[Amended 9-18-1992 by L.L. No. 31-1992; 3-3-2000 by L.L. No. 1-2000; 1-16-2003 by L.L. No. 1-2003; 2-4-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016; 8-5-2025 by L.L. No. 14-2025]
To be considered for dedication as a Nature Preserve, a property must meet at least one of the following criteria:
A. 
It serves as habitat for endangered, threatened, special concern or rare species as listed in New York State Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0535, the New York State Natural Heritage Program or listed in other applicable Federal Law.
B. 
It contains important habitat or significant concentrations or populations of breeding, feeding or resting wildlife.
C. 
It contains freshwater or tidal wetlands or ponds.
D. 
It contains outstanding examples of natural communities as identified by the New York State Natural Heritage Program or by the Town's Natural Resources or Planning Departments.
E. 
It contains geological features which are vulnerable to human disturbance, such as cliffs, bluffs, steep slopes, beaches or dunes, or which are primary examples of the effects of glaciation upon Long Island's landscape, such as kettleholes, kames, eskers or outwash stream channels.
F. 
It is particularly suited to and appropriate for environmental education programs or academic research programs.
G. 
It provides an essential buffer to other Nature Preserves, or to other Town, county, state or federal park land or open space.
H. 
It protects watershed areas critical to recharging precipitation into the Town's sole-source aquifer or maintaining surface water quality.
I. 
It exemplifies wilderness, or has other natural characteristics which make it especially suitable for human outdoor appreciation or enjoyment of the natural environment.
A. 
Nomination. A nomination regarding Town-owned property for dedication to Nature Preserve status must be submitted to the Town Board in writing. A nomination may be made by Town agencies, community organizations, or interested individuals.
B. 
Evaluation. The following procedures shall govern the evaluation of a property nomination:
(1) 
Every written nomination submitted to the Town Board shall be referred to the Nature Preserve Committee established pursuant to !182-12 hereof for an evaluation of its suitability for dedication as a Nature Preserve.
(2) 
The Nature Preserve Committee shall refer nominations for dedication to the Department of Land Acquisition and Management and/or the Planning Department for a written evaluation and analysis of the proposed nomination. If a written evaluation is not sought from these Departments by the Nature Preserve Committee, the Town Board, at its sole election, may request a written assessment by these Departments.
(3) 
The Nature Preserve Committee, as well as the Department of Land Acquisition and Management and the Planning Department, shall utilize the criteria contained in § 182-10 hereof in making a written evaluation as to whether the nominated property should be considered for inclusion as a Nature Preserve. The evaluation shall be forwarded to the Town Board within 90 days of receipt of said request.
C. 
Referral to Town Board. The Town Board shall review the written evaluation it receives pursuant to Subsection B above. If the Nature Preserve Committee's or Department's evaluation recommends against dedication as a Nature Preserve, no public hearing need be held. If the evaluation recommends dedication as a Nature Preserve, said nomination is subject to public hearing.
D. 
Hearing. The Town Board shall schedule a public hearing within 60 days of receipt of a positive referral for dedication from the Nature Preserve Committee. Said hearing shall be held not less than five nor more than 30 days after public notice has been given of the time and place of holding such public hearing. Such notice shall be given by the Town Clerk, causing the same to be published once in the official newspaper of the Town.
E. 
Dedication. Following the public hearing, the Town Board, by resolution, may dedicate all, part or none of the Town-owned property discussed at the public hearing as a Nature Preserve.
F. 
Trustee lands. Dedication pursuant to this chapter shall have no effect on wetlands, beaches, highways, underwater lands or other property in the ownership of the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonality of the Town of East Hampton.
A. 
The Town Board shall establish a Nature Preserve Committee to be appointed annually for review and consultation regarding new and existing Nature Preserves, and to help create Management Plans and best practices for the management of Nature Preserves. The Committee shall be composed of a minimum of seven East Hampton Town residents. Additionally, one Town Board member, one Town Trustee, and the Director of Land Acquisition and Management or his/her designee, will also be ex officio members.
B. 
The Director of Planning or his/her designee and the Town Director of Natural Resources or his/her designee shall serve as ex officio advisors to the Nature Preserve Committee on an as-needed basis.
C. 
The Nature Preserve Committee shall be responsible for performing the following tasks:
(1) 
Inventorying existing Town-owned property to assess possible nomination for Nature Preserve status. This will include working with appropriate departments, generating or requesting to be generated property assessments as per § 182-11 hereof.
