The following are the official comments from all three NYS Surfrider Foundation Chapters, and the Surfing Advisory Committee to NYS Parks.
The Central Long island Chapter encourages all our members to send any personal comments to Ronald.Foley@oprhp.state.ny.us Any comments e-mailed to this e-mail address will become part of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation official record on this issue. So choose your words wisely.
Surfrider Foundation, Eastern Long Island Chapter, PO Box 2681 Amagansett, NY 11930
Surfrider Foundation, Central Long Island Chapter, PO Box 2817, North Babylon, NY 11703
Surfrider Foundation, New York City Chapter, PO Box 844 New York, NY 10163
Surfing Advisory Committee to NYS Parks, 26 Grant Ave, East Hampton NY 11937
May 27, 2011
Commissioner Rose Harvey
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza
Agency Building 1
Albany, New York 12238
Dear Commissioner Harvey,
We at Surfrider Foundation and the Surfing Advisory Committee to NYSOPRHP, wish to congratulate the, NYS Council of Parks, Long Island Commission, for its unanimous decision to increase access for watersports at Long Island’s State Parks.
We appreciate that this decision made at the Friday May 13 meeting is a significant step in having the NYS State Parks System live up to the ideals on which it was founded.
We believe as you do, in enabling all States Parks user groups, safe, and practical access.
Our members wish to access all closed and unguarded State beaches 12 months a year. This request is for all types of surfing whether by surfboard, kayak, windsurfer, or stand up paddleboard. These are all forms of environmentally passive, and non-impact activities.
The presence of surfers in the absence of lifeguards, greatly increases the chances of a rescue for any unsuspecting beach walker, surfcaster, or swimmer who is swept out to sea.
This request is simple. It is the same access we currently enjoy at all town beaches on Long Island.
We do not wish to take away any access from any user groups; only to expand access to non-impact users.
There are three chapters of Surfrider Foundation (http://www.surfrider.org/) in New York State. Our combined membership in NY alone is currently 2,160.The Surfing Advisory Committee was formed in 1999, and has been working with LI Regional Directors and Supervisors since then.
The Surfrider Foundation is a non profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s waves, oceans and beaches for all people through conservation, activism, research, and education.
We are comprised of all beach lovers, including fishermen, surfers, beach walkers, windsurfers, kayakers, and people who just want to watch a sunset and smell the salt air in a beautiful natural setting.
We appreciate your challenge of managing our State Parks that include ever changing dynamic coastlines within the context of habitat protection, shoreline erosion, and user group access, during times of daunting budget restrictions.
It is our desire to work with NYS Parks in its goal to improve public access, while at the same time maintaining proper environmental stewardship, for safe, shared usage of natural resources by diverse recreational groups.
We understand that the State Board’s May 13 announcement is only the first step; we believe it is a good one that reflects fair and equal access for non-impact users.
If we can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact us.
Frank Messina, Surfing Advisory Committee User Group Consultant
Eugene Alper, Chairman Surfing Advisory Committee to NY State Parks, 631-329-1728, eugesurf@hotmail.com
Katie Lawrence, Chairperson Surfrider Foundation, Central LI Chapter, knl1225@gmail.com
