March 12, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Greetings to all our neighbors here in Silver Beach and beyond. Your Silver Beach Association board continues to focus its attention on responsible stewardship of the environment in our community, and to that end we are working on several initiatives to enhance the quality of life in Silver Beach. This update was prepared and is submitted collectively by the SBA board:

Silver Beach Water – The state of our freshwater aquifer is perhaps the single most important issue facing the Silver Beach community. Thus far in 2024, Shelter Island has experienced an increased volume of precipitation that exceeds the average received for the same period over the past 5 years which, hopefully, has recharged the local area of the aquifer.  The low-lying neighborhood of Silver Beach is characterized by a relatively shallow aquifer and as a result has a greater vulnerability to drought and saltwater intrusion. With approximately 101 marine waterfront lots where 85 residences are located, Silver Beach would appear to be potentially vulnerable to this threat.

The specter of saltwater intrusion into wells is a matter worth measuring and monitoring. Back in 2014, the SBA conducted an informal survey in which 18 homes reported poor well water quality, including objectionable levels of salt. Another 30 homes reported moderate water quality, many of which requiring some form of water treatment.

Many of you have shared concerns about well water quality with members of the SBA board. Accordingly, the SBA board is considering steps to assess this matter further. As a first step, we have proposed that the Town of Shelter Island conduct a water testing program in Silver Beach, at no charge. Ideally, the information gained would provide a baseline of information which would help the Town and our community assess the quality and quantity of our freshwater resources. Perhaps most importantly, it would equip us with new baseline data should challenges to our potable water resources emerge. If you are experiencing quality challenges with your well water, you may contact the SBA, the Water Advisory Committee, or any member of the Town Board for information or help.

Flooding on Brander Parkway – We met with Ken Lewis, the new Highway Department Superintendent, and expressed our community’s desire to have the flooding that occurs on Brander Parkway remedied. After a recent bout of heavy rainfall, one section of Brander Parkway suffered from pooling water in the roadway to such a degree that traffic was blocked in one direction. With freezing temperatures, this pooled water became frozen, making an already inconvenient area potentially dangerous. This created a roadway hazard requiring deployment of traffic cones and blinking lights to alert oncoming traffic. Clearly this is a dangerous development, particularly at night. We have advocated for the installation of storm drains connected to dry wells in this area to alleviate the flooding. Ken Lewis indicated that he would assess and consider our request.

If you, or your neighbors, have a flooding issue caused by clogged dry wells along our roadways, in addition to your elected officials please reach out to the SBA so we can advocate for relief on your behalf. We have found Ken Lewis to be receptive to such issues when they are brought to his attention.

East Brander Tidal Wetland – In October 2023, the Special Committee issued its Final Report. Since its formation in August 2022, the Special Committee has expended substantial effort to research, identify, document, and explore options for the maintenance of the East Brander Tidal Wetland. In its Final Report, the Special Committee concluded that the EBTW does get periodically flushed by the tides and that water testing indicated acceptable levels of dissolved oxygen. Among its recommendations, the Final Report suggested careful monitoring of the EBTW and periodic measurement of dissolved oxygen levels and temperature. (The Final Report has been posted on the SBA website under the “Membership” tab).

Tree Committee - The Town Board recently formed a Tree Protection Subcommittee. The Subcommittee is developing ideas for new regulations that would control clear cutting and protect trees more generally.  Many communities on eastern Long Island have enacted such regulations in various forms, with an understanding of the benefits that trees provide including, and importantly, the promotion of the absorption of precipitation into our aquifer and erosion prevention.  This initiative is in its early stages and the structure of the regulations have yet to be determined. 

West Neck Preserve – This seven-acre parcel, acquired back in 2020 by the Town with funds from the Community Preservation Fund (CPF), is a gateway area adjacent to Silver Beach. Its location, design, appearance, and maintenance are all important to our community. For the five acres that were cleared, the CPF has proposed a conceptual plan (prepared by Landscape Ecologist Rusty Schmidt from Nelson Pope Voorhis) that emphasizes meadows and woodlands of native plantings with walking paths and demonstration gardens (this plan is posted on the SBA website under the “Membership” tab). Back in November 2023, a portion of the parcel was plowed to stem the profusion of mugwort, a non-native invasive plant that had become a monoculture. A cover crop of winter wheat was sown in the plowed area. The existing meadow areas have been left uncut to provide habitat for birds and insects during the winter. This coming June 2024, the mugwort area will be plowed again and tilled. The parking area will also be improved. When the mugwort is under control, the area will be seeded with native flowering perennials and grasses. Trees and shrubs will gradually be added in other sections as part of what clearly has been, and will continue to be, a multi-year restoration project. We remain hopeful that this preserved land will be enhanced by these efforts, and, above all, we are pleased that the area has been preserved from development.

On behalf of the SBA, I want to thank you for your continued support. Lastly, we are trying to increase engagement in our community and ask that you encourage your friends, neighbors and acquaintances to join the SBA whenever you become aware that a neighbor has yet to join or is unaware about our organization. 

Sincerely yours,

Doug Sherrod

President