For about 15 years, the US Navy has been cleaning up contaminants at the Enterprise Park at Calverton (EPCAL), in the Town of Riverhead. A toxic groundwater plume from the site is threatening the Peconic River and has contaminated a few drinking water wells in the surrounding area.

We encourage the Navy to move forward with their remediation plan, but we also believe that there is more work needed to fully clean up the toxic plume. A major portion of the plume remains outside of the EPCAL fence line and there are currently no plans for treating that portion.

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ACTION ALERT!

Important Public Meeting
Thursday, November 3^rd at 5:30PM
George Young Community Center (446 S. Jamesport Ave., Jamesport)

For about 15 years, the US Navy has been cleaning up contaminants from past uses of the old Grumman site (also known as EPCAL) in the Town of Riverhead. Recently the Suffolk County Department of Health Services discovered that the toxic groundwater plume on the southeast side of the property was much larger than the Navy had originally thought.  

Pollutants from Grumman’s Navy jet engine testing have now reached the Peconic River and have also contaminated a few drinking water wells in the area.

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ACTION ALERT!

Non-agricultural PDDs allow for development proposals that can disregard existing zoning in exchange for providing public benefits, which have been difficult to secure in the past. Although the design flexibility and opportunity for public benefits could be positive, the best outcome requires a review process that includes public scrutiny and a high level of certainty in Town Board decisions.  

The supermajority requirement assures a higher standard for agreement among Town Board members for approval of non-agricultural PDDs, which is essential to proper community planning. 

If you are registered to vote in Southampton Town, we urge you to VOTE YES on this important referendum!

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ACTION ALERT

Public Hearing
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 2:00PM
Riverhead Town Hall (200 Howell Avenue)

Riverhead may soon join the other East End towns that allow the public to comment on site plan applications before the Planning Board.  Currently, the public has limited opportunity to engage in the Town's review of any development applications, much less those that could have an impact on the environment, community character or quality of our lives.

On September 7th, Riverhead Town Board will consider a proposal to formally provide any member of the public the right to testify before the Planning Board regarding a site plan application. Under this new law, public hearings would be noticed in the newspaper and notices would appear on the project's proposed site.

Group for the East End strongly supports public input within the planning process and looks forward to a more open and comprehensive planning process within the Town of Riverhead. Citizen participation is essential in shaping a sustainable future for our communities.

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ACTION ALERT

Public Hearing
Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 1:00PM
Southampton Town Hall

PDD Approval May Soon Require Supermajority Vote 

On Tuesday, August 9th, the Town Board will consider a resolution that would allow Southampton residents to decide whether a supermajority vote (approval from 4 out of 5 board members) should be required for the approval of Planned Development District (PDD) applications.

Group for the East End has supported the requirement for a supermajority vote throughout the reform process.  We believe it would add a crucial safeguard against PDDs that may not be in the best interests of the community.

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ACTION ALERT

County Executive Blocks Preservation of Pine Barrens Land

County Executive Steve Levy’s recently vetoed a planning steps resolution for the acquisition of over 400 acres of Pine Barrens in the Town of Southampton. Considering his public statements about the importance of the County’s open space protection program, we are shocked by this most recent decision.

Why Preserve the “East Quogue Partners” Property?

The parcel in question (owned by “East Quogue Partners LLC”) represents an exceptionally large and valuable tract of Pine Barrens habitat. It is a priority acquisition for the Town of Southampton, lies adjacent to other contiguous protected properties, provides significant watershed protection, and offers wildlife habitat in an area of increasing development.

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ACTION ALERT 

Support a Short-Term Moratorium to Plan for Development on Route 25A

Be a Part of Planning the Best Future for Wading River
Group for the East End and the Riverhead Neighborhood Preservation Coalition are trying to Save Wading River and prevent commercial sprawl on the 25A Wading River corridor. Four proposals totaling 130,000 sq. ft. of new commercial development are threatening the environment and rural character of the area.
 
Over the last several months we have called for a comprehensive planning study that would examine the current conditions, zoning, environmental issues and quality of life impacts. Our efforts have paid off. The Riverhead Town Board has agreed to a corridor study and an update of the Town's Comprehensive Plan. However, they have not yet agreed to enact a moratorium.
 
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Below is a map of the approximate subdivision area (outlined in red) and a portion of the Speonk groundwater plume, which is migrating southward, toward the "Estates at Remsenburg" property.

Chairman Dennis Finnerty
& Members of the Southampton Town Planning Board
Southampton Town
116 Hampton Road
Southampton, NY 11968   

        Re: Estates At Remsenburg (Tax Map #900-368-3-52 & 54.1)

Dear Chairman Finnerty & Members of the Planning Board,

On behalf of Group for the East End, please accept the following concerns and recommendations regarding the proposed subdivision development known as the Estates at Remsenburg.  

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ACTION ALERT

PUBLIC HEARING
Shelter Island Town Hall
Friday, June 10th at 5:00PM

The causeways leading to Little Ram and Big Ram Islands are special places that require special protection. These low-lying areas are critical to the state of your harbors, creeks and bays, form vital wildlife habitat and buffer our shores against flooding and storms. Over the past 15 months, the Shelter Island Town Board has taken a broad look at the potential for causeway development, and the potential for moving future development off of the causeways and into more sensible areas.

Proposed regulations to be reviewed at a public hearing this Friday will reduce causeway development, but not eliminate it.

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ACTION ALERT

Suffolk County Legislature is considering a proposal to ban the sale and use of coal tar-based sealants, a product used to seal driveways and other surfaces.  Alarmingly, this product contains toxic, carcinogenic chemicals known as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).

Scientific Research Indicates Harm

Scientific literature has linked the product to human health risks.  Recently, the U.S. Geologic Survey found the chemicals in settled house dust, emanating from nearby paved surfaces like parking lots and driveways. 

The chemicals are troubling enough that the Environmental Protection Agency lists them on the National Waste Minimization Program as one of the “31 Priority Chemicals” to eliminate. 

Studies have also shown high levels of the chemicals in surface waters and have identified impacts to water quality and aquatic life. 

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