Kalikow's Request to Extend 'Monster' Dock Comes Under Fire

Members of a citizens group have vowed to rail against a prominent Montauk resident's application to extend what's is already the longest dock in East Hampton Town.

Attorney James Henry, representing the Concerned Citizens of Montauk, told the East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday night that he spoke of the behalf of, “800 citizens who are opposed to this project who will fight it tooth and nail.”

Peter Kalikow, a former chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority and former publisher of The New York Post, has applied for a variance that would allow him to extend the length of his 145 foot dock by another 15 feet into Lake Montauk.

Eric Bregman, Kalikow's attorney, said his client needs a dock that extends further into the depths of the lake because his boat is causing a problem in the shallower end. “The whole purpose here is just to mitigate the effects of the use of the dock and the use of the boat," he said.

“It’s very difficult to operate the boat at low tide," Bregman told the ZBA in the over three hour long hearing. "As a result, the bow that’s closest to the shore at low tide is often on the bottom and the stern where the propeller is often close enough to the bottom to stir up the bottom.”

The proposed extension would provide about 18 inches of additional depth, according to Bregman.

Bregman argued the extension would be beneficial to all. “If he continues to use it, it’s just going to continue to cause more damage, or more damage than it would if it were extended. This will make it better."

He acknowledged a study by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County which found that the reason there is currently no eelgrass around the dock is partly because of the construction of the original dock and the ongoing operation of the boat.

But, Henry argued that the siltation and turbidity of Lake Montauk is hugely detrimental to the health of the lake and that this extension project and ongoing use of the boat, a 40 foot, magnum, dual inboard according to Henry, would only further the problem.

Henry sait is already "the largest single private dock in all of East Hampton.” It is, he said, 250 percent of the length permitted by East Hampton Town code.

Jeremy Samuelson, an environmental advocate with the Group for the East End, agreed. “The code says 400 square feet. We’re at 1,600 sqaure feet,” he told the board.

He continued, “At four times the limit Mr. Kalikow is saying that if he could build a little bigger, it would be better for the environment.”

“Is bigger going to be better for the environment?,” he said. “Anyone who is being intellectually honest has to say that the answer is ‘no’.”

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service have studied Lake Montauk and concluded, according to Samuelson, the existing dock and operation of the boat was hugely detrimental to an acre surrounding that area.

While Bregman read from a letter written in support by Larry Penny, director of the town's Department of Natural Resources, Penny advised that Kalikow and the town should make an agreement to try to restore the eelgrass, fauna and epifauna that was once in the area.

Brian Frank, the chief environmental analyst for the town advised the board, “I don’t think that the answer is very black and white.” He acknowledged accuracies on both sides of the argument, adding, “There are benefits to eliminating the disturbances that are going on now.” 

An extended dock would also be 10 feet closer to the channel, but would not impede navigation, Bregman said. Showing a map to the board he explained, “This very map was reviewed by the Coast Guard and they said it’s no problem to navigation.”

Kalikow would be willing to assume the cost of the addition and maintenance of six fixed navigation markers along the waterway adjacent to his property, Bregman told the ZBA. “I think the navigation is a non-issue and if anything it gets improved with the offer of the markers."

Richad Kahn, a member of Concerned Citizens of Montauk who opposed the extension, told the board, “If you approve this variance. Why can’t I have a dock?” He continued, “I’m 80 years old and I have to carry my kayak into the lake. How do you say ‘no’ to me if you approve this monster?”