Real Estate Blog: Gov't Agencies Help Beautify Waterfront

After recently exploring the differences between the Peconic Bay and the Long Island Sound in a blog, I began to think about what actually keeps our waters so beautiful. It brought me to another conversation realtors often have with their buyers — what exactly can be done to waterfront property? Can I remove trees?  Can I construct a dock?

The beautiful waterfront on the North Fork is just that – beautiful – due to the guidelines set forth to govern our natural resource. Local, state and federal agencies all work closely together with the ultimate goal to protect our environment. When waterfront is involved, that goal is expanded to ensure that we do not upset the natural progression of marine life.

If you are planning a project on waterfront land, and you have to ask yourself the question, “Am I interrupting the stability of the waterfront?” you should go to the Trustees office to discuss your project. When it comes to improvements to your waterfront property, there are several agencies and steps you will need to navigate through. The following list includes agencies and items you will need in order to ensure you cover all the bases. While you may not need approval from each agency, it’s good to be clear from the start.

1.  Have the waterfront property surveyed, and be sure to include the wetland boundary whether or not it falls within your property lines. Talk to the surveyor about your plans to ensure all of the necessary markings are included on the survey.

2.  The Southold Building Department. The building department would be involved in any structures on the property relating to its habitable use.

3.  The Southold Town Board of Trustees. The Trustees have local jurisdiction over the 100 feet of land adjacent to the wetland boundary. Upon your request, the Trustees will schedule a site inspection to give you guidance on your proposed project.

4.  The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The DEC has jurisdiction over the 300 feet of land adjacent to the high water mark.

5.  Army Corp of Engineers.  The Army Corp of Engineers gets involved with projects related to all navigable waters and their tributaries (to include wetlands), ensuring any work or placement of a structure into (or affecting) navigable waters is within the Corp’s guidelines.

Depending on the scope of your project, the process can indeed be lengthy. Many of the aforementioned organizations have specific due dates in which you will have to submit your package by. And if your package is not complete they may return/reject it, thus causing further delays as you will need to resubmit it prior to the next due date.

An option to consider if the process seems to be overwhelming would be to hire an expeditor. They are typically familiar with these agencies and understand the process.As much as you may hear complaints about the time involved to obtain permits/approval, the departments in the township of Southold are certainly user friendly. And remember it’s their job to preserve this paradise we all call home. 

 — Kristen Rishe, North Fork Real Estate, Inc.