Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Fred Thiele announced that the Legislature had approved their legislation (S368/A169) to protect national historic landmarks from shore erosion. The bill would enable the NY State Department of Conservation (DEC) to take necessary action to protect the sites.

Senator LaValle said, “It’s essential that we provide the Department of Environmental Conservation with the necessary tools to save our pristine shorelines and our historic places, like the Montauk Lighthouse. Currently, the DEC cannot enter into financially obligated agreements with non-profit organizations like the Montauk Historical Society, to halt erosion. Since the Montauk Lighthouse is managed by the Historical Society, the legislation would provide a solution to the issue.”

Assemblyman Thiele noted, “The Montauk Point Lighthouse has been part of Long Island’s land and seascape for more than 200 years. This new legislation, combined with the national landmark status, will ensure that the Montauk Historical Society can continue their great work in protecting this Lighthouse and ensure its existence for future generations.”

The legislation is necessary to grant authority to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to undertake any project to protect a National Historic Landmark to ensure that necessary measures can be undertaken to protect these sites from the brutal effects of shore erosion.

The Montauk Lighthouse is designated by the United States Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark, and was deeded to the Montauk Historical Society in 1996. The Senator legislation will now be transferred to the Governor for consideration.