COCKENOE ISLAND  

30A-1. Purpose.

This chapter is hereby adopted by the Representative Town Meeting of the Town of Westport in order to protect Cockenoe Island from accelerated erosion and loss or deterioration of its fragile natural resources and to preserve the Island for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations.

30A-2. Legislative intent.

Recognizing that Cockenoe Island is a valuable recreational resource for the residents of the Town of Westport and users of Long Island Sound, that the Island is a fragile natural resource subject to rapid deterioration if overused or abused and that the Island has been acquired by the Town for the public use and enjoyment of all citizens of the state, therefore, the Representative Town Meeting has determined that use of the Island shall be only in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable laws, ordinances and regulations promulgated by the Town of Westport and the State of Connecticut.

30A-3. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:

Campsite-a designated place on the Island where camping is allowed at such time and in the manner prescribed by a camping permit and the provisions of this chapter.

Caretaker-A person(s) designated by the Conservation Commission to perform certain specified duties on the Island.

Cockenoe Island -Includes all of the parcel of land owned by the Town of Westport and known as Cockenoe Island, located in Long Island Sound approximately one (1) mile south of Seymour Point and the Saugatuck River, and consisting of approximately twenty-seven (27) acres, including a sand spit at the western end of the Island which is normally separated from the main portion of the Island during high tides.

Island-Cockenoe Island.

Town-The Town of Westport, Connecticut. 

30A-4. Restricted and prohibited activities.

A. Restricted activities.

(1) All rules and regulations shall be observed by all Island users.

(2) No pitching of tents or overnight camping or sleeping will be permitted on the Island except in designated camping areas by persons who have obtained a camping permit.

(3) Open fires shall be permitted in designated camping areas only. Portable grills are permitted on beaches and designated camping areas only. No fire shall be left unattended or unextinguished.

(4) Quiet shall be observed between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

(5) Access to the Island is restricted to those locations marked for access.

(6) All Cockenoe Island campers must provide their own portable latrines.

B. Prohibited activities.

(1) Littering is prohibited. All debris should be removed from the Island and disposed of in a proper manner.

(2) Glass bottles and glass containers are prohibited on the Island.

(3) The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on the Island from October 15 to May 15 is prohibited.

(4) Beer kegs or other containers of beer in excess of one (1) liter are prohibited.

(5) Cutting of trees or other woody vegetation from the Island for firewood or any other purpose is prohibited. Cutting, trampling or otherwise damaging dune grasses or other vegetation on the Island is prohibited. Campers and visitors are not allowed in prohibited areas as indicated by posted signs or fences. Such areas include but are not limited to: fragile natural areas, areas subject to excessive erosion, areas being restored or wildlife preserve areas.

(6) No person(s) shall disturb any species of wildlife on the Island. Feeding of wildlife, including waterfowl, is prohibited. 

(7) No vessel shall land on the Island except in designated areas, except under emergency situations.

30A-5. Dogs and other pets.

A. Prohibited areas for dogs and other pets Pets, including but not limited to dogs, are not allowed on the dunes, sand spit, tidal wetlands, bluffs, in the bird sanctuary or on other restricted areas of the Island.

B. Campsite Areas Pets are allowed in reserved campsite areas only if they are restrained by tying, caging, or kept on a leash.

C. Other Areas Pets are allowed on other areas of the Island only if they are kept on a leash and are under control of their owners and/or keepers at all times.

D. At no time shall any dog or other pet be allowed to:

(1) Run loose on the Island.

(2) Chase, injure or otherwise disturb any bird(s) or other species of wildlife.

(3) Dig up or mutilate vegetation.

(4) Deface or destroy any Town property on the Island.

(5) Bother any other Island users.

E. Pet owners and/or keepers are required to remove pet feces from the Island and to dispose of same in the proper manner.

30A-6. Camping and special permits.

A. Camping permits.

1. Camping on the Island is permitted only in authorized and designated campsites.

2. Occupancy of each campsite is limited to no more than five (5) persons and two (2) tents.  

3. Any person wishing to camp on the Island between May 15 and October 15 of any year must receive a camping permit from the Conservation Department.

4. Camping permits may be issued for a period of up to seven (7) days. A period of fourteen (14) days must pass before a permit may be reissued to the same individual or group. The Conservation Department shall have the ability to waive the fourteen (14) day period on a space-available basis.

5. Any reserved campsite not occupied by 9 p.m. shall be forfeited for that night. Any reserved campsite not occupied by 1 p.m. of the second day reserved shall be forfeited for the remainder of the reservation and made available to other campers upon issuance of a camping permit by the Conservation Department.

6. All camping permits shall be issued subject to compliance with the provisions of this chapter and such other conditions as may be established by the Conservation Commission.

7. The fee for camping permits shall be established by the Conservation Commission, but shall not be less than ten dollars ($10) per campsite per night.

A. Special permits. Special Permits may be issued by the Conservation Director, or his or her designee, for special events or unusual circumstances upon such conditions as the Conservation Director, or his or her designee, shall determine. Such conditions may include appropriate insurance coverage or maintenance deposit. Unusual circumstances or special events shall include, but shall not be limited to, events involving more than fifteen (15) people and camping and other outings scheduled beyond October 15. A fee of up to $100 shall be charged as well as a separate deposit of up to $500, to be determined by the Conservation Director, or his or her designee, to cover the cost of clean-up. Said deposit shall be returned once an inspection by the Conservation Department is conducted to determine that sufficient clean up by the permittee has occurred.

30A-7. Violations and penalties.

A. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not more than ninety dollars ($90) for each violation.

B. For any violation of the conditions of a camping permit issued pursuant to this chapter, the permit may be revoked and, at the discretion of the Conservation Department, may not be reissued for subsequent periods.

C. Any person who attempts to camp on the Island when a camping permit has been revoked shall be subject to a fine of not more than ninety dollars ($90) for each violation.

D. Each day of a continuing violation shall be deemed a separate offense for the purpose of this chapter.

30A-8. Caretaker.

A. The Conservation Commission may designate a Caretaker(s) for the Island, as required.

B. The Conservation Department shall coordinate the activities of volunteers assisting in Island maintenance, educate Island users in Island regulations and procedures, issue and check camping permits, report possible violations and violators of this chapter and potentially hazardous situations or conditions to the proper police authority. The Caretaker, if appointed, shall assist with these duties.

C. In return for performing the above duties, the Caretaker(s) if any, shall be provided with a free campsite by special permit from May 15 to October 15 of each year. The Caretaker(s) may also be provided with a two-way radio or portable two-way radio and such other devices as the Conservation Commission may deem appropriate.