Deceptive Private Signage Blocking Public Mastic Beach Wetland Lot

Mastic Beach Neighborhood Alert: Protect Our Public Waterfront

To All Surrounding Area Residents,

As homeowners and residents of Mastic Beach, we are incredibly lucky to have direct access to our local waterfront for fishing, kayaking, and enjoying the natural shoreline. Unfortunately, a portion of our shared public space is actively being taken away from us.

Since late 2024, unauthorized private encroachment has been developing on the 11.3-acre public parcel located directly along the Riviera Drive waterfront (Tax Map #: 0200-980.50-14.00-013.001).

Over the last several months, a nearby resident has taken the following unauthorized actions to claim this public land as a personal yard extension:

• Built a private canoe storage structure directly adjacent to what is supposed to be a public water launch, fishing, and bird watching site.
• Planted a personal flag on the public lot to project private ownership.
• Posted deceptive, unauthorized "Private Property - No Trespassing" signs across public land.
• Installed signs claiming the public area is under "24/7 Video Surveillance" to actively intimidate local families, fishermen, and neighbors into staying away from land that belongs to everyone.

This illegal development sets a dangerous precedent for our neighborhood and directly undermines active coastal preservation efforts, as referenced in the Audubon Society's Mastic Beach conservation roadmap (URL below), which targets this specific lot to be returned to its beautiful, natural wetland state.

https://nas-national-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/masticbeach_factsheet_final_20201216.pdf

We cannot let private individuals restrict access to public land through intimidation.

How You Can Help Stop This Instantly

Please take 5 minutes to report this violation anonymously to local and state authorities. You can make an immediate impact by calling the hotlines or by sending a brief, anonymous written letter to the entities listed below. The more paper and calls they receive, the faster they are forced to step in and clear out the illegal storage and signage.

1. Contact Them via Phone / Hotline

• Brookhaven Town Call Center / Code Enforcement
  • Phone: 631-451-TOWN (8696) or 631-451-6161
  • What to say: "I am reporting an illegal land encroachment, unauthorized storage, and fraudulent 'No Trespassing' and 'Video Surveillance' signage on the public 11.3-acre parcel on Riviera Drive, Tax Map Number 0200-980.50-14.00-013.001."
• NYS DEC Environmental Conservation Officer Hotline
  • Phone: 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267) (Available 24/7, completely anonymous)
  • What to say: "I am reporting a tidal wetlands land-use violation. An unpermitted private storage structure has been built on the public shoreline parcel on Riviera Drive in Mastic Beach, designated under Tax Map ID 0200-980.50-14.00-013.001."

2. Contact Them in Writing (Mail a Letter)

If you prefer to send a physical letter or copy of your concerns, you can mail an anonymous note referencing the Riviera Drive waterfront parcel and Tax Map #: 0200-980.50-14.00-013.001 directly to the bodies managing our local zoning, law enforcement, and environmental protections:

Local Town Offices (Brookhaven Town Hall)

The Honorable Daniel J. Panico

Town of Brookhaven, Office of the Supervisor

1 Independence Hill

Farmingville, NY 11738

The Honorable Karen Dunne Kesnig

Town of Brookhaven, Town Council, District 6

1 Independence Hill

Farmingville, NY 11738

Town of Brookhaven

Department of Public Safety

1 Independence Hill

Farmingville, NY 11738

Town of Brookhaven

Department of Planning, Environment, and Land Management

1 Independence Hill

Farmingville, NY 11738

County Representation

Legislator James F. Mazzarella

District 3 Office

1120 Montauk Highway, Suite G

Mastic, NY 11950

Suffolk County Department of Parks

Attn: Land Management & Conservation Division

200 Main Street

West Sayville, NY 11796

State Agencies & Legal Enforcement

NYSDEC Region 1

Attn: Division of Law Enforcement / Marine Habitat Protection

SUNY @ Stony Brook, 50 Circle Road

Stony Brook, NY 11790

New York State Department of State

Office of Planning, Development, and Community Sustainability

Attn: Consistency Review / Coastal Management

99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1010

Albany, NY 12231

Office of the New York State Attorney General

Environmental Protection Bureau

The Capitol

Albany, NY 12224

Thank you for protecting our neighborhood!

— Concerned Mastic Beach Neighbors & Property Owners