Piping Plovers Close Some Fireworks Viewing Areas

EAST HAMPTON, NY — The presence of piping plovers may put the brakes on some fireworks viewing on Saturday.

With the annual fireworks display presented by the Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett scheduled for Saturday night over Gardiner's Bay, East Hampton Town has issued an advisory to those who may wish to view the fireworks from nearby beaches.

This year, due to the presence of nesting piping plovers, a protected endangered species, some areas traditionally used to view the fireworks will be inaccessible, town officials said.

Beach access will be shut down completely to both vehicles and pedestrians in the area between Little Albert’s and Fresh Pond beaches. Police blockades and security guards will be in place.

Pedestrian and vehicle beach access will be allowed only at the end of Albert’s Landing Road. Pedestrian-only access will be allowed at the end of Barnes Landing Road, Fresh Pond Road — heading south only, or to the right — and at Abraham’s Landing Road near the Devon Yacht Club, town official said.

The position of the fireworks barge in Gardiner’s Bay has been adjusted southward to be farther away from the birds.

East Hampton Town officials have worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as well as Grucci Fireworks, which is presenting the show, to establish the plan to protect the plovers, town officials said. Causing harm to or the death of piping plovers is subject to federal fines of more than $10,000, town officials added.

The plan is subject to change based on the activity of the birds. East Hampton Town's natural resources department staff will be on site to monitor plover activity.