LIBAG, Long Island Beach Access Group: April 2014

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

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Four wheel access to Gilgo State Park

Hello Friends...

We are writing to you all as a proud members of the Long Island Beach Access Group (LIBAG) to inform you that we now have 4-wheel drive access to Gilgo State Park!! . For those of you questioning where this park is located, it is the stretch of beach between Gilgo and Cedar in the town of Babylon, commonly referred to as " Hemlock " . It's approximately 2 miles long.

This is a result of years of hard work from LIBAG members. We have been able to accomplish what many have been fighting for for over 30 years now. We ask that you read this post in its entirety...

From NYS State Parks official announcement.

"...Wednesday, April 9, 2014, The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is authorizing 4-wheel drive access for the purpose of surfing at Gilgo State Park. State Parks is going to accept the current Democrat Point 4-wheel drive surfing access permit for use at Gilgo State Park. ...The Surfing permit will be authorized....we will direct surfers to place this permit on the dashboard of their vehicle.

Please advise your fellow surfers of this policy change and the fact that these permits will be authorized.

Thank you for your cooperation."

George Gorman, Jr.

Deputy Regional Director

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation"

This is a huge step forward for the State Parks. This access shows that the state recognizes surfing and surfers as any other group that has a passion (something that has not really happened for surfers as a group - ever!) We need to be upstanding, law abiding citizens and continue to show the state that surfers are just that. Other 4-wheel user groups may not be pleased with our new access, so it must be assumed that we will have a target on our backs. It is imperative that we follow all the rules of the beach! We want to keep this access!

Some important reminders:

Read you permit carefully! (You can get it at the Belmont State Park Office until April 30th, as well as Robert Moses Office opposite Field 3) Cost is $ 65.00.

Be sure you ask for the 4x4 Surfing Permit or you will be sold the 4x4 Fishing Permit. They are not the same. The Fishing Permit does not allow use of your surfboard.

Make sure you have ALL the required equipment at ALL times!

This is a Surfing permit. Please bring a Surfboard or 2.

AIR DOWN before heading onto the beach!

Do NOT leave trash behind - Take out MORE than you took in!

Abide by the speed limit and drive safely.

Be friendly to all other beach users! (Do NOT debate, argue, curse, flip the bird, or "moon" others who may antagonize you... *Note: these are all things that have been pointed out as reasons why surfers should not be on the beach... true or not - avoid confrontations with anyone.)

So, get down there and enjoy your access to Demo and now Gilgo State Park!! And please, when we e-mail about clean ups and such, try to show up and lend a hand - it helps!

Looking forward to seeing you this summer !

LI Beach Access Group

PO Box 787

Babylon, NY 11702