$26.5 Million Beach Restoration Plan Approved in Bridgehampton, Sagaponack

Oceanfront property owners from Water Mill to Sagaponack voted Saturday to approve a $26.5 million plan to shore up beaches by strategically depositing sand.

The hope is that the beach renourishment will protect homes from storm damage and protect Southampton Town's greatest recreational assets — the beaches themselves. Included in the plan is $1.5 million paid by homeowners for beach renourishment at public lands, plus another $1.5 million paid for by the town, through park fees.

A total of 124 property owners in the erosion control districts voted.

Bridgehampton Beach Erosion Control District voters cast 43 ballots in favor and 25 against. Sagaponack Beach Erosion Control District voters cast 32 in favor and 24 against.

In the Bridgehampton Beach Erosion Control District, 1,092,500 cubic yards of sand are to be distributed for beach and dune restoration at a cost of $12,543,350, including interest. That includes half of the cost of beach renourishment on town-owned parcels, such as Scott Cameron Beach, not to exceed $960,000. An additional $60,000 in monitoring costs will be collected through taxes annually, bringing the total cost in the district to $13,143,350, spread out over 10 years.

In the Sagaponack Beach Erosion Control District, 1,035,000 cubic yards are sand are to be distributed at a cost of $12,764,500, including interest. That includes half of the cost of beach renourishment on town-owned parcels, such a Sagg Main Beach, not to exceed $540,000. An additional $60,000 in monitoring costs will be collected through taxes annually, bringing the total cost in the district to $13,364,500, spread out over 10 years.

Voting was held at Southampton Town Hall, and also by absentee ballot. Only property owners, whose names are on a deed, or an authorized representative of a corporate owner were permitted too cast ballots.