Strong storms this winter have taken their toll on East Hampton’s Georgica Beach, eroding it to roughly half its normal, summertime size.
Town officials say the remaining land is not big enough for the hundreds of beachgoers who normally flock there during the high season.
But the town is also concerned that cars and people will pour into East Hampton’s other beaches, which could make the luxurious community feel less comfortable and more crowded.
Russ Finkelstein has this report.
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Host Intro:
Georgica Beach is considered one of East Hampton’s most beautiful summer spots.
But this past year, strong storms took their toll on it, eroding the beach to roughly half it’s normal, summertime size.
Town officials say it’s currently not big enough to fit a life guard tower and the hundreds of beachgoers that normally flock there in the summer.
But the town is also concerned that cars and people will pour into East Hampton’s other beaches, which could make the luxurious community feel less comfortable and more crowded.
Russ Finkelstein has this report.
[Cue Beach Sounds]
Track:
From a sand-swept, coned off parking lot, East Hamptons Village Administrator Larry Cantwell overlooks the cracked dunes and exposed rocks at Georgica Beach.
The ocean breeze blows at his salt and pepper hair and mustache as he points out the 50 or so feet of sand sloping to the water’s edge.
Act. Larry Cantwell:
The beach today looks a lot better than it did a week ago.
Track:
But the parking lot where Cantwell is standing drops off about 5 feet to the beach like a miniature cliff, marking where the sea has eaten away at the bluff this past winter.
He says that he hasn’t seen erosion this bad at Georgica since the early 1970’s.
Act Cantwell:
The good news is, after that, the beach came back and you know, for 35 years it was one of the nicest beaches anywhere in the country. But we got hit with hurricane Irene, and we had severe erosion again.
Track:
Cantwell says the erosion of Georgica was caused by a combination of especially violent storms like Irene together with the ocean’s normal processes.
Act. Cantwell:
The dynamics of that are fairly complicated in terms of, you know, where the sandbars are, how much the wind blows, all dictates the erosion that occurs from time to time.
Track:
It’’s also natural processes that allow beaches to recover. Cantwell’s hoping Georgica will do just that before the summer gets going.
If it doesn’t, he’ll have to make the call to close the beach.
Cantwell says keeping people away won’t likely improve conditions.
But practically, Georgica is too small now to staff with a lifeguard.
You’d be able to go there, but swim at your own risk.
David Rattiner used to be a lifeguard at Georgica and is now the web editor of Dan’s Papers, a Hamptons weekly.
He says the regulars will still be here this summer, and you’ve probably heard of some of them.
David Act:
This is Steven Spielberg’s beach here, this is where he would go if he wanted to go to the beach. I’ve seen Russell Simmons do yoga right over there and you know, meditate in the morning.
Track:
But aside from celebrated film directors and hip-hop moguls, Georgica is typically frequented by families with small children.
As a lifeguard, Rattiner used to watch over them.
He feels so strongly about the beach, he wrote a musical about it.
Act: (Song from David’s musical)
Track:
This is the opening number to “Main Beach” which Rattiner says is largely autobiographical.
Welcome to summer in paradise, where the ocean air is oh so nice. It’s the beach where we want to be…
Cross fade to sound of Church belles Chiming
Track:
A couple of miles away on East Hampton’s Main Street, local businesses are preparing ahead of the summer season.
Painters are finishing the trim at the Starbucks and landscape crews tend to the shrubbery in front of the Polo Country Store, whose owner, Ralph Lauren, lives nearby.
(constructiony sounds, painting sounds)
Track:
Greg Turpan owns a high-end kitchen-ware store just off main street.
Act Turpan:
Anytime there’s erosion at a beach or anything that disturbs the incredible landscape that we have out here it’s of great concern.
Track:
Turpan says that’s because people come here for the ambiance.
If Georgica closes, crowds at the other beaches could make East Hampton a little less pleasant.
Act Turpan:
I mean, there’s room for everybody it’s just that, it’s been based on the number of beach passes issued, pretty luxurious, that you know even on the 4th of July weekend that you know, you can go to the beach and you’re not going to be stepping on someone else’s toes.
Track:
East Hampton Village parking passes are a big deal.
They allow residents and visitors to park at village beaches, including Georgica.
The’re free for residents but cost $325 for out-of-towners.
People who buy them are used to having ample parking and plenty of towel space, and one less beach would make a difference.
That’s why East Hamptons village administrator Larry Cantwell doesn’t take his job lightly.
Act. Cantwell:
Our full-time, seven day a week beach operation starts around the third week of June. So, we have time before we need to make that final decision.
Track:
But Cantwell has a contingency plan.
He says as a last resort the village could put a lifeguard at Wiborg Beach a few miles up the road.
But for this town, Georgica is a tradition.
So, Cantwell says East Hampton will wait to see if Georgica recovers.
Russ Finkelstein, Columbia Radio News.
