Breaches

 

What is a breach?

Breaches are channels connecting ocean to bay which form during powerful storms. Like the shoreline and dunes, breaches are dynamic barrier island features.

Tracking Breach Change

Since the occurrence of the wilderness breach, the National Park Service (NPS) has worked with its partners to monitor the breach, which is a relatively stable but dynamic natural feature.

How are breaches managed?

Three breaches opened during Hurricane Sandy on the barrier islands along Long Island's south shore. Two were closed immediately after the storm.
The NPS conducted a public planning process to decide how best to manage the breach which occurred in Fire Island National Seashore's wilderness.

The Fire Island Wilderness Breach Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement was initiated in 2015 and approved in 2018.