Asharoken Seawall On 'Precipice Of Collapse': Mayor

ASHAROKEN, NY — Elected officials and community stakeholders met on May 10 to discuss the diminishing Asharoken Seawall and strategies to improve it, according to a news release.

The seawall is on the "precipice of collapse," which could cause a breach of Asharoken Avenue, said Asharoken Mayor Gregory Letica in a news release.

"All parties that could assist in finding a solution to the critical seawall replacement and beach restoration needed to come together," Letica said. "The path to a new seawall and a restored beach requires the coordination of all levels of government and many government agencies."

Letica thanked New York state Sen. Mario Mattera (R,C-Smithtown) and Assemblyman Keith Brown (R,C-Northport) for organizing and attending the meeting. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, U.S. Representative Nick LaLota, Gov. Kathy Hochul attended, as well as those from federal, state, county, town and village governments and agencies.

"This meeting was a terrific first step in that direction," Letica said. "I look forward to using the meeting as a springboard to completing both an interim and long-term fix of the seawall as quickly as possible."

Mattera said it is "imperative" officials act to protect Asharoken and Eaton's Neck residents who are affected every time there is a significant weather event because of the seawall's current condition.

Brown said a "short-term" action plan to make immediate repairs is needed to avoid a "catastrophic failure of the seawall" while a longer-term solution can be found.

"I was very pleased everyone understood the urgency of the situation, and everyone was willing to work together to build consensus," Brown stated. "I look forward to coming up with a solid action plan to move forward to protect the residents of Asharoken and Eaton’s Neck and emergency personnel from any harm during future storms."

Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth said the town and its highway department has always offered to support Asharoken Village and will continue to help in the future where it can.

"It is our hope that a long-term solution for this critical infrastructure will soon be forthcoming," Smyth said.

LaLota said the Asharoken and Eaton's Neck communities have waited "decades" for a permanent fix.

Schumer said the meeting was "productive" regarding efforts to protect Asharoken Avenue, a village road that is the only passageway to mainland Long Island for approximately 33 percent of Asharoken residents and all residents of Eaton's Neck.

"I’m also proud that $2 million in federal funding I appropriated has been secured by the village in recent years to make repairs to the crumbling seawall and plan future protective measures," Schumer said. "I will continue collaborating with state, county, town, and village leaders on long-term solutions to this continued flooding."

Mattera called the meeting a "great step," as it showed "coordination is truly possible."