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Home My WebLink AboutFishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition OFFICE LOCATION: O��QF SUUr ' MAILING ADDRESS: Town Hall Annex Q P.O. Box 1179 54375 State Route 25 Southold, NY 11971 (cor. Main Rd. &Youngs Ave.) Southold, NY 11971 • �Q Telephone: 631 765-1938 �yeoUNTY,� LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM TOWN OF SOUTHOLD MEMORANDUM To: Glenn Goldsmith, President Town of Southold Board of Trustees From: Mark Terry, Assistant Town Planning Director LWRP Coordinator Date: February 11, 2021 Re: Local Waterfront Coastal Consistency Review for FISHERS ISLAND SEAGRASS MANAGEMENT COALITION Connor Jones on'befialf of the FISHERS ISLAND SEAGRPAS`S=MANAGEMENT COALITION requests an Administrative Permit to place two elongated'p'encil buoys 200 yards offshore of the beach area at the Fishers Island Golf Course 8th hole; each buoy to read: "Eelgrass Protection Area No Anchor Zone. The proposed action has been reviewed to Chapter 268, Waterfront Consistency Review of the Town of Southold Town Code and the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Policy Standards. Based upon the information provided on the LWRP Consistency Assessment Form submitted to this department, as well as the records available to me, it is my recommendation, that the action is CONSISTENT with the Policy Standards and therefore is CONSISTENT with the LWRP. Pursuant to Chapter 268, the Board of Trustees shall consider this recommendation in preparing its written determination regarding the consistency of the proposed action. Cc: Damon Hagan, Assistant Town Attorney Town of Southold EC IV E �___ LWRP CONSISTENCY ASSESSMENT FORM ' FEB 4 2021 Suo uiolldTown A. INSTRUCTIONS Planning Board 1. All applicants for permits* including Town of Southold agencies, shall complete this CCAF for proposed actions that are subject to the Town of Southold Waterfront Consistency Review Law. This assessment is intended to supplement other information used by a Town of Southold agency in making a determination of consistency. *Except minor exempt actions including Building'Permits and other ministerial permits not located within the Coastal Erosion Hazard Area. - 2. Before answering the questions in Section C, the preparer of this form should review the exempt minor action list, policies and explanations of each policy contained in the Town of Southold Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. A proposed action will be evaluated as to its siggificant beneficial and adverse effects upon the coastal area(which includes all of Southold Town). 3. If any question in Section C on this form is answered "yes" or "no", then the proposed action will affect the achievement of the LWRP policy standards and conditions contained in the consistency review law. Thus, each answer must be explained in detail, listing both supporting and non- supporting facts. If an action cannot be certified as consistent with the LWRP policy standards and conditions,it shall not be undertaken. A copy of the LWRP is available in the following places: online at the Town of Southold's website (southoldtown.northfork.net), the Board of Trustees Office, the Planning Department, all local libraries and the Town Clerk's office. B. DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND PROPOSED ACTION SCTM# - PROJECT NAME Fishers Island Eelgrass Protection Buoys The Application has been submitted to(check appropriate response): Town Board ❑ Planning Board❑ Building Dept. ❑ Board of Trustees 1. Category of Town of Southold agency action(check appropriate response): (a) Action undertaken directly by Town agency(e.g. capital ❑ construction,,planning activity,agency regulation,land transaction) ❑ (b) Financial assistance(e.g.grant,loan,subsidy) (c) Permit, approval,license,certification: KA Nature and extent of action: Submitted to the Town of Southold Board of Trustees for approval to install two eelgrass protection buoys. P Location of action: Fishers Island,8th Hole Beach(see Proposed Buoy Area map) Site acreage: The area itself is around 20 acres(the length of 8th Hole Beach,extending out just past the eelgrass meadows