most commonly known for its four core programs;

1- The Beach Access program whose research and advocacy programs support the maintenance and expansion of access to those remote beach locations on Long Island for all users.

2- Also, our Beach Preservation program works to sponsor, participate and encourage those activities that ensure the healthy maintenance of our beaches and barrier islands, such as beach grass plantings.

3- Our Beach Clean-up program works to sponsor, participate and encourage continual beach clean-ups in conjunction with the America Littoral Society. This includes the adoption of Gilgo Beach.

4- But also, Long Island Beach Access Group is known for our Beach Actions program which seeks to encourage and reward proper behavior when enjoying the beaches. This includes following the official rules and regulations of each of the beaches and areas that provide access to those beaches, promoting the “Carry in, Carry out more” philosophy, and in a more informal fashion, instructing people on safe enjoyment of our natural resources.

Remember: it is not LIBAG's intent to take away any existing rights of NYS Beach users. Only to add to them.

LIBAG is honored to work with New York State Park officials, as we continue to connect the Parks to the People.

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.

CONTACT US email me libaginfo@gmail.com

Sunday, May 20, 2012

More News on LIBAG's progress with the State

http://online.wsj.com/article/APd5cc351577134f4c9132e44681b94b52.html?KEYWORDS=windsurfing

The Wall Street Journal

May 18, 2012, 8:50 p.m. ET

Windsurfing OK'd at NY's Jones Beach, some others

Associated Press

WANTAGH, N.Y. — Windsurfers and paddleboarders will be welcome at Jones Beach and several other state-run Long Island beaches this summer. But kiteboarders are still out of luck.
Newsday (http://bit.ly/JYE683 ) says the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced Friday it would allow windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding at ocean beaches where surfing is already allowed. Besides Jones Beach, they include Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island and some beaches in Montauk, on Long Island's East End.
The changes take effect June 1.
Paddleboarding was already allowed at Heckscher State Park in East Islip, and windsurfing was already OK at Orient Beach and Wildwood State Park in Wading River.
The sports are limited to certain areas and date ranges at some spots.
The new policy doesn't cover kiteboarding, so it's still out.
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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com
—Copyright 2012 Associated Press

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