MONTAUK SURFCASTERS ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 497
MONTAUK, NEW YORK 11954

June 1, 2000

Mr. David Avrin
Gateway National Recreation Area
Floyd Bennett Field
Brooklyn, NY 11234

Re: Spring Creek by Howard Beach Beach Clean-up and Vehicle Access

Dear Mr. Avrin:

It was a pleasure to talk to you on May 22,2000 concerning the proposal of the Montauk Surfcaster's Association to clean up the beach in return for vehicle access to the Spring Creek area on the north side of Jamaica Bay. As you know the beach has been neglected and is covered with litter. There was also evidence of the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the building of fires. The Montauk Surfcaster's Association is a non-profit organization concerned with fishing in and about the beaches of Long Island. We have annual beach clean-ups at various state and county parks and participate in the national beach clean-up day activities. Among the beaches we have recently cleaned are Gilgo and Montauk State Parks.

As mentioned to you on the phone in return we have access to the beaches we clean and follow a code of behavior in order to promote greater usage and benefit of these waterfront resources. Our proposal to you is to clean the beach at Spring Creek in return for keyed access of our vehicles to the beach via the gravel access road off of 165 Avenue just west of Cross Bay Blvd. We would issue the keys to certain members and provide you with their name, address, and phone number. I believe this will be mutually beneficial as experience has shown that there is less vandalism and unlawful activities when areas are used by fishermen/women simply because the presence of responsible adults acts as a natural deterrent.

We will limit our vehicle access to waterline along the beach and preserve the grasslands. We would prepare a schematic map to show the agreed up limits of right-of way (This in most cases represents the limits of the area to be maintained). If you would like we will call in whenever we are on the beach and also provide verbal reports to you or your designate with regard to security. Our activities are limited to fishing. We do not build fires or bring in alcoholic beverages and we police our own members. Maximum vehicle speed is 10 mph. Should you have any complaints, you simply call me and the matter will be taken care of immediately. It should be quite easy to work out the finer points of the plan and we try to be very flexible on the details.

As for specifics on the clean-up(s). (1) we do not remove any giant or very heavy objects; (2) the litter collected would be put in plastic bags (either provided by you or we will bring our own); and, (3) the bags will be left on the side of the gravel access road on the off street side near the gated entrance from the public road. If you provide a telephone number we will call to report the number of bags to be picked up by your staff for proper disposal. With your permission we will also provide and install anti-litter signs.

Thank you again for this opportunity to promote greater beneficial use and care for our beaches. We understand that it is only natural that you we have questions and I look forward to talking with you further. You may reach me at 718-244-4752 (day), 516-326-9370 (night), and expedite mail on this matter by sending to me directly at Richard Robert Wilson, 8 8 Oak Street, Floral Park, NY I I 00 1.

Very Truly Yours,

Richard Robert Wilson for
Willie Young, President M.S.A

cc: Willie Young