Fire Island highway plan failed; 17 communities remain inside national seashore

The fierce nor’easter of 1962 became a pivotal moment for Robert Moses as he sought to introduce a highway on Fire Island. Yet, the local populace and property owners stood firm against the initiative, worried for their environment and community’s future. Their activism prompted valuable support from the federal government, leading to the creation of Fire Island National Seashore in 1964, which has preserved the island’s unspoiled setting.