Atlantic Golf Club Expansion May Need DEC Permit To Protect Tiger Salamander - 27 East

Real Estate News

Real Estate News / 1394426

Atlantic Golf Club Expansion May Need DEC Permit To Protect Tiger Salamander

icon 1 Photo
After 23 years of selling a special blend of coffee at her Sag Harbor furniture store Sylvester & Co., Lynda Sylvester and her new business partner Vivian Polak are branching out and bottling the brew for a good cause. BRANDON B. QUINN

After 23 years of selling a special blend of coffee at her Sag Harbor furniture store Sylvester & Co., Lynda Sylvester and her new business partner Vivian Polak are branching out and bottling the brew for a good cause. BRANDON B. QUINN

authorJD Allen on Oct 30, 2018

The former director of the East Hampton Town Natural Resources Department is taking issue with a proposed expansion of the Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, saying the club hasn’t taken the appropriate steps to protect endangered eastern tiger salamanders that live in nearby wetlands.

In 1990, Larry Penny was part of a team hired to complete an extensive environmental study of the then-proposed 204-acre golf course, when he discovered a population of tiger salamanders. Southampton Town Planning Board members at the time approved the golf course on the condition that the club conserve protected wetlands at the site.

However, in October, the Planning Board made no mention of the tiger salamander when members ruled that a proposal to construct a teaching facility and expand the golf club’s driving range, which will require the relocation of some wetlands flora and fauna, would have no environmental impact under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

“Things are getting a little sloppy in the town,” said Mr. Penny, who is a resident of Noyac.

According to the State Department of Environmental Conservation, if work proposed by the golf club is within 1,000 feet of a pond that is known to be a breeding ground for the tiger salamander, a Threatened and Endangered Species Taking permit would be needed.

Officials from the Atlantic Golf Club could not be reached for comment, but the need for the permit was news to Tony Panza, the architect hired for the wetlands relocation project.

“I don’t think there was anything discussed about the tiger salamander,” Mr. Panza said. He noted that he’s still waiting on marching orders from the town on how to proceed after the last meeting—presumably working toward site plan approval from the Planning Board.

In October, Mr. Penny brought the proposal to the attention of the DEC. Officials said they have reached out to Southampton Town to alert them of the requirement.

“If we need to do it, we’ll do it,” Mr. Panza said.

Mr. Penny said he recalls finding a tiger salamander nearly three decades ago near an existing freshwater pond to the northwest, where the wetlands are being relocated.

As part of the proposed wetlands relocation, a catch-and-release program is being considered for turtles and frogs that live in the area. The town typically requires a maintenance agreement to monitor the progress of wildlife and replanting of native flora.

You May Also Like:

Going Once, Going Twice: Auctions Are an Alternative to Traditional Real Estate Listings

In the ultra-luxury market, the delta between a seller’s lofty expectations and the price that ... 23 Apr 2025 by Brendan J. O’Reilly

Agency News: Agnes Wanielista Joins Douglas Elliman

Agnes Wanielista, a salesperson with 10 years of experience in luxury real estate, has joined ... by Staff Writer

1884 Rosemary Lodge Hits the Market

A Water Mill house that was built in 1884 and was listed on the National ... 15 Apr 2025 by Brendan J. O’Reilly

Real Estate, Money and You

“Real Estate, Money and You,” a real estate investment seminar, was hosted by Douglas Elliman ... 10 Apr 2025 by Kelly Ann Smith

Ellie Awards Recognize Top Performers

On Wednesday, March 19, Douglas Elliman announced the winners of the 2025 Ellie Awards, which honor the firm’s top-performing agents throughout the nation. “Since stepping into this role at Douglas Elliman, I have been deeply inspired by the dedication and resilience our agents show every day as they navigate an ever-changing market,” said Michael S. Liebowitz, the president and CEO of Douglas Elliman Inc. “Their expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and commitment to excellence not only set them apart as real estate professionals — they are the source of our reputation for providing the highest level of client service. I look forward ... 26 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

East Hampton's Butterfly House Is on the Market

An East Hampton home known as Butterfly House, which exhibits the butterfly roof design that ... 21 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

Newsletter Spotlights South Fork Land Use Laws

The mention of land use and zoning may cause the eyes of some people to ... 12 Mar 2025 by Brendan J. O’Reilly

Original North Haven Shores Model Home Hits the Market

One of the original model homes in the North Haven Shores community developed in the ... 11 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

'Housing in Your Hometown' Presentation Is April 5 in Bridgehampton

The Long Island Housing Coalition and the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center will present “Housing in Your Hometown” on Saturday, April 5, at the center on the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike. The program will include workshops on: “The Story of Housing in the Hamptons,” “Affordable Housing – How To Get to Yes,” “Housing a Nation – Empowering the Shinnecock,” “How To House Our Teachers,” “First-Time Homebuyer Programs,” “Co-ops and the Missing Middle” and “Senior Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers and Other Resources.” The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact ERASE Racism senior housing policy ... 9 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

PJCArchitecture Updates 1970s Sagaponack Spec Home

A lot has changed in the last 50 years in the architecture space, not only ... 3 Mar 2025 by Steven Loeb