Port Washinton Wetlands Saved

We reported in a April 5th Blog, that the Town of North Hempstead was filling in and destroying the wetlands in Hempstead Harbor Park, west of West Shore Road. This was brought to our atention by MIchael Vitti, President of CLIMB. The reaction of the public and media was immediate. Today the media reported that the state Department of Environmental Conservation has ordered North Hempstead to restore the wetlands, remove the fill and pay a $16,000 fine. The Town's claims that they failed to obtain a permit to stabilize a nearby roadway is so much "bushwah". They were building a parking lot! The rain runoff from this area did not affect the roadway and should not be permitted to justify any future destruction of these wetlands. It is critical that every Nassau County resident monitor parks, wetlands, open spaces, etc. and report on any activity that does not preserve our parklands for the enjoyment of our citizens.

Does Nickerson Beach need a committee?

To provide ready access to the water, Nickerson Beach has always had "boardwalks" from the cabana, pool and playground areas to the surf. These are not fancy structures, but rather some 2'X4's with 3 or 4 foot planks nailed into them. They would sit atop the sand and make the transit to the waters edge easier. This helps Seniors and small children avoid slogging through long stretches of sand to cool off in the ocean. Over time these "boardwalks" have disapperaed due of lack of maintenance and weather damage to the point where they are virtually gone. The patrons of Nickerson Beach have asked the Nassau County Park Administration to address this issue, pick up some lumber and restore the "walks" to no avail. Finally, letters were sent to the County Executive who sent them on to the Park Commissioner. The Commissioner's reponse is one for the books. Comm. Carnel Fosky states he "will have the Carpentry Shop form a committee to study the matter and send their recomendations to the Department Of Public Works, who will form an action plan." Hello! A carpenter's committee? An action plan? Why not just have the carpenter's committee run over to the beach with some wood and nails and replace the "boardwalks"????? With a bureaucratic mindset demonstrated here, its is no wonder, Nassau is in a fiscal mess.