In the News
Going Backward
Southampton Press
Letter to the Editor
Jun 2, 2025
As a Southampton Town Trustee and a marine biologist, I believe lifting the 20-year ban on CCA-treated wood in our local waters would be a step in the wrong direction.
The Trustees recently have been entertaining discussions about reconsidering a reversal on the ban, which would be a mistake [“Southampton Trustees Question Whether Ban on Treated Wood Is Right Approach,” 27east.com, May 21].
CCA wood is infused with chromium, copper and arsenic, a pesticide cocktail that is both highly toxic and shown to be a carcinogen. It leaches into the water and accumulates in shellfish and sediment.
That’s not speculation. That’s why Southampton, East Hampton, Southold, Riverhead and Shelter Island restricted it in the first place. We did so to protect our bays, our marine ecosystems and the health of our community. In fact, you can’t buy CCA-treated lumber for residential use because of how toxic it is.
When marine life steadily eats away at CCA-treated wood, new layers are exposed and fresh toxins are released. We’ve seen what happens when we ignore that reality: polluted creeks, declining shellfish beds and irreversible damage to our wetlands.
But why is this policy that was passed by the Southampton Trustees in 2004, and upheld by every board since, being questioned now? It’s not to protect the rainforests, as lifting this ban would have zero effect there.
It’s about cost. CCA-treated lumber may be less expensive than the alternatives for the owner, but the environmental impact of the degradation of our bays is passed on to us all.
We live in a region where clean water isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s an economic and cultural one. Our fisheries, our recreation, our very way of life depend on us keeping our bays clean and healthy. That means holding the line when it comes to proven environmental protections, even when doing so is slightly more inconvenient. Besides, there are already alternatives in use that don’t use tropical hardwoods.
We should be pushing forward, seeking more sustainable solutions, advancing the science and protecting our waters for future generations. Reintroducing arsenic-treated wood into our ecosystems is not progress. It’s going backward.
Matt Parsons
Southampton Town Trustee
Read more at 27east.com
In the News Cont....
Jan 3 2024
Southampton Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer swears in Southampton Town Trustees...
Jan 10 2024
Parsons said, "— there’s space for me to become an effective trustee."
Nov 8 2023
ELECTED: Parsons had the third-most reported votes, at 6,924, or 10.49 percent.
Nov 2 2023
Parsons speaks "the language of the bay and the ocean because it is home to me,"
Nov 1 2023
“We could be doing so much more for the bays — there’s so much opportunity that we’re missing,”
October 17, 2023
Letter of Support @ 27east:
Hit the Jackpot
Matt is running for Southampton Town Trustee. Of course, all the candidates want better water quality and better economic viability of our bays.
But having had an up close and personal experience with Matt’s character, work ethic, professional life and passion for the bays, I would like to tell you what makes Matt perfect for this position. He’s never been one to brag about himself, so I am going to do it for him...
September 12, 2023
LTE @ 27east:
Water Quality Matters
As a resident of East Quogue, I have enjoyed the hard work the Southampton Town Trustees have done managing our waterways and beach access...
Now, I would like to use my expertise and experience as a marine biologist and a bayman to help ensure that the Trustees can continue to improve Southampton residents’ lives regarding beach access, water access and habitat management...
June 19, 2023
LTE @ 27east:
Productive Bays
My name is Matt Parsons, and I want to declare that I am strongly pro-shellfish and am running for Southampton Town Trustee.
If given the opportunity to serve you, I will use my marine biology background, experience as a commercial bayman and previous work as a conservationist to bring back the health and productivity of our bays for our future generations to enjoy...Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Committed to Stewardship
Even in his professional life, Matt Parsons has demonstrated a commitment to being a steward of our natural resources through his work in maintaining healthy and thriving aquariums. In an article featuring Matt and his business in The Southampton Press from July 31, 2016, he worried about the interest in blue tangs, also known as palette surgeonfish, following the release of Disney's film "Finding Dory." Blue tangs are unsuitable for inexperienced aquarium owners. ...Continue reading
June 6, 2023
Announcing Candidacy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Matt Parsons Announces Candidacy for Southampton Town Trustee, Pledges to Restore the Productivity of Our Bays
Southampton, NY –June 6, 2023 - Today, Matt Parsons of East Quogue, proudly declares his candidacy for Southampton Town Trustee, focusing on revitalizing the town's bays and preserving their natural resources. ...Continue reading