(2) 
Preparing, or causing to be prepared, management plans for properties dedicated as a Nature Preserve, to ensure that said properties' unique features are preserved and protected, and to ensure that said properties are managed and maintained in the most appropriate manner consistent with the purposes of this chapter
(3) 
Providing the Town Board with advice and expertise concerning land management and enforcement issues related to Nature Preserves.
(4) 
Advising the Town Board of enforcement and management problems.
A. 
The properties dedicated as a Town Nature Preserve are hereby declared to be held in trust for the benefit of the people of the Town, in order to protect and preserve their natural, scenic, and environmental qualities and characteristics for future generations.
B. 
Property owned by the Town and dedicated under this chapter as a Nature Preserve shall not, except for routine periodic mowing necessary for maintaining or restoring the historic conditions of the site, be cleared or improved in any manner, except to provide opportunities that facilitate the purposes set forth in the in an adopted management plan and/or enhance educational or wilderness experiences, habitat restoration or grassland management unless each of the following procedures has first taken place:
(1) 
The Town Board shall hold a public hearing to allow public comment on the proposed land clearing on or improvement to certain property dedicated as a Nature Preserve. Said hearing shall be held not less than 14 nor more than 30 days after public notice has been given of the time and place of holding such public hearing. Such notice shall be given by the Town Clerk, causing the same to be published once in the official newspaper of the Town.
(2) 
Following the hearing, the Town Board shall, by a majority-plus-one vote, pass a resolution that makes a finding of an imperative and unavoidable public necessity requiring said land clearing on or improvement to certain property dedicated to the Nature Preserve.
C. 
Utility easements of a minor nature may be granted by the Town Board on the perimeter of property dedicated as a Nature Preserve by a majority-plus-one vote, without a public hearing and upon a finding of imperative and unavoidable public necessity.
D. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, removal of vegetation when deemed essential to prevent or reduce the risk of spreading infestation or fire may be permitted, provided the Town approves a plan for the same developed in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources and approved by Resolution of the Town Board after a public hearing.
A. 
The properties dedicated as Nature Preserves are hereby declared to be held in trust for the benefit of the people of the Town of present and future generations and declared to be put to their best and most important use for the public benefit.
B. 
Property owned by the Town and dedicated under this chapter as a Nature Preserve shall not be alienated, which means that such property shall not be conveyed, sold, leased, exchanged, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of without each of the following procedures haven first taken place:
(1) 
The Town Board shall hold a public hearing to allow public comment on the proposed conveyance, sale, lease, exchange, encumbrance or other disposal of certain property dedicated as a Nature Preserve. Said hearing shall be held not less than 14 nor more than 30 days after public notice has been given of the time and place of holding such public hearing. Such notice shall clearly identify the property in question, shall specify the nature of the proposed alienation or other change in the status of the property, and shall be given by the Town, causing the same to be published at least once in the official newspaper of the Town.
(2) 
In order for such alienation of property dedicated as a Nature Preserve to become effective, the Town Board must, by a majority-plus-one vote, pass a resolution that makes a finding of an imperative and unavoidable public necessity requiring conveyance, sale, lease, exchange, encumbrance, or other disposal or conversion of the specified property that is or was dedicated as a Nature Preserve.
(3) 
The Town Board resolution which authorizes the conveyance, sale, lease, exchange, encumbrance, or other disposal or conversion of property dedicated as a Nature Preserve shall be subject to mandatory public referendum.
(4) 
The Town Board shall comply with all other local and State laws affecting the disposal or alienation of parkland, including the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the common law rule known as the "parkland alienation doctrine."
A. 
A. Any management plan, including modifications to existing plans, prepared by the Nature Preserve Committee, or caused to be prepared by the Nature Preserve Committee pursuant to § 182-12C(2) of this chapter must be formally adopted for a property or properties in question as follows:
(1) 
The proposed management plan shall be discussed at least once at a regular meeting of the Nature Preserve Committee and shall have been approved by a simple majority of the Committee members then in attendance; and
(2) 
The Committee shalt thereafter, in writing, recommend the adoption of the management plan to the Town Board; and
(3) 
The Town Board shall, within 60 days of receiving a recommendation or amendment thereto from the Nature Preserve Committee, schedule a Town Board work session review on the proposed plan at which time the Town Board can request clarifications, changes, or modifications to said plan; and
(4) 
Post work session review of a proposed Management Plan, or an amendment to an existing plan, within 30 days, schedule a public hearing on the proposed Management Plan for the property so implicated upon at least seven days public notice.
