Problems In Paradise

A dispute among residents, environmentalists town officials leads to an exodus from the posh Georgica Pond region of East Hampton.

1 minute read

July 6, 2004, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"All told, one in every 10 properties on Georgica Pond's tony East Hampton side (its other side borders the village of Wainscott, N.Y.) is up for sale... Fast-growing, tenacious weeds called phragmites have been choking the pond, potentially obstructing the residents' million-dollar views. Town trustees sided with environmental groups earlier this year and voted to ban the use of herbicides to control the problem... Adding to the neighborhood's environmental woes: Last summer, the 325-acre pond overflowed, leaving some local lawns and basements water-logged. Overnight, someone dug a channel from the pond and, outraging some local residents, drained its swampy water into the local beach."

[Editor's note: The link below is available to non-subscribers for 6 days.]

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, July 5, 2004 in Wall St. Journal

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