The Cut Opening

[@SouthForkSalt]

An excavator recently opened the Cut. Piping Plover nests have hampered this process for the past couple seasons, causing the water level to rise quite high. When the cut is open, Oysters & Clams thrive from the influx of saltwater, as does the overall water quality. Healthy water allows a commercial shellfishery to exist in Mecox Bay. Furthermore, as the Bay level rises from rainfall and runoff, the farmland bordering the coast becomes flooded (as do the lawns and basements of some waterfront residents). Runoff also tends to diminish the water’s health, as nutrients bolstering toxic algae blooms flood the Bay. Many waterfront residents prefer a high water level though; the majority of the Bay is shallow, so when the cut is opened, the water level becomes too low to run a motorboat. Plus, the smell this “low tide” causes isn’t too pleasant up in the estuaries. A group of beachfront property owners on the western, ocean side also dislike the cut openings. A study from 1988 suggested that the long shore sand waves (imagine underwater dunes parallel to the coast) are eroded by the cut’s powerful flow. This allows long-period swells from the east to more easily carve out those western beaches, putting the homes there in harm’s way. All of these interests clash, necessitating compromise between people who don’t like to be told “no”: the federal and state governments, ultra-rich beachfront property owners, and the Southampton Town Trustees, who have managed this process since before the United States government existed. A delicate balance must be maintained, but that becomes exponentially more difficult as more money and ecological concerns enter the equation over time.

[@goodvibrations2311]

Living nearby I can attest that this is an excellent summary!

[@CrazyAlbertoKnee]

Can’t wait to fish it with 1/2 buckies

[@CrazyAlbertoKnee]

I bet bass will be there 😊

[@NYGOLD]

Can we admire the stability of that drone shot for a minute. WOW!!!!

[@timiaus]

Husband: "Hey honey, im just going to play in the sand with the kids..." Wife: "Play safely..." Husband: "Don't worry i have my hard hat on!" Wife: "What?!" Husband: " wat?"

[@trex1448]

Why??

[@SouthForkSalt]

See the comment I just pinned.