DEEPLOU
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For those who may not be aware, we Long Islanders are possably going to lose a great dive site, Secret Beach.
The following article appeared in Newsday a week or so ago: http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-lidive274234968apr27,0,6876465.story
The Long Island Divers' Association is asking all to help preserve this site.
Below is copy of e-mail sent those whose addresses the association does know.
In addition to letters, petitions are being gathered. If you would like to sign one, please stop at Long Island Scuba in Lindenhurst, (not sure who else has the petition at this time).
If you would like a copy of the petition to pass around in your circle, PM me and I will try to get copy to send u.
The following article appeared in Newsday a week or so ago: http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-lidive274234968apr27,0,6876465.story
The Long Island Divers' Association is asking all to help preserve this site.
Below is copy of e-mail sent those whose addresses the association does know.
As many know, there was an Article in Newsday last week generally supportive of keeping Secret Beach open. NOW is the time for action.
Below is the text of a letter I wrote to
Suffolk County Executive Steven Levy
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppague New York11788-0099
I have also written similar letters to
Suffolk County Legislator Michael Caracciolo
423 Griffing Avenue
Riverhead NY 11901
Commissioner Bernadette Castro
New York State Department of Parks
Albany, NY 12238
Southold Town Supervisor Joshua Horton
50395 Route 25
PO Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Mayor David E. Kapell
Greenport Village Hall
236 Third Street
Greenport, NY 11944
The one to Mr. Levy is duplicated below, the others appropriatly modified.
PLEASE consider sending similar letters. Writing letters is the single most important step in preserving the access to Clark's Beach. The price of a stamp can save your access.
Feel free to use as much of he content of the letter below as you would like. Individual letters are best, but merely cutting and pastng is better than nothing.
If we loose access to Secret Beach, the effect can be devistating. The time for making your feeling known is NOW. Please do not pass up this important opportunity and obligation.
Many Thanks
Steve Burke
President, LIDA (letter below)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Honorable Steven Levy, County Executive
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppague, New York 11788-0099
Dear Mr. Levy
As you are aware, and as recently reported by Newsday, the Village of Greenport is contemplating the sale of Clark's Beach on the Long Island Sound. This proposed sale would be nothing less than a tragedy for the citizens of Suffolk County. The Long Island Divers Association, (LIDA), representing the interests of hundreds of recreational scuba divers on Long Island, urges the County in the strongest terms possible to preserve this most unique resource for the citizens of Long Island by purchase of the property and creation of public park land or otherwise preserving citizen assess to this area.
Clark's Beach is virtually the only public access to the Long Island Sound on the North Shore of Suffolk County. It is used for multiple purposes, including fishing, swimming and sun bathing. Most unique is its use as a site for recreational scuba diving and training for over 40 years.
As a scuba diving site, the area is irreplaceable. It has sufficient depth to satisfy qualification agencies training criteria, yet is both protected and safe. The area supports a huge variety of life for observation. Flat sandy stretches contrast with rocky and vegetation rich areas providing differing environments suited to various forms of underwater life. The area is ideal not only for open water qualification dives, but also for navigation and rescue training, so critical to the safety of all who enjoy the underwater environment. In addition, the adverse environmental impact of private development of the area is clear and obvious. The loss of one of the few remaining "open areas" on the North Shore would be an irreplaceable loss to Long Islanders.
Most significantly, the economic effects of a private takeover of this area would be devastating to the local scuba industry. Long Island is home to more than thirty dive shops and charter boats as well as scores of qualified independent scuba instructors. Loss of this singular North Shore training area would be destructive to these business and the families they support.
You have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help preserve this exceptional waterfront locale for the public. Please do all in your power to preserve this important and beautiful beach. Long Island needs more Parks and open areas, not more waterfront private estates.
Please keep us advised of any steps that can be taken to help preserve this access to Clark's Beach for the public. LIDA will fully support those efforts and will keep our large and active membership appraised of the efforts of those who support maintaining this assess, as well the position of those who do not help preserve Clark's Beach for the citizens of Long Island.
Respectfully,
_________________________________
In addition to letters, petitions are being gathered. If you would like to sign one, please stop at Long Island Scuba in Lindenhurst, (not sure who else has the petition at this time).
If you would like a copy of the petition to pass around in your circle, PM me and I will try to get copy to send u.