State awards $2.5 million to fortify Ditch Plains Beach in Montauk
Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks Friday at an event at the Montauk Downs State Park announcing funding to rebuild and fortify Ditch Plains Beach in Montauk. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
New York State has awarded $2.5 million to help East Hampton Town rebuild and fortify Ditch Plains Beach, an iconic Montauk surfing spot, officials announced on Friday.
The first phase of the dune and beach recovery project began in June with crews spreading 5,800 cubic yards of sand. The work followed a bruising winter when several storms battered the area, causing ocean waters to surge over the dunes and damage at least one home.
The second phase, to begin this fall, aims to rebuild the dune system to protect the area — and nearly 400 homes inland of the beach — from flooding.
"We want to make sure that we rehab the Ditch Plains beach [and] safeguard the surrounding areas from future flooding," Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday morning during a news conference in Montauk.
East Hampton Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said at the news conference that Ditch Plains was "a cornerstone of Montauk's identity."
"By enhancing coastal resiliency, we are ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy these treasures," she said.
In June, the town announced that the project, estimated at $1.75 million, would be financed from the town's capital budget. Officials said they were seeking state assistance.
The first phase cost a little more than $300,000 at a rate of $52.72 per cubic yard of sand, according to the town. Work on that phase finished up in late June.
Southampton Excavation and Site Development LLC spread the sand, and South Carolina-based Coastal Science & Engineering Inc. will engineer the dune replenishment, town officials have said.
By investing in the project, state officials recognize "the problem of rising seas and [that] destructive storms require significant investment," said Kay Tyler, executive director of the nonprofit Concerned Citizens of Montauk.
Leo Daunt, president of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, said this type of project protects not just the wealthy homeowners along the coastline, but also the "dishwashers, landscapers, servers and bartenders," who can continue their jobs.
A larger federal beach nourishment project completed February in downtown Montauk — unrelated to the winter storms — didn't extend as far as Ditch Plains Beach.
The town board began discussing how to address Ditch Plains Beach erosion in January after the last of three storms hit the area in quick succession.
There hasn't been additional storm damage.
But town officials pointed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's outlook for the 2024 hurricane season as cause for concern. It predicts an 85% chance of an "above-normal" season.
New York State has awarded $2.5 million to help East Hampton Town rebuild and fortify Ditch Plains Beach, an iconic Montauk surfing spot, officials announced on Friday.
The first phase of the dune and beach recovery project began in June with crews spreading 5,800 cubic yards of sand. The work followed a bruising winter when several storms battered the area, causing ocean waters to surge over the dunes and damage at least one home.
The second phase, to begin this fall, aims to rebuild the dune system to protect the area — and nearly 400 homes inland of the beach — from flooding.
"We want to make sure that we rehab the Ditch Plains beach [and] safeguard the surrounding areas from future flooding," Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday morning during a news conference in Montauk.
East Hampton Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said at the news conference that Ditch Plains was "a cornerstone of Montauk's identity."
"By enhancing coastal resiliency, we are ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy these treasures," she said.
In June, the town announced that the project, estimated at $1.75 million, would be financed from the town's capital budget. Officials said they were seeking state assistance.
The first phase cost a little more than $300,000 at a rate of $52.72 per cubic yard of sand, according to the town. Work on that phase finished up in late June.
Southampton Excavation and Site Development LLC spread the sand, and South Carolina-based Coastal Science & Engineering Inc. will engineer the dune replenishment, town officials have said.
By investing in the project, state officials recognize "the problem of rising seas and [that] destructive storms require significant investment," said Kay Tyler, executive director of the nonprofit Concerned Citizens of Montauk.
Leo Daunt, president of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, said this type of project protects not just the wealthy homeowners along the coastline, but also the "dishwashers, landscapers, servers and bartenders," who can continue their jobs.
A larger federal beach nourishment project completed February in downtown Montauk — unrelated to the winter storms — didn't extend as far as Ditch Plains Beach.
The town board began discussing how to address Ditch Plains Beach erosion in January after the last of three storms hit the area in quick succession.
There hasn't been additional storm damage.
But town officials pointed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's outlook for the 2024 hurricane season as cause for concern. It predicts an 85% chance of an "above-normal" season.
Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
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