Cross Sound Ferry Donates Sand To Renourish Severely Eroded Town Beach

ORIENT POINT, NY — Highway department workers have been busy hauling sand this week that's been donated by the Cross Sound Ferry to help nourish the severely eroded Southold town beach.

Andy Binkowski, terminal manage at the Cross Sound Ferry, estimates that a few thousand yards of sand in total will be moved to the main beach, which has been hit hard by winter storms.

Binkowski said the CSF was glad to lend a hand.

"We've helped the town in the past," he said. "That beach is used by a lot of people and if the ferry can help the town or work with the board to resolve the problem, we're here to do what we can."

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell expressed his thanks for the donation and help. "This is the second time since I have been supervisor that the Cross Sound Ferry has offered to donate sand. Their generous offer with go a long way in helping us reduce costs of this project," he said. "I am very grateful for their generosity and their commitment to the community."

Depending on how much material is removed from the Orient Point location, Binkowski said the transfer of snd could take up to a week or more.

Southold Town Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando agreed. He said three town trucks were working on the project today and it could take a week, or even two, to transfer all the sand.

The tradition of giving back is a long one for CSF, which also donates funds each year for scholarships and other worthy local causes.

Of the sand, Stan Mickus, director of marketing and public affairs for CSF, said, "Back in 2011, when a similar situation occurred at the beach, CSF donated approximately 6,400 cubic yards with a value of around $90,000. We are always happy to assist when and where we can to support causes that benefit the local community. Knowing how much the residents of Southold enjoy the town beach, this initiative certainly fits."

At a recent town board work session, Southold Town Director of Public Works Jeff Standish said the beach was hit hard, with the Long Island Sound only five feet from the town beach's parking lot in some spots.

Back in 2011, it cost the town nearly $50,000 to replenish the beach. "We haven't gotten to that point yet but thee's quite a bit of devastation," he said.

Standish said he spoke with Binkowski, who offered the town the sand for free; town trucks and pay loaders are being used to retrieve the sand from Orient Point.

"First, we'd like to work on areas that are very, very close to the road," Standish said.

He added that he budgeted $5,000 to push up the sand for the year, to protect and also to grade the beach, but he's concerned it might not be enough.

Standish said he spoke with Southold Town engineers Jamie Richter and Michael Collins about securing an emergency permit for the work.

At some points on the beach, he said, the erosion has left only the dark brown patches close to the shoreline.

"This might cost us some money," Standish said. The last time the beach was hit hard by Sandy, the town received reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It cost $48,000 just to move sand at that time, he said.

Councilman Jim Dinizio questioned whether the town should act at all. "Honestly, we are just throwing money in the water," he said, adding that maybe it was time to just let nature take its course and cut back the parking lot.

"It's a popular beach," Standish said. "Even if you cut the parking lot, it won't stop the problem."

Councilwoman Jill Doherty said Suffolk County needs to help the town and said the erosion is a threat to County Road 48. "We're just putting a band aid on this," she said.

"I don't think you can get anything in government unless it's a tragedy," Dinizio said.

"Suffolk County would have a quick fix," said Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, who added that they'd secure the road and "call it a day. The issue is do we want a beach or not. Do we let nature do what it wants and give up the town beach? I would vote for sand."

Doherty agreed, saying she believes the town should continue replenishing the beach.

Standish said he was asking for the board's okay to go retrieve the sand so he could begin protecting areas close to the highway.

"I wanted to give everyone a head's up because summer is right around the corner and the phones will ring," he said.

Councilman Bob Ghosio agreed and said on a recent nice day the beach drew a crowd.

Standish added that the erosion issue is a problem along the whole stretch of Sound shoreline, including Hashamomuck Cove. "They have to figure it out. It's getting bad."

Patch photos by Lisa Finn.