11th Coastal Policy Conference

Friday, March 23, 2001
Southampton College of Long Island University

The Long Island Coastal Alliance (LICA) will hold its 11th Coastal Policy Conference on Friday, March 23. Southampton College of Long Island University, whose curriculum in Marine and Environmental Science is increasingly well known, is host. Sponsors (to date) include First Coastal Corporation and the Long Island Shore & Beach Preservation Association. This year's conference will be of special interest to those who care about Fire Island, as pressure grows for government to acquire properties there. 

For example, the Corps of Engineers FIIP document notes: "The National Park Service has indicated a desire to maintain the dune and beach in a natural condition including a consideration of: life-tenancy until 50% or more of a home is destroyed by flooding or storm; trade of NPS lots inside communities and in "strips:; transfer from state after Article 34 designation makes sites unbuildable, transfer from Suffolk County for unpaid taxes, or continued private ownership in a natural condition; condemnation and purchase of developed and undeveloped tracts; and, purchase from willing seller." (Main Report and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Fire Island Inlet to Moriches Inlet, Draft Decision Document, Para. 119, p. 41, November 1999) 

Nor is NPS the only entity interested in acquiring property on Fire Island. Suffolk County is among the leaders of government agencies acquiring open space. Among non-governmental organizations, the Nature Conservancy has also shown interest, especially in properties in the state's Coastal Erosion Hazard Area (CEHA). Land acquisition policies of Suffolk County and the Nature Conservancy will be discussed by DeWitt Davies of the County Planning Department, and Susan Antenen, Director of Coastal Programs, TNC. The rights of property owners and communities to use temporary shore protection devices, such as geo-tubes, will be discussed by Professor Michael S. Bruno, who recently completed a study of this for the Town of Southampton. NYDEC will enforce its CEHA Management Program on Fire Island in the Town of Islip, while Brookhaven will apply the state law in its part of Fire Island. Jeffrey Kassner will discuss Article 34's application in Brookhaven. 

The Army Corps of Engineers has been studying the environmental implications of shore protection on Fire Island for several years. Lynn Marie Bocamazo, Senior Project Engineer, will provide an update on the Corps's Reformulation Study. Do landowners have a right to a coastal policy that protects their property? Irving Like and Leon Friedman, specialists in class action litigation and property rights respectively, discuss the question. Long Island isn't alone. Lawrence R. Liebesman, an environment lawyer with a national practice, provides insight into how other communities cope with shore-related environment issues. Will a new administration in Washington change the ground rules? Howard Marlowe, a Washington lobbyist for coastal municipalities will talk about new faces and old issues. 

Conference registration begins at 8:30 a.m., Friday, March 23, 2001 at Chandler Hall on the Southampton College campus, 239 Montauk Highway, Southampton (about one hour east of Islip Airport using Sunrise Highway). The fee of $40 ($30 to government employees; $20 to students) includes lunch.

To reserve a place, send a check to LICA, Inc., 263 West 20th Street, New York NY 10011-3542.