News

County considers joining DEC suit


Through a resolution sponsored by First District RepresentativeEd Romaine, the Suffolk County Legislature has, in an 18 to 0 vote,approved a move to consider joining the marine fishing licenselawsuit against the New York State Department of EnvironmentalConservation initiated by Shelter Island, East Hampton andSouthampton, according to a December 2 press release from Mr.Romaine’s office.

The towns of Brookhaven, Oyster Bay and Huntington have alreadyjoined the lawsuit and injunction against the new state fishinglicense.

Mr. Romaine stated that the $10 per year fee is estimated to put$4 million per year into state coffers.

“Albany cannot balance its budget on the backs of LongIslanders, Mr. Romaine said.

The fee, which went into effect on October 1, is not enforceablein many of Suffolk’s towns because of the lawsuit.

Mr. Romaine’s legislation directs the Suffolk County Departmentof Law to study the feasibility of intervening in the lawsuitagainst the DEC.