March 2, 2026

APC Petition to Remove Bamboo

The Accabonac Protection Committee’s has sponsored a petition to encourage the town to remove or control a rapidly expanding stand of invasive bamboo that will soon obliterate an open meadow of Community Preserve land, one of only two access points to the vast marsh fields at the southern end of Accabonac Harbor. The marshland has magnificent views and offers a rare opportunity for birders and other naturalists to observe/study the flora and wildlife in the area.

A $200 application to the DEC for permission to carry out the work has been awaiting town board approval since 2023. Since then, the bamboo has expanded exponentially (see photographs).

The land preserve in question was a CPF acquisition from Beverly Kassner (SCTM 300-83-16.3) in 2013 to “preserve community character through the preservation of Open Space.”

It was purchased for $450,000 and is located along the north side of Old Stone Highway (opposite 268 and 272 Old Stone Hwy) approximately a quarter mile southwest of the intersection with Louse Point Road. If allowed to expand unchecked this patch of bamboo (approximately 150 feet x 50 feet) will quickly become a dense impenetrable wall blocking access to the meadow and the marsh beyond (as well as spreading to abutting CPF preserves Abouseda and Bixwell).

It is imperative that East Hampton Town quickly begin remediation efforts on this and other stands of bamboo and that it devises a policy and budget to control the spread of invasive species on Community Preserves. The longer the town waits the more the costs will grow and the more difficult it will be to keep our open vistas from being destroyed.