The news on the Oyster Bay Eastern Waterfront is that a comprehensive waterfront plan is a realistic goal. Friends of the Bay Executive Director Louise Harrison said the parties involved have been successfully brought together, and the town is moving along and appears poised to apply for a grant to fund some real planning.

A group of interested citizens has been meeting quietly and talking about the need for a plan for the Oyster Bay Eastern Waterfront. The group includes members from Island Properties (the major landowner in the area); the Friends of the Bay, the Town of Oyster Bay and the New York State Department of State. Recently the Oyster Bay Marine Center, the Main Street Association and The WaterFront Center approached Island Properties expressing an interest in joining the group because of similar goals, as well as to address some short term issues.

Lori Horowitz, COO of Island Properties said the group's last meeting was held in their office. She said, "Island Properties is very supportive of the project."

Louise Harrison, FOB executive director said in the future other participants will include groups such as the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, local stakeholders and the local civics. "The Department of State is staying involved and wants to give as much support to the process as they can," said Ms. Harrison.

"Our near term plan is to work with the Town of Oyster Bay to help them secure an Environmental Protection Fund grant for a comprehensive plan for the eastern waterfront. There will be a workshop on applying for EPF grants on Tuesday, May 4 at Planting Fields Arboretum between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The town said on Thursday that they will send a representative to that meeting," she said.

Ms. Harrison also said, "We recognize that in spite of the very important objective of a comprehensive long-term plan, nonetheless, there are short term needs for improvement in facilities and activities that should be addressed as soon as possible. For example, repairs to the infrastructure - such as bulk head repairs."

She added, "Our group will be expanding soon. At this point we're working to reach agreement on our next steps. We will be meeting very soon after the EPF grant workshop."

Both the NYS DOS and DEC are running the EPF grants workshop. "The reason they have the workshops every year is to explain to the municipalities the kind of projects the state wants to work toward so the municipalities have a better chance of being funded," she said.

On Thursday evening, April 22, Ms. Harrison explained the process to members of the Oyster Bay Civic Association, bringing them up to date on what the Eastern Waterfront group has done over the past two years and what they believe the next steps are, which will include expansion of the group.

"We are aiming at long-term planning and hope to get the town involved in creating such a plan. We also want to address the more immediate needs," said Ms. Harrison.