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I hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. The island has been magical these past few weeks, and the crowds enjoying their homes in the off season seem to grow with each passing year.
You may recall from my last update that the Army Corps of Engineers has thus far declined to budge from its decision not to extend their upcoming beach repair work at the island’s western communities to its eastern communities, including the Pines. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have been advocating for us, so far without success.
We have redoubled our efforts in response. We recently joined with the Seaview Association to turn up the pressure on the Corps, and together have engaged Actum, a leading public affairs and government relations consultancy, to strategically lead this effort.
Their team has held numerous conversations with local, county, state and federal elected officials and their staffs. They include Schumer and Gillibrand, Congressman Andrew Garbarino, State Senator Brad Hoylman, and incoming Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, currently the Brookhaven Town Supervisor. So too have members of the Pines community with close relationships with our elected officials and their staff members. Many of those officials are working behind the scenes to move the agency off its position.
We have also had considerable success amping up pressure in the news media – you can read recent news coverage below.
It is crucial for all of us to start taking concrete steps to showcase strong support from our community of residents, visitors, and allies for this effort. To that end, we are launching an online petition and planning a press conference. Your participation is crucial for both.
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Please sign the new Change.org petition. It can be found here: https://chng.it/vBbyRHFdHx
- We would appreciate your sharing the link to the petition on your social media pages. Below, please find sample language that we encourage you to use in your posts:
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“Fire Island faces the worst beach erosion in years, with some parts of the beach only three feet wide. The Army Corps of Engineers must act NOW to protect the island’s eastern communities. Sign the petition to demand immediate action: https://chng.it/vBbyRHFdHx”
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“Fire Island Pines’ beach is in danger from intense storms, posing a serious threat to public safety. Yet the Army Corps of Engineers is refusing to act. Our elected officials are calling for action, and we urgently need your support as well. Sign the petition to urge the Army Corps to protect our community: https://chng.it/vBbyRHFdHx”
- Join us for a press conference later this month or in early December. We are working to confirm a date and time that work for our elected officials and others. We will circulate more information when the event is firmed up.
Below are recent stories in the media about the situation:
Newsday - Fire Island fire chiefs: Washed-out beaches 'ticking time bomb' for first responders
Newsday TV - Fire Island officials urging action to repair storm-damaged beaches
WNBC-TV - Where'd the beach go? Fire Island erosion a major concern
Vice - Climate Change Is Threatening Fire Island’s Beaches—and its Queer History
In the coming weeks you will also see an op-ed in Newsday, coverage on News12 Long Island, and stories in several LGBTQ publications about the threat faced by one of the country’s most historic gay communities.
This effort is crucial. While we are pushing the Corps for an emergency repair now, we are also due for a periodic beach renourishment next year, based on our 25 year agreement with the Corps. That will be its own challenge, as funding and obtaining all the necessary inter-government agreements will be uncertain. Our actions today to build support for our beach will reap benefits no matter what.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued support.
Best,
Henry
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