Hello!

With the unofficial end of summer looming, I can’t help but reflect fondly on these last few months. We have seen so many of you and your families this summer. The best part of our activities and events was sharing them with our members and community who love Montauk as much as we do! Check out our video recap of our summer events!

I want to also mention that on August 17th an algal bloom was detected in Fort Pond. We are urging people to refrain from recreating in Fort Pond until blue-green algae levels start to recede. You will find more information about the bloom in this month's opening article.  

CCOM, in partnership with the Gobler Lab at Stony Brook Southampton, monitors blue-green algae levels in Fort Pond weekly during the summer. Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms that naturally occur in lakes and streams.

In slow-moving waters, blue-green algae can multiply and “bloom” rapidly in response to sunlight, warming temperatures, and excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen). These blooms can produce cyanotoxins that have been linked to acute poisoning of humans, pets, and wildlife. Exposure to cyanotoxins occurs most frequently through water inadvertently ingested during recreational activities. Dogs are particularly susceptible to ingesting toxins when they lick their fur after exiting a bloom site.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) considers a concentration of 25 ug/L (micrograms per liter) and above as a bloom. The blue-green algae levels in our Fort Pond samples have been increasing throughout the summer and on August 17 they exceeded 25 ug/L.

WE STRONGLY URGE PEOPLE TO USE CAUTION ENTERING FORT POND UNTIL THE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE LEVELS RECEDE. IF YOU HAVE CONTACT WITH FORT POND WATER, RINSE THOROUGHLY WITH CLEAN WATER. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY IF SYMPTOMS SUCH AS VOMITING, NAUSEA, DIARRHEA, SKIN, EYE OR THROAT IRRITATION, ALLERGIC REACTIONS, OR BREATHING DIFFICULTIES OCCUR.

The Gobler Lab is working to identify the dominant species of blue-green algae in our Fort Pond samples and will also be testing for toxins, which can take up to 14 days - levels at 20 ug/L trigger toxicity testing. We will continue to share our results on our social media and website. To see our past and present HAB monitoring data, check out our weekly press releases.

You can also learn more about what CCOM is doing to decrease HABs by visiting our water quality page.

Thank you to our members and supporters who provided their backing for the Coastal Assessment and Resiliency Plan (CARP) at the East Hampton Town Board Public Hearing on August 4th. CCOM has played a key role in the development of this plan which addresses Montauk’s vulnerability to climate change, sea level rise, storm surge and coastal inundation.

CCOM President and CARP Committee co-chair, Laura Tooman provided testimony in support of advancing the plan and it is expected that the plan will be adopted by town board vote in early September.

This summer’s abnormally dry conditions on the East End have recently prompted the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) to urge residents to take immediate steps to conserve water, with irrigation a key focus area. As part of its water conservation outreach, SWCA has suggested that homeowners water lawns less frequently, as lawns do not require daily watering and, in fact, do better with less frequent watering.

The recent dry conditions also serve as a reminder of the importance of water conservation in general. While reduced lawn and plant irrigation is a major way to help conserve water, there are several other actions that we all can take:

(1) turn off the tap while brushing teeth and shaving

(2) reduce toilet flushing

(3) fix leaks, including replacing washers in old, dripping taps

(4) take shorter and less frequent showers

(5) install efficient fixtures

(6) reduce the number of washing machine loads

For more water-saving tips, visit Water Use It Wisely. Remember, your water use has a direct impact on Long Island’s aquifer and our quality of life.

Join CCOM for our annual family picnic at Fort Pond House! Pack your own picnic or enjoy some old-fashioned barbeque favorites and soft drinks! This event is free & open to the public. Please register for this event by email: Info@PreserveMontauk.org

For more information, visit our events page.

Larry Raymond died on June 29th at his home in Manhattan at 86 years old. Larry loved Montauk and was a passionate advocate for environmental causes. He was a CCOM member for many years and served as treasurer. A memorial will be held for him at the Montauk Community Church this fall. CCOM greatly appreciates the family’s request that donations to his memory be used to further our environmental work in his name. Please click here for the full obituary.

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