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As you may be aware, the recent pre-Christmas storm that affected most of the U.S. including the Northeastern seaboard affected the Pines. Based on pictures and visual sighting, damage was done to our beach, including some of the public crossovers and handicap accessible walkways, fencing, and grass. It appears that areas in the West end of the Pines were particularly impacted.
Over the past several days, FIPPOA has been in direct contact with both Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven. The purpose of this communication is to share with you as much information as I currently have about where things stand with respect to assessing and repairing the damage.
Let me start with the condition of the beach and the dune.
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Suffolk County has hired a 3rd party surveyor to come to the Pines as early as next week to determine the impact of the storm’s erosion.
- The new beach surveys will be compared to the base-line standards from both the original FIMI project and the most recent readings compiled prior to last week’s storm.
- Based on their assessment, Suffolk County will decide whether maintenance (renourishment) of our beach and dunes is warranted.
- Assuming it is warranted, the county will alert the New York State DEC and the Army Corp and will seek their cooperation either by submitting a standalone request for renourishment or (more likely) by seeking to amend an existing and approved 2019 request for renourishment of damaged beach in communities on the West end of Fire Island (starting at Seaview and moving westward).
- If we are successful in amending the West end project to include the East end communities (including The Pines), the work is expected to begin during the Fall of next year (2023).
Regarding the public crossovers, Suffolk County will also conduct visual assessments to determine what if any repairs are necessary and within the scope of their responsibility. Those repairs would be completed prior to the start of the 2023 season.
Regarding snow fencing and grass plantings damaged or destroyed by the storm, while Suffolk County will also determine what if any are within their scope of responsibility, it is most likely that these repairs will need to be conducted directly by FIPPOA (and the Seashore Defense Fund) with cooperation from the Town of Brookhaven. Once we have more information about the extent of damage and the responsible party, we will proactively develop a plan for replacement as soon as possible.
Finally, FIPPOA worked with the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department to prioritize a temporary repair at the Coast Guard cut to allowed for vehicle access to and from the Pines, particularly in the event of required emergency aid. This work was completed yesterday.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me directly by reply email or calling my cell phone (917-353-4994).
Happy New Year to you all.
Henry
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