The FIIP has pro ceeded differently, however. Department of the Interior officials, for example, told the Corps in com ments dated February 29, that they demand that a build ing moratorium be a part of the project. The two agencies have targeted some 380 homes in Fire Island s dune area for acquisition, in blithe disregard of the impact removal of these structures would have on municipal and county tax revenues, let alone the contributions they make to the Long Island economy. Of course, the effect of this policy would be to place the rest of the barrier island in danger of serious flood damage. The anti-project officials ignore, too, the fact that the Corps justifies the project economically not in the protection it affords to Fire Island homes, but to homes, businesses and infrastructure on the mainland.
Long Island deserves better.
This article appeared in the Summer 2000 issue of Coastal Reports , the newsletter of the Long Island Coastal Alliance. The newsletter has reported on coastal policy issues on Long Island since 1990.