Protecting Watersheds

After a successful start buying watershed properties around Lake Montauk, the East Hampton Town Board is targeting land around Accabonac Harbor. Using money from the community preservation fund, the board and Department of Land Acquisition and Management have embarked on an ongoing effort to acquire and prevent development of a number of privately owned parcels in Springs that drain toward the harbor.

The importance of this initiative is underscored by a massive fish kill recently in parts of Peconic Bay, which has been attributed to runoff and other man-made causes. Concerns about water quality at Accabonac are not new; its southern reaches are off-limits to shellfishing in all but the winter months.

One aspect of recent town land buys, that some parcels have houses on them, has prompted some argument against acquisition. It is important to remember that in ecologically sensitive areas removing habitable structures is entirely in keeping with the goals of the community preservation fund law. And yes, the extra expense is justifiable and legal as long as the houses are removed.

To the town board, we say, buy them now while you still can.