Present land use: N/A Present zoning classification: N/A 2. If an application for the proposed action has been filed with the Town of Southold agency, the following information shall be provided: (a) Name of applicant. Fishers Island Seagrass Management(FISM)Coalition(Connor Jones,FISM project coordinator) (b) Mailing address: 1109 Equestrian Ave Fishers Island,NY 06390 (c) Telephone number:Area Code( ) 585-746-1522 (d) Application number,if any: Will the action be directly undertaken,require funding,or approval by a state or federal agency? Yes ❑ No❑ If yes,which state or federal agency?I do not know if it will need state or federal approval C. Evaluate the project to the following policies by analyzing how the project will further support or not support the policies. Provide all proposed Best Management Practices that will further each policy. Incomplete answers will require that the form be returned for completion. DEVELOPED COAST POLICY Policy 1. Foster a pattern of development in the Town of Southold that enhances community character, preserves open space,makes efficient use of infrastructure,makes beneficial use of a coastal location, and minimizes adverse effects of development. See LVVRP Section III—Policies; Page 2 for evaluation criteria. a Yes ❑ No ❑ Not Applicable The buoys will help preserve the eelgrass(Zosters marina)meadows found in this particular area on Fishers Island.Eelgrass meadows are a sensitive and at risk coastal resource. Eelgrass meadows help to reduce beach erosion, improve water quality and provide habitat for many economically and recreationally important fish and shellfish species(summer/winter flounder, striped bass, lobster and bay scallops). Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 2. Protect and preserve historic and archaeological resources of the Town of Southold. See LVYMP Section III—Policies Pages 3 through 6 for evaluation criteria Fx] Yes 11 No 11 Not Applicable Historically, eelgrass was harvested and used for isulation in homes and fertilizer for crops.Today, eelgrass meadows are explored by scuba divers and snorkelers and targeted by recreational and commercial fishermen due to their high biodiversity. Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 3. Enhance visual quality and protect scenic resources throughout the Town of Southold. See LWRP Section III—Policies Pages 6 through 7 for evaluation criteria 0 Yes ❑ No ❑ Not Applicable The buoys will serve to preserve existing vegetation (eelgrass).The two,thin buoys will minimally obstruct the view out into the Sound from the 8th Hole Beach. Attach additional sheets if necessary NATURAL COAST POLICIES Policy 4. Minimize loss of life, structures, and natural resources from flooding and erosion. See LWRP Section III—Policies Pages 8 through 16 for evaluation criteria ' X Yes ❑ No ❑ Not Applicable Eelgrass meadows act to dampen wave energy which in tum slows beach erosion.The 8th Hole Beach is a stretch of sandy beach that benefits from the presence of eelgrass The buoys will work to minimize damage to eelgrass from boats. Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 5. Protect and improve water quality and supply in the Town of.Southold. See LWRP Section III —Policies Pages 16 through 21 for evaluation criteria ❑ Yes ❑ No 0 Not Applicable The proposed buoys will have no impact on the Island's drinking water. Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 6. Protect and restore the quality and function of the Town of Southold ecosystems including Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife habitats and wetlands. See LWRP Section III—Policies; Pages 22 through 32 for evaluation criteria. a ❑ - ❑ Yes No Not Applicable These buoys fall under Reach 10 (Fishers Island Beaches).The habitats that would benefit from from the no anchoring buoys include the eelgrass meadow and the adjacent beach Boat anchors and propellors directly rip up and cut through eelgrass. Repeated stress from boating can diminish the size of a meadow over time Degraded meadows offer less habitat for locally important fish and shellfish Loss of a meadow can also lead to a decrease in local water quality and an increas�.n beach erosion. Due to human activites in Long Island Sound eelgrass has become scarce. Fishers Island is fortunate to have 347 acres of eelgrass surrounding the island.Although abundant, it is at risk and will benefit from protection. Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 7. Protect and improve air quality in the Town of Southold. See LWRP Section III — Policies Pages 32 through 34 for evaluation criteria. ❑X Yes [:] No❑ Not Applicable No anchoring buoys may reduce vessel traffic to this area, and thus reduce emissions close to shore. Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 8. Minimize environmental degradation in Town of Southold from solid waste and hazardous substances and wastes. See LWRP Section III—Policies; Pages 34 through 38 for evaluation criteria. F] Yes ❑ No R Not Applicable PUBLIC COAST POLICIES Policy 9. Provide for public access to, and recreational use of, coastal waters, public lands, and public resources of the Town of Southold. See LWRP Section III—Policies; Pages 38 through 46 for evaluation criteria. ❑ YeI No❑ Not Applicable Proposed buoys will lead to a decrease in boat activity in existing eelgrass meadows, but boats will still be able to anchor further offshore in deeper waters not containing eelgrass. Attach additional sheets if necessary WORKING COAST POLICIES Policy 10. Protect Southold's water-dependent uses and promote siting of new water-dependent uses in suitable locations. See LWRP Section III Policies;Pages 47 through 56 for evaluation criteria. ® Yes ❑ No ❑ Not'Applicable Existing ferry service will be maintained (Silver Eel Cove and West Harbor). Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 11. Promote sustainable use of living marine resources in Long Island Sound, the Peconic Estuary and Town waters. See LWRP Section III—Policies; Pages 57 through 62 for evaluation criteria. 0 Yes ❑ No ❑ Not Applicable Eelgrass meadows are listed as Essestianl Fish Habitia_t(EFH)by NOAA Fisheries. No anchoring buoys will help ensure __that the Island's eelgrass meadows are protected and remain in good condition for years to come. Eelgrass restoration and replanting efforts inona Island So and haveproven to he expensive and ineffective and the latest research suggests that the best way to conserve this habitat is to protect what still remains.These buoys will specifically protect the current meadow from boat propellers and anchors. Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 12. Protect agricultural lands in the Town of Southold. See LWRP Section III—Policies; Pages 62 through 65 for evaluation criteria. ❑ Yes ❑ No[X� Not Applicable Attach additional sheets if necessary Policy 13. Promote appropriate use and development ,of energy and mineral resources. See LWRP Section III—Policies; Pages 65 through 68 for evaluation criteria. ❑ Yes ❑ No Q Not Applicable PREPARED BY Connor Jones TITLE FISM project coordinator DATE 9/10/2020 �N ;4 .r' 4tyW�� s;i' _ �.._ _..rr — r,f - _ `j .L��•47'�,.. � pt �• � tr 1 ' ��, �_ R�ql�`�".•, I��'^.bra Fr. h VA im -- N WI Z�~<It a , .t 'F nw •� 7 C E I V E r,- IslandLegendFishers ii� "th Hole Beach Proposed ONicopes 8th.fjole Beach • .► 1 a J, , • ; RNreck Island --TT ik N etres, I 3000 ft IF 21 2021 FISM Coalition Southold Town i Eelgrass Protection Buoy Information—To Approve Board of Trustees-- Proposed Location: Approximately 190 yards offshore of the "Eighth Hole" beach area. Two elongated pencil buoys (approximate size of a standard "no wake zone" buoy) will be placed at either end of the beach area as seen on the map. These buoys will be installed and maintained by FISM Coalition members. a s. � CRCOC S w 9Mti USDA FSA FISM Coalition Eelgrass Protection Buoy Information--To Approve Proposed Location: Approximately 190 yards offshore of the "Eighth Hole" beach area. Two elongated pencil buoys (approximate size of a standard "no wake zone" buoy) will be placed at either end of the beach area as seen on the map. These buoys will be installed and maintained by FISM Coalition members. ` A • r ' t n� CAC[)Gaae o!CT,rie.YS Seta.USOA FSS! EWE D FJAN 2 1 2021 * ••. k' F� � Yards Measurement Result `i � � 201.7 Yards Powered by Esri and SeaSketch