Conference moira::naturism

305.0. "Sandy Hook status" by MOIRA::FAIMAN (light upon the figured leaf) Wed Apr 10 1991 13:34

Over the last few months there had been reports, apparently based on leaked
memos, about "Operation Shorebird".  This was a proposal by a Sandy Hook
administrator for various strategies for dealing with the "problem" of
nudity.  Since there were no laws or regulations prohibiting it, he
proposed a variety of strategems for harrassment and suppression 
(including the notorious piping plover solution).  Details were
reported in N&N 10.2.

The following article is from the latest N&N (10.3 - Winter 90/91).  I expect
there will be more information when the next issue comes out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

			Sandy Hook is "Safe"
			- Kevin Kearney

	For once we got ahead of the curve and we saved a beach that was in
	imminent danger.

	Sandy Hook was being set up for a close-down.  They were setting a 
	trap; we sprung it harmlessly.

	The superintendent from Sandy Hook is going West soon, they call it
	a lateral transfer in the Park Service.  We call it good riddance.

	Among other rumors and facts that should concern us all is the
	retirement of the "nudist-friendly" Superintendent for the Fire
	Island National Seashore.  Lighthouse Beach is a popular naturist
	area adjacent to Robert Moses State Park on the Atlantic ocean side 
	of Long Island.  A beautiful beach that attracts 1000's every summer
	weekend.  However, the Feds in this case have chosen not to enforce 
	the New York State Law that prohibits mere nudity -- this was at the
	discretion of the Superintendent -- and he's retiring.  You can be
	sure that as the selection process proceeds within the regional and 
	National Park Service headquarters, we will be in there pitching for 
	a "nudist friendly" choice.

	We are scheduling meetings in January [1991] with the Northeast 
	Region of the Park Service to discuss the Fire Island appointment
	as well as the issue of the new Cape Cod plan under development.
	We will also be visiting with the new Gateway National Recreation
	Area Superintendent, "a nudist-friendly" guy according to head-
	quarters, to discuss the replacement of the Sandy Hook Superintendent
	as well as management efforts that should be focused upon by the
	Park Service towards applying more human services on the nude beach
	at Sandy Hook.

	While we have denials from the National Park Service relative to
	any intentions to close Sandy Hook, we are still twisting in the 
	wind as concerns the proposed New Jersey State Park Regulation 
	that would prohibit nudity within State Parks.  Hundreds of letters
	were sent to Trenton relative to the proposed new rule.  A coordinated
	mailing reaching 5000 naturists within the States near New Jersey
	was assisted through the help of all the organized clubs in those
	states.

	You folks are great -- the letters that reached the National Park
	Service on this issue were the nice type of thoughtful letters that
	go a long way to making us real to these bureaucrats.  It makes my
	work easier -- friendlier and better for us all -- they do make a
	difference.

	Anyhow, we have to "wait" for the New Jersey Commissioner of 
	Environmental Protection to make a decision.  There are no more
	public channels to influence this decision, but we are trying to
	meet with the Commissioner to press our case one last time and 
	try to find an acceptable compromise.  The Commissioner is under
	no obligation to meet with us or to explain why a particular
	decision is made -- we can be ignored, but for the moment we are
	still banging on the door.  If this works out it will have been
	your letters that put it over the top.

Not to derail the subject, but what is the "Cape Cod Plan" mentioned in the 
base note?

ed

    Visited Sandy Hook today - for thefirst time ever.  I was really
    impressed with it, one of the nice things was that you don't have to
    walk 2 or 3 miles on the beach to get to it.  Also, there is apparently
    a new concession stand run by a nice fellow RIGHT in the middle of the
    nudist section.  He said he just got the permit for this season.  Also,
    a nice mix of people.
    
    The one thing I thought was ridiculous was the fact that when you first
    get on the beach from the path, straight ahead there is a lifeguard
    stand.  There must have been 10 people at the most in this section, as
    it was textile.  Then, to the right were hundreds of people, but since
    they were nudists, there were no lifeguards.  Even signs posted saying
    it was an "unprotected section of beach"  It just shows the silly
    attitude of the beaurocracy,  Saying  it's O.K. to have a nude section
    of beach, but we won't protect the swimmers, because of some stupid
    reason.
    
    Jeff

Hi,

I'm interested in making a trip to Sandy Hook the few days after labor day
weekend.  Can anyone whose been there recently give me any more details?

Thanks
Tim