Beach access between Little Albert's Landing and Fresh Pond Beach in Amagansett, a traditional site for viewing the Devon Yacht Club's annual fireworks display over Gardiner's Bay, will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians on Saturday because of the presence of nesting piping plovers, a protected endangered species.
Pedestrian and vehicle beach access will be allowed only at the end of Albert's Landing Road, according to a statement issued by East Hampton Town on Friday afternoon. Pedestrian-only access will be allowed at the end of Barnes Landing Road, Fresh Pond Road (heading south only), and at Abram's Landing Road near the yacht club.
The yacht club will host its fireworks display on Saturday night. The position of the fireworks barge in Gardiner's Bay has been adjusted southward to be farther away from the birds.
The town has worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as well as Grucci Fireworks, which will present the show, to establish this plan to protect the plovers. Causing harm to or the death of piping plovers is subject to federal fines of more than $10,000.
The town's Natural Resources Department staff will be on site to monitor plover activity. The plan is subject to change based on activity of the endangered birds.