Zeldin Announces Hearings For Fire Island To Montauk Project

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Congressman Lee Zeldin has announced the dates, times and locations for the four scheduled public hearings on Long Island to discuss the next phase of the Fire Island to Montauk Point Project, a $1.16 billion project that contains funding for essential dredging and shoreline projects across the 1st congressional district.

The scheduled hearings include one session in Southampton and one in East Hampton:

· September 28, 2016 for the East Hampton/Montauk area, at Montauk Playhouse, which is located at 240 Edgemere St, Montauk, NY 11954.

· September 27, 2016 for the Southampton area at Southampton University, which is located at 239 Montauk Hwy, Southampton, NY 11968; and

· September 14, 2016 for the Babylon and Islip area, at Islip Town Hall Annex, which is located at 655 Main St, Islip, NY 11751;

· September 20, 2016 for the Brookhaven area at Patchogue Watch Hill Ferry Terminal, which is located at 150 West Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772;

All four meetings will begin at 6 p.m. with a poster board session. The formal presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. will be followed by a moderated question and answer session.

In addition to attending a public hearing, residents can also submit public comments by mail or email. The address is: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, Planning Division-Environmental Branch (ATTN: Mr. Robert Smith) 26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York 10278-0090, or by email to: Project BiologistRobert.J.Smith@usace.army.mil and Project ManagerMark.f.Lulka@usace.army.mil.

The public comment period is set to end on September 29.

With the last hearing taking place only one day before, Congressman Zeldin sent a letter today to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander, Colonel David Caldwell, formally requesting a two week extension of the deadline for public comments. View a copy of the letter here.

“Since first taking office, I have been fighting to secure the many victories coming to NY-1 as a result of the draft GRR. The FIMP project, which covers a distance of 83 miles, 80 percent of which is in the First Congressional District, has been a long time coming and will greatly improve our environment, economy and coastal way of life on Long Island’s South Shore," Zeldin said.

He added that he encouraged South Shore residents to get involved in the process and participate in the public comment period to ensure that their voices are heard and requests are received.

"The Army Corps needs and wants to hear from the public. South Fork residents deserve and need more than 24 additional hours to comment after a public hearing. It is so important that every member of the public has their opportunity to weigh in on this process before the comment period ends and the final project is planned.”

On August 18, 2016, Congressman Lee Zeldin was joined by local elected officials and community leaders at Westhampton Beach Village Hall to discuss many of the key components of the Draft General Reevaluation Report, or GRR, which was released in July, 2016, and specifies which projects will be included in the next phase of the FIMP Project.

Watch the full press conference here.

Patch file photo.