The Suffolk County Legislature has unanimously approved new legislation designed to safeguard the region’s working waterfronts, ensuring that more than 2,400 acres of commercial waterfront property remain dedicated to maritime industries.
The “Working Waterfronts” bill, co-sponsored by East End legislators Ann Welker and Catherine Stark, establishes a Working Waterfront Committee to oversee conservation easements. These easements will guarantee that properties historically used for marine purposes—such as fishing, aquaculture, boat building, and marine repair—remain committed to those industries. Backed by $9.5 million in capital funding between 2026 and 2028, the initiative represents a significant investment in the future of Suffolk’s maritime economy.
Suffolk County is home to nearly 3,000 marine-related businesses employing more than 38,000 residents. The new law aims to protect local jobs and small businesses while preserving critical access to docks, boatyards, and marine facilities. Concerns over the recent sales of iconic waterfront properties, including the $34.35 million sale of Gosman’s Dock in Montauk, provided additional momentum for the measure.
Modeled after the county’s longstanding farmland preservation program, the initiative allows Suffolk to purchase development rights for waterfront properties. Owners will retain private ownership, but the conservation easements will ensure the sites remain tied to maritime uses for generations to come. The legislation received strong support from commercial fishing advocates, recognizing the sector’s role in generating tens of millions of dollars annually while sustaining Long Island’s coastal heritage and tourism.
Once signed into law by County Executive Ed Romaine, the program will be overseen by a 17-member committee responsible for reviewing applicants and implementing the easements. While dwellings and non-commercial buildings will be excluded, maritime structures such as docks, piers, wharves, packhouses, and ice houses may be included, securing the infrastructure essential to Long Island’s fishing and boating industries.
The approval of this legislation marks a pivotal moment in the preservation of Suffolk’s maritime economy and traditions. By protecting the working waterfront, the county reinforces its commitment to safeguarding jobs, culture, and access to the waterways that have long defined life on Long Island.
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