East Hampton Town Beach Driving Guide

Local, State, and Federal Laws that Protect Endangered Species 

The Town of East Hampton prohibits the disturbance, or endangerment, of any protected bird nesting area on the beach. No person shall alter, move, remove, or tamper with any fence, rope, or flagging that designate nesting areas. 

Nor should anyone permit a horse, dog, cat, or other animal to be in or upon a bird nesting area. New York State law protects all endangered species, including the common, least, and roseate terns, piping plovers, and endangered plants from any disturbance. In additions, sections of this law prohibits defacing or removing wildlife signs. Penalties can be fines up to $250. 

The United States Migratory Bird Act of 1918 protects ALL colonial water-birds and shorebirds. Te Endangered Species Act also protects the piping plover and roseate tern. Federal listing provides added protection from a taking. The term “take” means to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct. Regardless of whether the act was accidental or intentional, fines can be up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment. This law can even be applied to pets that “take” endangered species. This protection also includes federally listed plants such as the sea beach amaranth which grows on our ocean beaches. 

IF YOU WITNESS SOMEONE BREAKING THE LAW OR SEE EVIDENCE THAT A LAW HAS BEEN BROKEN, IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE TOWN POLICE AT 631-537-7575. THEY WILL NOTIFY THE OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED. TREAT THE SITUATION AS A CRIME SCENE, TAKING CARE NOT TO DISTURB THE AREA OR THE BIRDS. 

WHEN YOU BREAK THE LAW: 

• You are subject to the following penalties:
• First Offense – $100 to $250 fine and/or imprisonment for 15 days.
• First Offense – $250 to $500 fine and/or imprisonment for 15 days.
• First Offense – $400 to $1000 fine and/or imprisonment for 15 days. 
• Federal penalties – can be up to $50,000 and jail time (see page 8) 
• If you break any beach driving laws in a protected nesting area, you are subject to a fine of not less than $250, and as much as $1000, and/ or imprisonment