The NFEC was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Howard Meinke last night. Former Board member and president of the NFEC, Howard was a strong and passionate individual. He spoke often of his early memories of the North Fork, especially the Peconic Bay, and how it has changed over the years. He was determined to do all he could to help clean our waters, resurrect our finfish and shellfish stocks, and rid the bay of brown and red tides so that others could experience all of the beauty and wonders as he did in his younger days.

In the past few years, Howard would contact the NFEC offices several times a month wanting to know if the Suffolk County Health Dept and the Town of Southold had made any progress, taken any measurable steps to solve the septic system problem and reduce nitrogen levels in our ground and surface waters. He was driven to see progress on this front in his lifetime.

He wrote often to the local papers on issues he cared about. You may not have always agreed with his viewpoint but 1) you couldn’t help but admire his passion, and 2) his letters also generated further thought and discussion, something we have too little of on many issues these days. And it was fitting that in his last letter this past Thursday, Howard spoke out against the proposed Heritage project in Cutchogue, citing grave concerns over water quality and traffic issues. As usual, he was on point and, as usual, his passion and perspective caused mainly people to talk about this project, pro or con.

We lost Paul Stoutenburgh earlier this year. Now we have lost Howard Meinke. We have lost two passionate voices on the North Fork who cared about the environment and our way of life. Who will step up to fill their shoes? Who will speak out loudly and often about what we’re doing wrong and what we need to change? We need those people.

But most of all, we have a lost a good environmentalist, a good activist and a good friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Howard’s friends and family. Let’s not forget the lessons he taught us, the experiences he shared and the passion he exhibited about the North Fork.

NORTH FORK VIEWS — Autumn 2014

Take a moment to look at this issue of Snapshots and get a better feel of the big picture of some of the issues facing the North Fork.

Some of the items covered include:

• East Hampton Helicopter meeting
• The latest EPCAL plan
• The LI Clean Water Bill
• The East End deer issue
• A fossil-fuel electric plant at EPCAL?
• NFEC Chili Night, Friday, Oct 24
• NFEC to honor retiring LIFB Exec. Dir. Joe Gergela
• The County and the Drinking Water Protection Plan
• 10×10=100 Art Show and Sale
• Plastic Bag Ban

We’ve attended many day, evening and weekend meetings in Riverhead, Southold and across Long Island over the past few months for you. Now catch up on the issues.

Click the following link for the latest edition of North Fork Views — Snapshots.

Snapshots: Autumn 2014

Today, we mourn the passing of private citizen, teacher, activist, co-founder and past president of the North Fork Environmental Council, a long-time Suffolk Times columnist and devoted family man, Paul Stoutenburgh.

Over the decades, Paul’s voice, his written words and his actions, and those of his wife, children and grandchildren have helped to shape, share and protect what makes the North Fork so special and precious. He let us see and feel the special beauty of what we have here on the North Fork through not only his eyes but his heart. He helped us see what he saw, hear what he heard and revel in the beauty and wonder of nature he so loved.

Paul Stoutenburgh was a special man who played an important role in our community for many years. He will be missed but the man and the lessons he taught us will not be forgotten.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

The NFEC Board of Directors

The NFEC Gives a Snapshot View of the Water Issues Facing Long Island

Take a moment to look at this Guide to Water Basics and get a better understanding of what’s happening right under our feet and all around us.

It’s important, it’s timely and it’s all about the facts.

Snapshots: Your NFEC Guide to Water Basics