Eagles win: fireworks show at Lake Ronkonkoma cancelled

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter declines signing off on a permit for the ‘Salute to Our Fallen’ event, citing the town’s ban on motorboats at the lake

Lake Ronkonkoma’s bald eagles can sleep soundly this Saturday night.

A planned fireworks show at the lake has been cancelled after town officials refused to issue a permit — and animal advocates who spent weeks raising hell about it are calling it a victory for wildlife, including the American bald eagles who nest along the lake.

The “Salute to Our Fallen” celebration, organized by Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin and presented by the LT Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum and Fireworks by Grucci, had been scheduled for this Saturday. Organizers announced the cancellation on Tuesday.

Islip said it never issued — and could not issue — a final permit for the event.

The sticking point: Islip Town Code 837-58(B) prohibits motorboats and propeller-driven vessels on Lake Ronkonkoma.

Launching the fireworks required placing a barge at a designated location on the lake, an operation that can’t be completed without a motorboat.

Event organizers also approached the Town of Brookhaven — which shares jurisdiction over portions of the lake — seeking sign-off to proceed from that side, but Brookhaven also declined, according to a town source.

In her cancellation notice, Bergin said organizers exhausted all available options before pulling the plug.

“This difficult decision was made after exhausting all available options to move forward with the event,” the notice read. “The ‘Salute to Our Fallen’ celebration was intended to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, and organizers are deeply disappointed that the community will not be able to gather for this year’s tribute.”

“We thank Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter for making the compassionate and responsible decision to deny the permit and protect bald eagles, other wildlife, companion animals, our drinking water, and the integrity of Memorial Day,” Di Leonardo said. “At a time when America’s national bird is actively nesting along the lake, this decision helps safeguard vulnerable wildlife from the terror, disorientation, stress, and potential injuries fireworks can cause during baby season.”

Di Leonardo credited a broad coalition for the outcome, including residents, veterans, environmental organizations, and thousands who signed petitions and contacted officials.

“We proved that our community values compassion, conservation, and responsible stewardship over unnecessary spectacle,” Di Leonardo said. “Lake Ronkonkoma’s eagles — and countless other animals — are safer tonight because people took action.”

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