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Living By the Code

by Nick Bryan

Among the many blessings of living in East Hampton is having a Town Code that contains laws that can help protect our natural resources, including the beautiful Accabonac Harbor. We should be aware of this Code and abide by it, of course, but should we observe violations of the Code, we also have an obligation to report them to the Office of Ordinance Enforcement. This is not a form of domestic spying: we do this to protect the health and well-being of all members of our community and the delicate environment that we value so highly. It’s not possible for the police, harbor patrol or code enforcement to be everywhere. They need, and appreciate, our help (which we may need to be persistent in offering!)

Of particular interest to those who enjoy the privilege of living near Accabonac Harbor are items in the Code designed to protect the health of the waters. These include installation of proper outdoor lighting to minimize its impact on marine organisms; clearing restrictions to protect groundwater and mitigate runoff that may pollute the Harbor. The proper disposal of toxic substances is also essential to protect our groundwater and surface waters.

In addition to some of the more obvious infractions, such as illegal beach driving, illegal trash dumping and vandalism, the Code specifies violations such as shining lights into, or over, the creek; using treated wood in or near the water (CCA or ACQ); and completely enclosing property with deer fence, without leaving any wildlife corridor.

Following are general definitions of some violations common around Accabonac:

  • Illegal clearing: clear-cutting around a house, mowing to the marsh, or worse, MOWING THE MARSH
  • Illegal Beach Driving: without a sticker; within 300 feet of Louse Point; within 10 feet of vegetation.
  • Boating Violations: illegal mooring or storage, abandoned boats, excessive wakes, jet-ski craft in the harbor
  • Illegal dumping: household trash in town trashcans; trash left outside of cans, or overflowiing trashcans, in Town Preserves (such as Pussy’s Pond, Louse Point and Gerard Park) Dumping paints or any other toxic substance on the ground anywhere
  • Domestic Animal Problems: unsupervised dog, dog waste, or dogs on the beach where or when not permitted (unleashed dogs are banned within 300 feet of paved road ends from 10 am to 6pm, between May 15 to Sept 15

ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT
For more detailed information, the East Hampton Town Code is available from the Town Clerk’s Office, and on the Web:
www.town.east-hampton.ny.us/code

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