Fencing Okayed For Sagaponack

Despite objections from farmers to a proposed law on the installation of eight-foot-high deer fences, which they said would be burdensome, the Sagaponack Village Board passed the measure without revision last week.

The village code had stated that deer fences were allowed only on properties in agriculture production; the new law defines agricultural production as a commercial enterprise and among other provisions, it requires applicants to demonstrate that an economic loss would occur without fencing.

The installation also would have to protect the “visual and scenic resources of the village.” It contains a sunset clause requiring such fences to be removed on agricultural land that has remained fallow for two years.