B. 
After holding a public hearing as set forth above, the Town Board may adopt the proposed management plan (with any changes required by the Town Board), or any amendment thereto, by simple resolution.
C. 
A management plan, or amendment thereto which has been adopted pursuant to this section shall be filed with and maintained by the Department of Land Acquisition and Management. Said plans will be made available to the public on the Town's website.
D. 
The restrictions listed in the Generic Management Plan § 182-16D shall be automatically incorporated by reference to any management plan for a specific property unless the specific management plan expressly removes or alters a restriction or prohibited use. A management plan for a specific property may also include restrictions in addition to those of the generic management plan.
E. 
On any Nature Preserve for which a formal management plan has not been presented or adopted pursuant to § 182-15 of this chapter, the Town Board may, by resolution, approve the following activities on such Nature Preserve:
(1) 
Trail establishment, provided all the applicable procedures and requirements of this chapter have been satisfied; and
(2) 
Habitat restoration or revegetation activities pursuant to a restoration and/or revegetation plan approved by the Town's Natural Resource Department.
A. 
Applicability.
(1) 
The Generic Management Plan covers all existing and newly designated Nature Preserves unless they are already covered by a specific management plan.
(2) 
Specific management plans prepared pursuant to Town Code § 182-15 for individual properties may be adopted by the Town Board at any time and will supersede this plan for those particular parcels.
B. 
Access and parking.
(1) 
Nature Preserves shall be open to the public 365 days a year, from sunrise to sunset, except that individuals legally engaged in small game hunting or fishing may be permitted to do so at such hours as may be permitted under applicable state and/or county laws, rules or regulations. This provision is consistent with East Hampton Town Code for all Town parklands, § 91-21A.
(2) 
For purposes of public safety or health, a Nature Preserve can be temporarily closed to the public in whole or in part for prescribed days and times by Town Board resolution or other procedure determined by the Town Board.
(3) 
Temporary after-hour uses of a preserve for prescribed days and hours for reasons other than those specified in Subsection B(1) of this section is permissible by Town Board resolution or with other requisite Town approval as determined by the Town Board.
(4) 
Roadside parking is allowed unless posted otherwise.
(5) 
The application of this generic management plan shall not prohibit the maintenance, access to, or use of any trail or of any improved or unimproved parking area or road on a Nature Preserve which exists at the time of application of the generic plan. Such parking areas or roads may be altered or removed by resolution of the Town Board or through an action authorized by this chapter.
C. 
Management goals and issues.
(1) 
Nature Preserves shall be posted with a Nature Preserve Signage. These will be installed and maintained by the Land Acquisition and Management Department.
(2) 
The Land Acquisition and Management Department will monitor and manage all Nature Preserves. Any encroachments/violations discovered will be handled by the Department or with the assistance of the Town Attorney, and/or Ordinance Enforcement as necessary.
(3) 
The following actions are permissible under the generic management plan without need for a specific management plan:
(a) 
Trails may be established or modified pursuant to Town Code § 182-17.
(b) 
Structures, improvements, and their remnants which are affixed to the ground or underground may be removed by a Town Board resolution or by determination of the Department of Land Acquisition and Management after notification to the Town Board.
(c) 
Normal maintenance of properties, including but not limited to trail maintenance, grassland management and mowing, removal of debris, removal of invasive species, and removal or installation of fences.
(d) 
Habitat restoration or revegetation activities pursuant to a restoration and/or revegetation plan approved by the Town's Natural Resources Department and Town Board resolution.
D. 
The following activities shall be prohibited in all duly dedicated Nature Preserves subject to the penalties set forth herein:
(1) 
Unauthorized digging and/or artifact recovery;
(2) 
Unauthorized woodcutting, clearing or removal of vegetation not including foraging for personal consumption;
(3) 
Abandonment of pets and other domesticated animals;
(4) 
Littering.
(a) 
No person shall throw or deposit litter, as defined herein, upon any duly dedicated Nature Preserve.
(b) 
A lack of eyewitness testimony shall not bar prosecution under the provisions of § 182-16D(4)(a) of this chapter, and it shall be presumptive evidence, rebuttable by competent evidence, that the identity of the person accused of a violation of these provisions may be established if litter found deposited in violation of these provisions contains substantial evidence of that person's identity.
(5) 
Uncontained fires not in accordance with Town Code Chapter 141, Fire Prevention.
(6) 
Unauthorized vehicular access.
