Dear, 
Supervisor, Kathee Burke Gonzalez
Deputy Supervisor, Cate Rogers 
Town Board Member, Tom Flight 
Town Board Memer, Ian Calder-Piedmonte
Town Board Member, David Lys

cc:
New York Assemblyman, Fred Thiele
Suffolk County Legislature, Ann Wellker
Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Shumer
New York State Senator, Anthony Palumbo

We, the undersigned, representing concerned residents of Ditch Plains, Montauk, NY, in the Town of East Hampton, and all recreational users of Ditch Plains, urgently appeal to the East Hampton Town Board to take immediate and decisive action to address the critical loss of the protective dune at Ditch Plains, a consequence of two recent coastal storms.

This emergency situation not only places the Ditch Plains residential community at significant risk from future storm activities but also jeopardizes the appeal of the beach to residents and tourists alike. The Ditch Plains Beach Community is not merely a beloved destination but a cornerstone of the Town of East Hampton's economy. The identity of Montauk is intertwined with surfing, making it a sought-after place to visit and reside.

We urge the Town to embark on a comprehensive initiative for sand replenishment and dune restoration to safeguard the future of Ditch Plains. The restoration must include replanting vegetation in the spring to stabilize the dune. The continued vitality of Ditch Plains is not a preference but an absolute necessity.

Despite Ditch Plains being excluded from the Fire Island to Montauk Point project (FIMP) by the Army Corps of Engineers, we implore the Town Board to work expeditiously with all Federal, State, and County officials to rectify this omission. Utilizing the existing dredge infrastructure that will be in place for FIMP/Downtown Montauk to pump sand onto Ditch is crucial for swiftly fortifying the dunes. These actions align with the adopted East Hampton Town Coastal Resiliency and Adaptation Plan, specifically focusing on "Beach and Dune Management" and "Bluff Restoration" to manage adverse shoreline erosion impacts.

While East Hampton Town Boards were asked to fortify the dunes by installing inexpensive snow fencing in the past, it has only been implemented on a very limited basis. We emphasize the importance of undertaking all proactive measures. Following Hurricane Sandy, the initiative to install snow fencing along damaged dunes led to their successful recovery. While not a complete solution, this initiative must be incorporated into an ongoing beach maintenance plan for Dune Maintenance/Fortification and Beach Nourishment that the Town must implement for Ditch Plains.

We urge the East Hampton Town Board to explore all sources of public grant funds for this endeavor and consider the establishment of an Erosion Control District. However, such considerations should not cause any delay in utilizing East Hampton Town funds for immediate action to address this emergency before the next storm. Therefore, we request swift action by the East Hampton Town Board to address the dire and urgent conditions at Ditch Plains.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent call to action. 

Sincerely,

The Ditch Plains Association, alongside the undersigned members of the community and all who cherish and recreate at Ditch Plains Beach in Montauk, New York.