The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation will hold a public meeting next Thursday at 6 p.m. at Montauk Downs State Park to discuss emergency work being completed at Napeague and Hither Hills State Parks in response to the southern pine beetle infestation.
The infestation killed thousands of trees in the two parks, many of which have yet to be removed.
Right now, the parks office is in the midst of a multiyear project intended to reduce the wildfire fuel load in the area through tree removal and improvements to trail safety.
More specifically, the project calls for the creation of fuel breaks near houses against the pine forest, the cutting of dead trees near the Promised Land Trail, the stacking of dead trees for disposal, and the development of a fire mitigation plan with a burn boss, an official who organizes prescribed burns, and local fire districts.
The parks office will also cover the environmental conditions guiding the work, including federal laws that protect the northern long-eared bat.
After the meeting, officials from the New York State Department of Environmental Protection will answer questions from the public. Questions about the meeting or the project can be directed to the parks office at 631-321-3529.
