[user33139]

Sad day for all Lighthouse Beach fans and food for thought for all Gunnison Beach fans. Could very easily happen to Gunnison too ..

The NPS issued a new Directive yesterday 2/5/2013. ..

February 5, 2013
To Whom it May Concern:
Effective immediately, state nudity laws will be enforced at Fire Island National Seashore.
While state laws apply throughout the Seashore, the park will focus its public education and
enforcement efforts of the existing New York State law at the following federally-owned
areas:
o Lighthouse beach, from the western boundary of the park to the western
boundary of Kismet.
o The Sailors Haven tract, from Point O’ Woods to Cherry Grove.
o One half mile on either side of the Barrett Beach lifeguard stand.
o One mile on either side of the Watch Hill lifeguard stand.
o From the Wilderness Visitor Center to the breach at Old Inlet
Public nudity has been prohibited in the State of New York since 1984 under New York State
Penal Code 245.01. Fire Island National Seashore shares concurrent jurisdiction with the
State of New York, which means that state laws can be enforced on federal lands by federal,
state, and local law enforcement officers. Although the National Park Service (NPS) is
focusing its enforcement on the identified areas, the law still applies park-wide, and may be
enforced throughout the park. NPS policies favor consistent enforcement of state laws on
federal lands, and disfavor the designation of clothing optional areas. Public nudity on Fire
Island has resulted in conflicts of use, despite past park management efforts to accommodate
clothing optional recreation. On Lighthouse beach in particular, the dense visitation invited
by the previously-designated “clothing optional beach” presented not only a visitor use
conflict, but created a public safety hazard due to the lack of adequate facilities for trash and
human waste, in addition to the heavy recreation on a non-lifeguarded beach. Additionally,
Hurricane Sandy leveled the dunes in this area, which increases the visibility of the beach
from other public use areas. The sandy overwash areas left by the storm created added habitat
for sensitive species in the area. Finally, park employees have observed an increase in
criminal activity in the designated clothing-optional areas, but have been unable to
appropriately manage this activity despite significant attempts at education and enforcement.
Violation of this law is a class B federal misdemeanor, and can result in fines of up to $5,000
and up to six months imprisonment.