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Home My WebLink About1987 ( ( .' . . Winter - 1987 Fishers Island Civic Association Fishers Island Conservancy Fishers Island Development Corp. To all Fishers Islanders: As you know, our Island in recent years has come under increasing pressures from an expanding private development boom that is rapidly reaching the saturation point. This expansion has not only resulted in lots of new houses - it has put very real and indeed sometimes severe strains on the scenic beauty and natural resources of the Island itself, particularly in such areas as wetland maintenance and preservation, prevention of over- development, water resources, and above all on efforts to keep the Island free from various forms of pollution. Though many Islanders are unaware of this, several governmental agencies, ranging from the N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), to Suffolk County's Department of Health Services, to the Town of Southold - all have varying degrees of jurisdiction over Fishers Island, its environment and its resources. Our fresh\.mter \,retlands, for example, are nearly all of "unusual local importance" and therefore come under the purview of the N.Y. Stat~ DEC as well as the trustees of the Town of Southold. Tnese agencies do not mean or intend to obstruct reasonable plans or sound development practices. Rather they are there to prevent ecological damage, unthinking pollution, significant alteration, over-development or exploitation of the Island's rare resources and irreplaceable natural environment. ( ( .' . - 2 - . requirements from the N.Y. State DEC, the N.Y. State Coastal Management Program, local and county agencies, and/or the Army Corps of Engineers in most construction cases. (3) Building inspectors from Southold and on the Island are or course to be consulted for relevant permits in the case of house construction, but it should also be kept in mind that the digging and drilling of wells and the placement or septic systems are also permit regulated activites. Both Southold, the Surrolk Co. Health Department (and the DEC ir a well or septic system is placed near a wetland) should always be notiried and proper permits sought. In cases or house siting near a wetland or reservoir, the N.Y. state DEC's written permission is a must. Pollution or all kinds comprises one or the greatest hazards to ~ishers Island and its very fragile eco-system. Current N.Y. State law requires that a permit be obtained ror ~y herbicide or pesticide spraying within 100 reet or the boun ary or a rresh- water wetland, and that a certiried applicator be used - all permits to be obtained rrom the N.Y. State DEC. The use or toxic chemicals is derinitely discouraged here, not only because or their inherent hazard to rish and all wildlire, but also because or the very real danger or seepage into groundwater and thus into the Island's water supply. Even the non-toxic and bio-degradable BTI used in the summer mosquito control program requires (and uses) proper permits and applicators certified by the N.Y. State DEC. It should be noted that the penalties ror non-compliance in any- of these areas tend to be severe, and that these environmental laws, besides being protective of the Island's eco-system, have some sharp teeth to back them up. * In conclusion vie wish to re-iterate that these "no\'1 in erfect" rules and regulations are not meant to hamper reasonable activity or construction, despite the obvious time and trouble involved in obtaining permits and permissions. The environmental laws are really meant to protect both the Island and its residents rrom the hazards attendant on both pollution and destructive development, as well as the damage which unrestricted and thoughtless actions can sometimes inflict on a rragile barrier island such as ours. \Vhen in doubt - or ir questions arise - by all means Vlrite or call someone in authority, or someone with a knowlege or these regulations. Attached to the end or this letter please find a list or relevant telephone numbers and addresses which we hope you will use as the occasion warrants. We all think that saving Fishers Island rrom the rate that has berallen so many other shore and island communities is well worth the kind of extra effort now required. The end result-should be a better and sarer Island ror all of us. We thank you in advance for both your help and your co-operation. (4) ~ .,. .. . - 3 - . ADDRESSES OF OFFICIALS AND BUREAUS. ( 1. N.Y. State Department Permit A~~inistrators Building 40, SUNY, Stony Brook, N.Y. of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Office (a~l environmental questions, permits). {< (Charles Hamil ton -coastal matters). 1179L~ (,all phones - 516-751-7900). 2. N.Y. State Coastal Management Program (Thomas Hart) 162 Washington Avenue, * (Shore work, erosion, bluffs, habitats). Albany, N.Y. 12231 518-474-3643 3. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch, Eastern Permits Section (James Mansky - Chief) 26 Federal Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10278-0090 (for shore-line work, docks, etc.) 4. Suffolk County Department of Health Services (sewers, septic tanks~ 225 Rabro Drive, East wells ~ drilling, water mattersJ. Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788 (Robert Villa - Chief Engineer; 516-348-2786) 5. Southold Town Board of Trustees (local environmental ~ermits) Town of Southold (Eileen Pfifferling, Secretary) P.O. Box 728, Southold, N.Y. 11971 516-765-1892 6. Soutnold To,m Building Inspector P . O. BoX if 1179 Southold, N.Y. 11971 (Victor Lessard & Curtis Horton) 516-765-1802 ( 7. Southold nealth Deoartment Room 204, County Center Ri verhead, N.Y. 11901 (local health problems) 516-548-3327 or 3322 ..~ '* i" RESOURCE PERSONS FISHERS ISLAND, N.Y. 06390 1. Island Building Inspector (Clarence Dixon) 516-788-7348 2. Fishers Island Development Corp. (DiCk Baker) 516-788-7251 3. Fishers Island Conservancy (John Thatcher, Jr.) 516-788-7437 Box 553, Fishers Island, N.Y. 06390 ofc. 201-635-5470 winter address: Box if 132, Green Village, N.J. 07935 Ofe. or 6. Councilman Raymond Edwards, Fishers Island, N.Y. 516-788-7881 216-653-$703 44236 516-788-7813 or 609-771-1847 .516-788-7646 516-788-7479 Conn. 06032 4. ~ishers Island Civic Association (Brad Burnham) Fishers Island, N.Y. 06390 or winter winter address: 15 Prospect Street, Hudson, Oh~o. 5. Fishers Island Development Corp. (Bill Ridgway) Office address: N.J. Office of Telecommunications 840 Bear Tavern Road, West Trenton, N.J. 08625 L 7. H.L. Ferguson Museum (Charles Ferguson) winter address: 33 Farmstead Lane, Farmington, summer address: Fishers Island, N.Y. 06390