Residents say inlet beach "is gone" after emergency county dredge; trustees to raise concerns

Residents pressed the Southampton Town Trustees on Aug. 3 after a spring emergency dredge removed a longstanding accumulation of sand used by the neighborhood as a beach.

"What I'm concerned about is the beach is gone," said Bob Edel, who told trustees his family has used the inlet area for nearly 80 years and asked why the sand that had historically returned after fall dredges did not reappear. Richard Spatel, who said his family has lived nearby since 1969, described visiting over Memorial Day weekend and finding the beach "all gone" a week later after dredging started.

Trustees responded that the county performs dredging and that this year’s work occurred in a spring emergency window rather than the more typical fall schedule. A trustee explained the town submits a priority list but the county controls timing and the navigable-channel specifications: "We submit it to the county, and they evaluate them," the trustee said, and added that navigation safety drives the county’s approach.

Residents asked whether markers or specifications had changed and whether the town could secure a commitment that the beach would be restored. Trustees said they were surprised as residents were and that they will raise the questions with Suffolk County dredging staff to determine what happened and whether any change in marking or specification led to the loss of the beach.

The trustees did not direct immediate remedial work during the meeting; they said the town will follow up with the county and report back to the neighborhood. Residents said the loss of the beach affected community access and seasonal recreation, and requested clearer town communication when emergency dredging is planned.