Ginny Again
07-09-2007, 02:04 PM
emergency permitting
BY CHRISTINA HERNANDEZ
christina.hernandez@newsday.com
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July 9, 2007, 10:52 AM EDT
With hurricane season fast approaching, state Assemb. Ginny Fields met Friday with state representatives and the Davis Park Property Owners' Association in an effort to speed up the emergency permitting process that was slowed by miscommunication after April's nor'er.
The two-hour, closed-door meeting brought together the president of the Davis Park association, who was frustrated with the government response to the nor'er, and the regional director and permits and wetlands representatives of the Department of Environmental Conservation.
"What we were trying to do was to find out what happened after the last storm," Fields said, "and what could happen after the next."
John Lund, president of the Davis Park group, said a meeting with the DEC and other government officials 10 days after the nor'er took too long to arrange and that residents whose homes were damaged were confused about the emergency permit application process.
"I think we can prepare people better for the next storm," he said.
On Friday, the DEC and the property owner's association agreed to collaborate on a pamphlet that would outline how to prepare for and handle home damage, said Peter Scully, DEC regional director.
"It was clear that it would be helpful to provide some simple and understandable guidance for homeowners in this erosion-hazard area," he said.
Fields said the pamphlet would describe the different types of permits and outline the guidelines for application. She hopes to distribute the handouts to Fire Island residents in August.
"We want to get it done as soon as possible," Fields said. "There is going to be another storm and we want people to know what to expect."
Fields had been considering legislation to guide homeowners through the permit process, but after the meeting she said it was not necessary.
Any emergency repair that alters a building, like installing braces under a house to secure its structure, requires a DEC permit if it is located on state or town-regulated wetlands.
In order to apply for an emergency permit, homeowners need photographs of thr house taken before and after the storm damage, and written repair plans.
Scully said the DEC should be able to issue a permit within two days of recving those materials.
As for preventative measures, Brookhaven town has secured $900,000 in federal money to bring sand from other parts of Long Island to the Davis Park oceanfront.
Fields said the project would start with 20,000 cubic yards of sand.
Brookhaven Councilman Timothy Mazz, who did not attend the meeting, said he hopes for up to $3 million more in federal money to fund a beach nourishment project on Fire Island.
Lund called the meeting "productive," but said it was not necessarily a conclusion.
"I think this is a start," he said. Snoozeday seems to be wiping her tush lately.
BY CHRISTINA HERNANDEZ
christina.hernandez@newsday.com
Email this story
Printer friendly format
July 9, 2007, 10:52 AM EDT
With hurricane season fast approaching, state Assemb. Ginny Fields met Friday with state representatives and the Davis Park Property Owners' Association in an effort to speed up the emergency permitting process that was slowed by miscommunication after April's nor'er.
The two-hour, closed-door meeting brought together the president of the Davis Park association, who was frustrated with the government response to the nor'er, and the regional director and permits and wetlands representatives of the Department of Environmental Conservation.
"What we were trying to do was to find out what happened after the last storm," Fields said, "and what could happen after the next."
John Lund, president of the Davis Park group, said a meeting with the DEC and other government officials 10 days after the nor'er took too long to arrange and that residents whose homes were damaged were confused about the emergency permit application process.
"I think we can prepare people better for the next storm," he said.
On Friday, the DEC and the property owner's association agreed to collaborate on a pamphlet that would outline how to prepare for and handle home damage, said Peter Scully, DEC regional director.
"It was clear that it would be helpful to provide some simple and understandable guidance for homeowners in this erosion-hazard area," he said.
Fields said the pamphlet would describe the different types of permits and outline the guidelines for application. She hopes to distribute the handouts to Fire Island residents in August.
"We want to get it done as soon as possible," Fields said. "There is going to be another storm and we want people to know what to expect."
Fields had been considering legislation to guide homeowners through the permit process, but after the meeting she said it was not necessary.
Any emergency repair that alters a building, like installing braces under a house to secure its structure, requires a DEC permit if it is located on state or town-regulated wetlands.
In order to apply for an emergency permit, homeowners need photographs of thr house taken before and after the storm damage, and written repair plans.
Scully said the DEC should be able to issue a permit within two days of recving those materials.
As for preventative measures, Brookhaven town has secured $900,000 in federal money to bring sand from other parts of Long Island to the Davis Park oceanfront.
Fields said the project would start with 20,000 cubic yards of sand.
Brookhaven Councilman Timothy Mazz, who did not attend the meeting, said he hopes for up to $3 million more in federal money to fund a beach nourishment project on Fire Island.
Lund called the meeting "productive," but said it was not necessarily a conclusion.
"I think this is a start," he said. Snoozeday seems to be wiping her tush lately.