For Sal: Info on saving Almost Paradise.

This was sent to us by Steve Burke (steveburke@bigfoot.com) of the
Long Island Divers Association (http://LIDAonline.com/)
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Through a combined effort of several Long Island Divers Association
(LIDA) members, we have drafted a letter to Helen Marshall, Queens
County Borough President, with respect to the possible imminent loss
of scuba access to Beach 9th Street in Far Rockaway. As you probably
know, it appears that the property is being purchased by or on behalf
of developers who may be trying to eliminate or restrict access to
scuba divers. Beach 9th Street is unique, singular, and must be
preserved for diving in my opinion and that of many others.

The time to act it NOW. I have "pasted" a copy of a proposed letter
for you to consider. The BEST thing would be for you to compose and
write your own letter. However, if you wish, use and sign this one or
use it as a "model". Whatever you choose, PLEASE make sure to
personally sign the letter and give your address. Please sent this
letter or your own letter or modification to any other persons you
feel may be helpful, including your own local representatives, even if
not New York City based. All representatives need each others help in
varying projects, so all can be helpful. I have suggested Ms.
Marshall as being a person for all to write to initially as she has
already been helpful and seems sympathetic to the rights of divers at
this site.

PLEASE don't just let this pass by. Forward the information on to all
divers on your e-mail lists and to anyone else you know who may help
and write a letter or pass this one on. If Beach 9th is lost now, it
will never be replaced.

PLEASE ACT NOW and pass this along to all.

Many thanks
Steve Burke

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++

Hon Helen Marshall
Borough President, County of Queens
120-55 Queens Boulevard
Kew Gardens, New York 11424

March 2004

Dear Ms. Marshall,


I am writing to you out of deep concern for the future of one of our
City's most overlooked natural resources. Scuba diving access at the
Almost Paradise shore diving site on Beach 9th Street in Far Rockaway,
Queens is faced with extinction. This threat must be halted and I
seek your help before the destruction begins.

For over 40 years, this small strip of beach has been the ONLY
reasonably accessible shore-based scuba diving site available in the
entire City. Its unique topography and underwater community can be
demonstr
ated to the non-scuba diver by the thousands of photographs
taken every year at this site, or by simply speaking with anyone who
dives this natural treasure at Beach 9th Street. It is an incredibly
beautiful, accessible, and safe scuba diving site, unique to the City
and probably the entire Northeast coast.

This one-of-a-kind site serves as a natural training and recreational
area for thousands of New Yorkers. Scuba divers of all levels of
experience, including instructors and their students, certified
recreational divers, rescue divers from both the public and private
sectors, oceanography students, biologists, and professional and
amateur underwater photographers have utilized Beach 9th Street for
decades. The loss of this access would, in reality mean the loss of
recreational scuba diving to the City of New York.

The potential for habitat destruction due to unrestricted development
in this most unique area would be devastating. Hundreds of underwater
species dwell in and breed at this site. The unique underwater
topography, tides, currents and bottom habitat all combine to make
this one of a kind natural treasure. Access to Beach 9th Street must
be preserved. As a representative of the people, you have a
responsibility to halt this potential devastation before it begins.
Once Beach 9th Street is compromised or lost, it can never be
replaced. Responsible development, which preserves scuba access and
the underwater habitat, is possible with proper planning. However,
loss of this natural resource to the people of the City by poor
planning or lack of preservation of scuba diving access and protection
of the underwater environment cannot be permitted. I urge you to do
all you can to protect this small, unique and irreplaceable section of
our City. It is your obligation to do all that is possible to prevent
this destructive tragedy from happening.

Thank you for your anticipated prompt and effective action.

Very truly yours,



CC. Hon. Michael Bloomberg
Mayor, City of New York
City Hall
New York, New York 10007

Tao te Carl
"It takes a village to have an idiot." - Carl (c) 2003

(Kudos to Cap'n Jim Wyatt for this link) BEFORE you ask a dumb-ass question
here...http://www.speakeasy.org/~neilco/bart.gif