Environmentalists and residents gathered at the Cold Spring Harbor Library on Feb. 21 to learn what plans the North Shore Land Alliance has for the former Exxon Mobil site. The site is located on the harbor, northwest of the village of Cold Spring Harbor, on Shore Road.
Lisa Ott, president of the NSLA reviewed the organization’s mission, which is to “protect and preserve, in perpetuity, the green spaces, farmlands, wetlands, groundwater and historical sites of Long Island’s North Shore for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations and the protection and enhancement of quality of life.”
Ott then went on to give a brief history of the site. The tanks were taken down between 2005 and 2006, and remediation of the site was conducted by Exxon Mobil. A notice of “no further action” necessary was issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation in March 2011.
The site is eight acres, of which two are underwater. The dominant habitat is a rare maritime grassland which will be restored, along with the salt marsh and beach area. It is anticipated that a full restoration may take as long as ten years, depending on availability of funding. There will be a parking space for four to five cars. Louise Harrison spoke up to remind everyone present how rare is to get a donation of such a significant and environmentally important waterfront property.
The Exxon Mobil Site is bordered by the Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club and Eagle Dock.
