June 20, 2000

MONTAUK SURFCASTERS ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 497
MONTAUK, NEW YORK 11954
(516)798-2585

June 20, 2000
Hon. Bernadette Castro
Commissioner of the New York State
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Belmont Lake State Park
P.O. Box 247
Babylon, New York II 702

Dear Commissioner Castro:

The Montauk Surfcasters' Association, ("M.S.A.") recently became aware that the State is considering allowing surfing at Camp Hero. The M.S.A. has steadfastly opposed opening up this area to surfing, and we have made our objections known to the State and, most recently, to the State's consultant who requested the M.S.A.'s input as part of the Camp Hero feasibility study ("the study").

We were assured that while this study was underway, no action would be taken by the State to upset the current policy that prohibits surfing at Camp Hero. The M.S.A would consider it ill advised for surfing to be permitted in this area until the study is completed and all interested parties have had a full and fair opportunity to be heard on the issues. The M.S.A. has been an active participant in Camp Hero meetings and we have done our best to respond to the consultant's questions about future uses for this site. It would be a shame if the record. were ignored and decisions made in a vacuum without adequate consideration of the environmental and public policy issues we have raised.

There are sound reasons why surfing should not be permitted in Camp Hero. We are particularly interested to see how the State proposes to deal with the congestion that would arise if Camp Hero were opened up to surfers. The area is already heavily used by fishermen, and we have been advised by the state that no new access would be added until the feasibility study is completed. Moreover, the few parking spaces that currently exist would be insufficient to accommodate an influx of surfers to this area.

In addition, attempts to restrict surfers to certain areas have not worked in the past. One case in point is the area known as Turtle Cove, a town of East Hampton beach

were surfing is permitted. Although surfers are supposed to remain within the Turtle Cove area, we have observed that many surfers seek the rougher waves in front of the lighthouse causing surfcasters to either stop fishing or risk injuring surfers who stray into areas where fishing lures are cast. These conflicts will grow in number and intensity as the popularity of both sports expand. Attempting to confine surfers to a particular area has not worked at Turtle Cove and will not work at Camp Hero, a more remote location that is even more difficult to police than the Point. At Camp Hero, there is no area which is not heavily fished by surfcasters and as a practical matter, no area exists which would permit each group to pursue its sport without interference from the other.

Montauk Point, including the area known as Camp Hero, has historically been the exclusive domain of surfcasters. Surfcasting is prominently mentioned in the legislation which authorized the acquisition of Camp Hero-by the State from the federal government, and surf fishermen were instrumental in getting this legislation approved. Montauk Point is the "Mecca" of surfcasting, and the M.S.A is interested in preserving and protecting that image now and in the future.

It is clear that these issues deserve more study. Any attempt to short circuit the process would be viewed most unfavorably by the surf fishing community.

Yours Truly,

William Young
President, M.S.A

Barry L. Schwartz
M.S.A representative to the Fishing Advisory Board

cc: Assembly man Fred W. Thiele, Jr, Assembly District No.2