Farmingville, NY - On December 9, Supervisor Ed Romaine sent a letter to Brookhaven Town’s federal representatives Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Lee Zeldin to ask for “immediate assistance in securing the resources necessary” to rebuild, protect and preserve the access roads, infrastructure and dunes on Fire Island. The Supervisor also sent an email with a copy of the letter to the Cherry Grove Property Owner’s Association, Fire Island Year Round Residents Association, Fair Harbor Fire Department and Fire Island property owners. In the letter, the Supervisor stressed the importance of Fire Island as a storm barrier, protecting Long Island from “large and energetic ocean waves that could decimate mainland communities on the south shore.” In addition, he said that the barrier island plays a significant role in the Town’s tourism economy as a vacation and recreation destination for out-of-towners and local residents.
In 2019, Fire Island felt the impact of damaging storms and nor’easters that destroyed the dune replenishment project initiated by the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) after Super Storm Sandy. Supervisor Romaine acknowledged that the USACE has the “expertise needed to handle coastal problems of this magnitude,” and that “measures need to be taken now to protect our communities and ensure their long-term well-being.”
Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone 631-451-6595