Brookhaven Officials Call for Federal Government to Renourish Fire Island Beaches After Severe Storm Damage

On Tuesday, October 3, Supervisor Ed Romaine (second from left), Councilman Neil Foley (right) and Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro (center) held a press conference at Davis Park, Fire Island to urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to repair beach erosion and other storm damage that has impacted the stability and resilience of the ocean beaches in Brookhaven Town. The damaged ocean communities include Davis Park, Ocean Bay Park, Point O’Woods, Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines and Water Island. In a recent letter to US Senator Charles Schumer, Supervisor Romaine wrote, “Failure to act immediately will be detrimental to all of the Brookhaven communities not included in the current scope of work.”

File Photo

The press conference, which was held overlooking the storm-damaged beach, was attended by a nearly 50 people, including residents from Davis Park and other Fire Island communities. The focus was on the importance of the vulnerable island and how it protects the mainland during dangerous storms and hurricanes. Supervisor Romaine asked the US Army Corps of Engineers, who are working on beaches to the west of Brookhaven Town, to continue east to “help save our beaches and save our Fire Island.” Councilman Foley stressed that “It is not a cosmetic issue, it is a safety issue. Dunes save lives during storms. Senator Schumer, Senator Gillebrand and Governor Hochul, we need your help.” Highway Superintendent Losquadro said, “This is not only for the protection of lives on Fire Island, we need to protect the residents of the south shore of Long Island.”

The press conference also included comments by Henry Robin, president of the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association (left) and Jayne Robinson, president of the Davis Park Civic Association. To view the complete press conference video, go to www.BrookhavenNY.gov.