Concerned Citizens of Centre Island

The Concerned Citizens of Centre Island have asked us to help spread the news regarding the development of an extraordinary and environmentally sensitive property on Centre Island.  A decision on the proposed development is forthcoming from the Centre Island Zoning Board of Appeals. 

The property, located at 223 Beach Road, is a narrow piece of low-lying sandy beach at the base of Eastover Road.  It lies between one of the largest tidal wetlands on Long Island’s North Shore and Oyster Bay itself.  Despite the denial of a building permit, the owner now seeks substantial variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in order to develop this sensitive site.  The sewage system to this property would be built less than two feet underground and would be below the ten year flood elevation.  It poses a strong risk of sewage spills directly into Oyster Bay and the nearby wetland.    The Village of Centre Island’s own engineer has expressed his reluctance to allow the waiver of state and county sewage requirements.  Coastal sea rise also has to be considered, since this construction will be so close to the shoreline.  

As environmental caretakers and stewards, Friends of the Bay is deeply concerned regarding this property.   For over 20 years, Friends of the Bay has zealously protected the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor estuary.   The estuary is the cleanest of all the 13 embayments on the north shore of Long Island.  Residents and visitors can safely swim, fish and boat in these waters.  The possibility of having sewage discharges into the harbor is one which we take very seriously.    Our waters are home to an economically significant and environmentally sustainable shellfishing industry, as well as being a recreational resource for swimmers and fishermen.  The Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a home for thousands of migratory waterfowl, and has been designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. 

The Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County are making a substantial investment in connecting an inadequate sewage treatment facility in Locust Valley (the Birches) to the sewage treatment facility in Glen Cove in order to remediate sewage discharages.  To allow another sewage overflow situation to possibly develop does not seem to be a wise course for the Village of Centre Island.  Friends of the Bay is not anti-development, provided that projects address environmental concerns.  Some proposals, such as the one at 223 Beach Road, are so environmentally sensitive that these concerns cannot be alleviated.  This property should be considered for acquisition and preservation.

The Concerned Citizens for Centre Island have created an online petition which can be found at www.karma411.com/concernedcitizens.   The petition, as well as more information regarding the site, can be found there.