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Spring Update for Accabonac Harbor

This week marks a long-awaited shift forward. With the arrival of the Spring Equinox on Thursday and celebration of World Water Day on Sunday, March 22, we are glad to be turning a seasonal corner together. After a robust winter here on the East End, it feels especially good to welcome warmer temperatures and return to ample time spent outdoors. The ice has melted, the winds are warming and spring has returned to our favorite corner on eastern Long Island.  Here is the latest news.

Bamboo Removal Update

Following up on our recent newsletter, we’re excited to share real progress. Accabonac Protection Committee board member Glyn Vincent was told that the Town Board is moving ahead with an application to the DEC to remove invasive bamboo from the community preserve along Old Stone Highway.

This momentum came quickly. A petition gathered more than 200 signatures in just over a week indicating clear proof of how deeply our community values open vistas across Accabonac Harbor and the protection of public access points from invasive species. Bamboo, particularly in sensitive conservation areas, poses a serious ecological threat and your voices made a difference.

Thank you to Glyn and to everyone who signed and supported this effort! This is what community action looks like.

Water Quality Testing:  What’s Happening Now

In recognition of World Water Day, we checked in with local experts to better understand how our waters are being monitored as we head into the 2026 season.

Brody Eggert, Eastern Long Island’s Chapter Manager for the Surfrider Foundation, shared an inside perspective of their ongoing testing in Accabonac Harbor. Surfrider conducts water testing for enteric (fecal) coliform bacteria between 25–28 times per year across three harbor locations.

  • Winter: tested once per month
  • Spring (starting May): twice per month
  • Summer through early fall (June–October): weekly

Surfrider’s testing tracks bacteria from warm-blooded animals, including birds, wildlife, and humans. As Brody explains, when levels exceed 100 millibars, it signals the likely presence of other harmful pathogens.

This matters. At times, elevated bacteria levels have forced closures of Accabonac Harbor to swimming. Continued monitoring helps protect both public health and our ability to enjoy these waters for recreation and shellfishing. We’ll continue sharing updates as results come in.

Local Investment in Clean Water

We also spoke with Melissa McCarron of East Hampton Town’s Office of Natural Resources, who reminded us that 20% of EH Town’s Community Preservation Funds are dedicated to water quality improvement.

These CPF funds support:

  • Habitat restoration
  • Improved stormwater management
  • Upgrades to septic systems with nitrogen-reducing technology
  • Best management practices across priority watersheds

While the Town doesn’t conduct testing directly, it works closely with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County to monitor water quality across East Hampton, including Accabonac Harbor.

If you remember our January newsletter, we detailed the ongoing collaboration with CCE including the Accabonac Protection Committee’s commitment and recent financial support of this important study including remediation efforts to protect the harbor’s impacted groundwater and waterbody over time. This project needs our ongoing attention and your generous donation will help to protect our local waters for the future.

Together, these efforts protect water quality while preserving the character of our community.

A Note on Avian Influenza

East Hampton Town issued a public advisory on March 4 regarding avian influenza detected on the East End of Long Island.

Residents are urged to:

  • Avoid contact with dead or distressed wildlife
  • Keep children and pets away from affected birds/animals
  • Use extra caution with domesticated animals as cross species transmission is possible.

Recent reports include more than 700 geese removed from Georgica Pond and its nearby beach underscoring the seriousness of the issue.

If you encounter suspected cases on public land, please contact the East Hampton Marine Patrol at 631-537-7575.

As always, thank you for staying informed, engaged, and committed to protecting Accabonac Harbor and the surrounding environment.

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