(7) 
Unauthorized storage or abandonment of vehicles of any kind, including boats, kayaks and trailers outside of legal hours of operation as per Town Code Chapter 91.
(8) 
Unauthorized hunting (Town Code Chapter 91, Beaches and Parks).
(9) 
Camping (without Town Board approval).
(10) 
Concessions/catering services/rentals/commercial uses not in accordance with Town Code Chapter 198, Peddling.
(11) 
Placement of memorials, plaques, benches, etc. (except by Town Board resolution).
(12) 
Unauthorized commercial activities.
(13) 
E-bikes/e-motor bikes without pedal assist.
E. 
Permitted uses.
(1) 
Hiking.
(2) 
Bicycling (and assisted pedal e-bikes).
(3) 
Horseback riding.
(4) 
Foraging (nuts, fruits, berries, leaves, shoots, mushrooms) for personal consumption.
(5) 
Authorized hunting, trapping and fishing in accordance with Town Code Chapter 91 and applicable federal, state and county regulations.
(6) 
Picnicking.
(7) 
Carry-in/carry-out of kayaks and small craft.
(8) 
Temporary waterfowl blinds (with permit from Town Clerk or Town Trustees as per Town Code Chapter 246, Waterways and Boats.
(9) 
Temporary tree stands or ground blinds installed one week prior to lawful deer or turkey hunting season and removed no later than one week after lawful deer or turkey hunting season respectively, on properties with allowable hunting (Town Code Chapter 91, Beaches and Parks).
(10) 
Geocaching/placement of geocaches.
(11) 
Activities permitted by the Town's Adopt-A-Preserve program, if applicable.
(12) 
Trail maintenance by approved organizations (e.g. East Hampton Trails Preservation Society).
The Town's Nature Preserves are an important public resource. The establishment, maintenance and cataloging of public access trails are an important component of maximizing the value of this resource to the Town as a whole. To effectuate the goals set forth herein, the following procedures shall govern all trail-related activities on Nature Preserve property.
A. 
Trail establishment.
(1) 
Individuals, organizations, Town committees or departments that are proposing new trails or trail re-routes on Town Nature Preserve properties shall submit a map of the proposed trail together with a narrative describing the location of the trail, its relationship to other established trails on adjacent properties and the proposed use of the trail to the East Hampton Town Nature Preserve Committee, the Planning Department and the Department of Land Acquisition and Management.
(2) 
Within 60 days, written comments will be prepared by the Nature Preserve Committee, or caused to be prepared by the Nature Preserve Committee, including a recommendation for approval or denial of the proposed trail to the Town Board.
(3) 
Upon receipt of written comments, the Town Board may either schedule a work session review of the proposal, or approve the proposed trail or trail re-route by resolution duly adopted.
B. 
Database of trail resources.
(1) 
To further the purposes of this chapter, the Department of Land Acquisition and Management shall assist the Information Technology Department in maintaining a map and database of all duly recognized trails on public and private property. For the purposes of this section, a duly recognized trail shall be a trail that is located on public land, or on private land with the express permission of the landowner, or on private land pursuant to a duly recorded easement of (for trails on subdivision reserved areas) a resolution of the Planning Board. Any trail recognized or recommended in a management plan adopted hereunder shall constitute a duly recognized trail for purposes of this section.
(2) 
The database maintained hereunder shall be updated each time a new trail or trail re-route has been duly approved and installed.
(3) 
The Town Department of Land Acquisition and Management, in conjunction with the Information Technology Department, shall publish an official map of all the East Hampton trails on the Town's website. In addition, the official map shall be made available to the public through the Town Clerk's office for a reasonable fee.
The Department of Acquisition Land Management shall have the following duties or responsibilities under this chapter:
A. 
Maintaining a register listing of all properties that have been dedicated as a Nature Preserve.
B. 
Maintaining copies of all management plans which have been duly adopted by the Town Board for properties designated as Nature Preserves.
C. 
Regularly posting and maintaining Nature Preserve signs and inspecting all properties dedicated as Nature Preserves, such that each such property is thoroughly monitored at least once annually.
D. 
Providing the Nature Preserve Committee with regular reports concerning the activities, actions, monitoring, enforcement, and general condition of Nature Preserve properties.
E. 
Creating and maintaining baseline documents for each property dedicated as a Nature Preserve, and making those documents available on the Town's website.
F. 
Implementing the provisions of approved management plans and enforcing or assisting in the enforcement of provisions contained in any management plans which prohibit certain enumerated activities by members of the public.