Public Hearing Information:

Southold Town Board
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 4:35 p.m.
Southold Town Hall (53095 Main Road, Southold)

Please attend the public hearing on July 27th and support the adoption of the Town of Southold’s proposal for a sustainable local law commonly known as “dark skies” legislation.

Dark skies legislation embodies the principles of sustainability by preserving the local environment, protecting the views of our precious nighttime sky, improving safety by reducing dangerous glare on roadways, helping to reduce light intrusion from neighboring properties and importantly reduces the use of energy consumption.  

To learn more about dark skies click here. 

The proposed local law strictly pertains to new construction and substantial renovations and has demonstrated conservation value as municipalities -- and even states across the U.S. -- have successfully adopted dark skies legislation. The legislation works to address excessive, poorly aimed and poorly placed lighting fixtures. 

To learn more about appropriate fixtures and what’s being proposed click here. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Please attend the hearing on July 27, 2010 and voice your support for dark skies legislation.  

If you cannot attend the hearing, please write a letter or e-mail Supervisor Scott Russell and members of the Southold Town Board.  You can copy and paste the language below into a letter or e-mail (supervisor@town.southold.ny.us).

Dear Supervisor Scott Russell and Members of the Town Board,

I am writing to express strong support for the proposed local law in relation to regulation exterior lighting.  Dark skies legislation will provide significant positive benefits for all residents and business owners within the Town of Southold.

Responsible outdoor lighting practices help to preserve our environment and the view of our nighttime sky.  Safety is increased as dangerous glare from roadway fixtures is addressed.  Importantly, energy consumption is reduced and over time this alone provides a great positive impact for our local and global community.

Thank you in advance for your support of dark skies legislation.  I look forward to its passage. 

Sincerely,

Contact: Kate Schertel    
(631) 765-6450, ext. 208
kschertel@eastendenvironment.org


LOCAL, AWARD-WINNING MICRO-DOC TO BE SCREENED AT LONG ISLAND FILM EXPO
View Group for the East End’s Faith in a Seed on Saturday, July 11th at 7PM (Bellmore Movies)

July 7, 2010, Southold, NY – When William Goins of GoShow Entertainment (www.goshowent.com) was hired to produce a micro-documentary about the work of Group for the East End, he never expected that it would be the award-winning film it has become today. A winner of “Platinum Best In Show” at the Houston International Film Festival, it will be screened again this Saturday in front of a more local audience at the Long Island International Film Expo.

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By Paul Stoutenburgh

While growing up on the East End of Long Island I have always thought of Plum Island as a giant mysterious laboratory where scientists created bizarre animals.  During my summer internship with the Group for the East End, I have done some research and found that the majority of the island is actually pristine wildlife habitat, and currently 90% percent of the island remains undeveloped.  In 2009 the federal government passed a law that will allow for the sale of Plum Island to the highest bidder.  Many organizations, businesses, and even agencies have become concerned about what the sale of the island could mean for the diverse wildlife populations on Plum Island.

There have been several notable recognitions that emphasize Plum Island’s ecological importance.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service have labeled the Plum Island as a “Critical Natural Resource Area”.  The New York State Department of State has recognized the island as a “Coastal Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat”.  Just off the southeastern section of the island you can find the second largest haul-out site for Harbor and Grey Seals in New England.  The most critical ecological function of Plum Island is its role as a diverse bird sanctuary.

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By Paul Stoutenburgh, Intern

On what started out as a calm Tuesday morning in the office, I volunteered to jump into the car with my coworkers, Jenn and Kate, to remove some Phragmites (an invasive wetland plant) from the shores of Marion Lake in East Marion, on the North Fork.  Shortly after arriving at Marion Lake, we realized we were underprepared for the intense dirty job ahead of us. 

We returned to the office to gear up against the marsh muck and sharp Phragmites stems, and returned to Marion Lake ready for battle.  The Phragmites removal is part of the Marion Lake Project coordinated by the Marion Lake Restoration Committee in collaboration with the New York State DEC.  The Restoration Committee has hired contractors to cut and wick (apply a chemical) to the Phragmites stems, but they are in need of volunteers to help remove the cut pieces of the plant so they can finish the project in time.

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By Jeremy Samuelson

"Transparency is a fake word." That was Town Board Member Theresa Quigley's response to a request for a public hearing on the sale of public park land. To make matters even worse, Mrs. Quigley, Supervisor Bill Wilkinson and fellow Board Member Dominick Stanzione, refuses to hold a public forum explaining how proceeds from land sales will be used. With less than one-minute of discussion, no public hearing and no notice, Quigley, Wilkinson and Stanzione agreed to list for sale 3.9 acres of public parkland which the Town bought in 2003 for both "passive and active recreation" use.

Simply put, your land is being sold without notice, without a public hearing and they wont even tell you how the money is going to be used.

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Group For The East End’s Fifteenth Annual Fauna-thon took place on Saturday, May 22. From pre-dawn to post-dusk, teams of naturalists scoured the Towns of Riverhead, Southold, Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island looking for as many species of amphibians, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, and reptiles as they could find. Thirty-four (34) volunteers ventured out on fifteen (15) search teams on a pleasant late-spring day, with mostly clear skies and temperatures climbing to the mid-70s.

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