BAY SHORE, N.Y. – A dispute over a plan to replenish sand along a 19-mile stretch of shoreline on New York's Fire Island is headed back to court.
Audubon New York obtained a temporary court order last month halting the project. The group says nesting areas for the piping plover, a federally protected bird, will be destroyed if the $207 million project proceeds.
Elected officials across Long Island say the sand needs to be replenished to bulk up Fire Island. They say the barrier beach 5 miles south of Long Island is needed to protect against flooding on the mainland.
Others argue that the project is a waste of money and will not prevent flooding in south shore Long Island neighborhoods.
A hearing is set Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Central Islip.
