Three Mile Harbor Closed During Great Bonac Fireworks Show

The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced on Thursday that Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton will be closed during the annual Clamshell Foundation’s Great Bonac Fireworks Show.

The closure will begin at sunrise on Saturday, July 18, and continue through Wednesday, July 22.

During this time, no shellfish can be taken from the harbor.

This closure is put in place annually during the busy festivities to protect public health from potentially contaminated shellfish associated with increased boating activity in shellfishing waters.

Boaters are reminded to use pump-out facilities to help protect these waters.

The DEC expects to re-open the area for shellfishing on Thursday, July 23.

The rain date for the fireworks will be on Sunday, July 19.

During the past 22 years, Three Mile Harbor has been temporarily closed to shellfishing on the day of the fireworks event and for four days afterward.

The annual event draws hundreds of boaters each year, including many that stay overnight.

Boaters are reminded that they are required to use pump out facilities in the Peconic-Gardiners Bay area, which includes Three Mile Harbor, because the area is a No-Discharge Zone.

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