APC Autumn Report
Autumn has arrived on the East End—and with it, a season of stunning beauty and quiet transformation. The leaves are changing their color, the air is crisp, and there’s no better time to reflect on the natural wonders in this place we are so lucky to call home.
Here at the Accabonac Protection Committee, we’re embracing the season with warm cups of tea, brisk shoreline walks, and evenings by the fire with friends and neighbors. We’re also continuing our shared mission to protect the coastlines, water quality, and ecological integrity of this remarkable place.
On September 21, 2025, we held our quarterly meeting at the beautiful home of John and Anne Mullen on Louse Point Road in East Hampton. With 55 guests in attendance, APC President Len Rubin opened the meeting with updates on recent initiatives, including exciting progress with the Peconic Estuary Partnership grants.
One of those initiatives is the APC’s outreach to our local Latino community living in or around Accabonac Harbor. This act is harnessing a powerful connection to our Latino families, and our communal love of the natural environment. The APC’s wish is to draw from those resources and develop an ongoing narrative with the Latino community and welcome them into our midst.
We were also joined by Rachel Friedman, Water Quality Outreach Specialist with the Peconic Estuary Partnership, who shared important updates on the Town of East Hampton’s new septic system requirements. These changes are part of a broader effort across Long Island to combat nitrogen pollution—one of the leading causes negatively impacting the water quality of our region.
As Rachel explained, the new Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A OWTS) are designed to significantly reduce nitrogen output, helping to protect our groundwater and surface area waters from harmful algae blooms and other environmental threats. Both Suffolk and Nassau Counties are offering grants and low-interest loans to help homeowners make the switch from outdated cesspools and septic systems in order to protect our environment. To learn more about nitrogen pollution and its effects, please click here.
If you’re a homeowner—or know someone who is—now is the time to explore these upgrade options. For more information or assistance, you can contact Rachel directly at: rachel.friedman.1@stonybrook.edu .
After Rachel’s presentation, Annie Davison—wife of APC President Len Rubin—captivated the group with a lively and insightful history of individuals who once called Accabonac Harbor home. Drawing from fascinating documents provided by the East Hampton Historical Society and other local archives, she brought the past to life with stories that connected us to the generations who shaped this shoreline. Guests left not only with a deeper appreciation for the East End’s rich, layered history, but with a powerful reminder: we, too, are writing history. The choices we make today—our efforts to protect and preserve this place—will echo into the future, shaping the landscape and legacy for generations still to come.
Thank you for being a vital part of this passionate and engaged community. Together, we’re making a real difference—for today and for generations to come.
