Visitors to the area around Moriches Inlet will have a new beach to enjoy this summer thanks to FIMP, the federal effort to protect Long Island’s coast.
Massive amounts of sand have been pumped in from the Atlantic as part of the $2.4 billion Fire Island to Montauk Project, a program dating back to the 1960s. An area that had suffered severe erosion on the Moriches Bay side just east of the inlet was filled in with nearly 400,000 yards of sand creating a clean, white beach.
Workers are also finishing up sand replenishment work along Dune Road in Westhampton Beach. The area was previously protected by a series of stone jetties, the most popular of which was Jetty 4, where the village operates Lashley’s Pavilion. Over the years, failure to fortify the beaches led to lawsuits forcing the partial removal of the revetments.
“This vital project will help combat erosion and protect our beautiful county beach,” Suffolk Legislator Jim Mazzarella said of the work near Cupsogue Beach. The area is popular with boaters and fishermen and offers a great view of the bay for hiking, birding, and seal watching.
“I look forward to our residents being able to enjoy a much improved beach and camping experience this summer,” Mazzarella added. “Thank you to Congressman Nick Lalota and the Army Corps of Engineers for their help in bringing this project forward.”
Further west on Fire Island, Davis Park and Gilgo Beach also saw shoreline restoration efforts managed by the Army Corps.