Following a series of intense storms, miles of Fire Island’s east end beaches have been reduced to as little as three feet in width, creating a public safety emergency and threatening much of the island.

This is the worst beach erosion that our communities have experienced in decades. Yet the Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for beach replenishment on Fire Island, has refused to take immediate action to deal with this crisis, even as it prepares for a beach replenishment on Fire Island’s west end. Beaches from Seaview to Davis Park are in jeopardy. 

Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have called upon the Corps to take immediate action to repair the east end beaches, only to be rebuffed repeatedly. 

Already, the loss of much of the island's beach has created a situation in which emergency response vehicles, such as ambulances and fire trucks, are unable to travel between some communities in the event of fires or medical emergencies. This endangers the lives of residents, visitors, and emergency response personnel.

We are fearful of what will happen when the next storm hits. Without a beach, there will be nothing to protect our communities from even moderate coastal flooding.

Recent media coverage of this crisis and the threats we face can be found here:

• https://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/fire-island-fire-chiefs-council-beach-erosion-opnv6ifj
• https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/whered-the-beach-go-fire-island-erosion-a-major-concern/4858243/
• https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7bx8a/fire-island-beaches-disappearing-climate-change

Please sign our petition to urge the Army Corps of Engineers to expand the scope of its ongoing work to include Fire Island’s east end communities, which desperately need its help. 

Sincerely,
Henry Robin
President, Fire Island Pines Property Owners' Association

Tom Ruskin
President, Seaview Association