Group for the East End Benefit Set for June 8

Group for the East End will celebrate 52 years of protecting the East End environment at its “Margaritaville” benefit on Saturday, June 8, at 6 p.m. at The Bridge in Bridgehampton. The proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will be used to kick off a campaign to clean up the East End’s bays, harbors, and drinking water. After the approval of the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act amendments by the New York State Legislature in the weeks ahead, the Group will immediately embark on a six-month advocacy campaign urging Suffolk County voters to support the largest clean water ballot proposition in decades this November. If passed on Election Day, the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act is expected to generate $4 billion over 35 years for clean water infrastructure throughout Suffolk County.

“Every successful and resilient civilization must have clean water to survive,” noted Group for the East End president Bob DeLuca in a press release. “Unfortunately, here on Long Island, the collective impact of our own sewage is now threatening the region’s bays, harbors, and drinking water.”

For more than 10 years, The Group, working with a broad coalition of clean water advocates, has been pressing Suffolk County officials to develop and implement a comprehensive wastewater strategy that includes public support for the installation of innovative, nitrogen-reducing septic systems, which are critically necessary to restoring our water quality, and the creation of a stable and recurring revenue source to fund the program over time.

“Fortunately, the solutions we need to properly manage our sewage and restore our water quality for the future are now well understood, and the technology to do the job is readily available,” said DeLuca. “The time is right to get to work and provide sustaining support for everyone who enjoys our Long Island way of life. This year, voters will finally have the opportunity to support the most ambitious plan for cleaning up our local waters in more than five decades, and it is our job to raise awareness and urge voters to cast their vote in favor of a clean water future.”

On Election Day, voters will decide on an eighth-of-a-penny increase in the county sales tax to pay for an improved infrastructure, including direct support for the replacement of their own outdated or failing septic systems, that will dramatically reduce nitrogen pollution.

The annual gala, hosted by Stéphane Samuel and Robert M. Rubin, of The Bridge will feature a tequila tasting bar and cocktails by Pantalones Tequila, a Champagne cart from South Flagler House with natural and biodynamic wines, beer from Top Hops’ Half Pint truck, lawn games, a paddle auction led by CK Swett, dinner, dancing, and casino games, and a great view.

For more information, go to thegroup.org or call 631-765-6450.