Letters

As a resident of the North Sea area (Big Fresh Pond) since the late 1980s, I have observed the development from the initial Boy Scouts’ efforts to the establishment of the oyster hatchery. And I have been a member for many years.

To have such an environmentally important nonprofit operating at that location is not only continuing a century-old tradition of baymen harvesting oysters but, in our time and age, vitally important to not only harvest but regrow oyster reefs. The environmental benefits created by these water-filtering bivalves is second to none and vitally important.

In addition to the benefits for our community — education and internships for Southampton High School students, jobs for local residents — the hatchery donated close to 2 million oysters to the Town Trustees.

Being on the advisory board of the School of Atmospheric and Marine Sciences at Stony Brook University and as chair of the Southampton Town Sustainability Advisory Committee, I have been closely involved with activities to remedy the negative impacts on our environment, and especially the bays. Therefore, to force the closure of such an important entity for the sake of a “beautification plan” is hard to understand and should not be permitted.

Dieter von Lehsten

North Sea