CONCERNED CITIZENS OF MONTAUK INC

The underlying goal of the Concerned Citizens of Montauk (CCOM) is to preserve and protect the unique ecology of Montauk through education, advocacy, and grassroots citizen action. More specifically CCOM is advocates for conservation and habitat preservation, promotes drinking water protection, teaches environmental responsibility, supports strengthened environmental legislation, opposes the sales of public parks and opposes inappropriate and environmentally damaging development.

Coastal Resiliency
*Lead Community-Based Planning
*Advocate for Strong Coastal Policies
*Support Sand Replenishment on Beaches
*Encourage Relocation of Vulnerable Infrastructure

Water Quality
*Advocate for Upgrades to Septic Infrastructure
*Educate Residents & Business Owners
* Use testing data to create opportunities for local water quality remediation projects

Environmental Sustainability
*Assess Environmental Impacts of Development
*Support a comprehensive portfolio of renewable and alternative energies
*Monitor Code Enforcement
*Push for Comprehensive Environmental Planning

WATER QUALITY:
Montauk has 23 bodies of water – some of which are threatened. Over the past several years we have introduced and sustained multiple scientifically based water quality testing initiatives not just in Montauk, but throughout East Hampton Town. Our ongoing water testing enterococcal bacteria and harmful algal blooms is critical to water quality improvement efforts; it provides the data needed to assess current conditions, and to monitor and track the impacts and effectiveness of new projects.

COASTAL RESILIENCY:
Rising sea level, erosion and increasingly powerful storms are threatening Montauk’s coastline and built infrastructure. Our community must come together to protect ecological and economic resources. CCOM lead the effort for the creation of a Coastal Assessment and Resiliency Plan (CARP) which:
*Expedites public funding for environmentally responsible climate adaptation planning
* Creates a plan that preserves Montauk’s natural coastline, developed areas and infrastructure
* Protects our community and environment by preserving our natural resources

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY:
Montauk’s ecology and economy are inextricably linked. Whether it’s new development or redevelopment within our community, CCOM believes that short-term financial gains cannot outweigh long-term environmental impact. A truly sustainable community is achieved through thoughtful planning, code enforcement and adherence to environmentally responsible practices.

As such the environmental priorities and objectives outlined in the Montauk Hamlet Plan for both the downtown and harbor area address important, timely and critical environmental issues facing the Montauk Community, (surface and groundwater pollution, beach erosion, climate change and sea level rise) and CCOM actively participates in the committees working to achieve these priorities and believes their continued work and evolution will help drive both the immediate and long term changes that are needed and outlined in the Montauk Hamlet Plan.

Concerned Citizens of Montauk also believes a comprehensive portfolio of renewable and alternative energies must be combined with extensive energy conservation in order to address the climate crisis resulting from our region’s dependence on fossil fuels. We must, however, pay particular attention to, and minimize to the maximum extent possible, any known, unknown, or even unforeseen environmental impacts, including those related to the fishing industry and environmentally sensitive and preserved lands associated with the installation, operation and maintenance of these technologies.

Thanks to the Concerned Citizens of Montauk, 70% of Montauk is now preserved for present and future generations to enjoy. CCOM has also successfully:

1971 – 1978: Protected Montauk from the threat of oil drilling off the Montauk coastline
1971 – 2001: Opposed marina development which threatened water quality in Lake Montauk and Fort Pond Bay
1984 – 2005: Led the coalition to stop high speed ferries from docking in Montauk
1992: Worked for the inclusion of Peconic Bay into the National Estuary Program
1993 – 2004: Stopped the dumping of toxic dredge spoils in LI Sound and the NY Bight
1998: Joined forces to create the Community Preservation Fund (CPF), a land bank funded through a 2% real estate transfer tax
2014: Saved Ft. Pond House from public sale; renamed as Ft. Pond House at Carol Morrison Park in dedication to CCOM’s 1982-1991 President
2016: Advocated for referendum passage to extend the CPF through 2050 and to allow 20% of its proceeds to be used for water quality improvement.