Calverton motocross track plan needs full environmental review, Riverhead officials say

The owners of a proposed motocross track in the pine barrens in Calverton must conduct a full environmental review of the project, which has drawn criticism from neighbors over potential noise and what they fear are threats to groundwater from planned excavation.

Daniel Duffy, who operated 10th Street Motocross in Ronkonkoma for nearly two decades before his lease ended in 2022, first pitched plans for a racetrack on River Road in Calverton in 2023. His plan was delayed by a Calverton building moratorium that expired last October.

Duffy is seeking a special permit from the Riverhead Town Board for the racetrack, which would host daily riding, lessons and racing events at the 15-acre site. Plans call for excavating 120,000 cubic yards of sand and soil to build the track in a “bowl” style, which Duffy said would help mitigate noise.

The board voted 5-0 on Oct. 21 to issue a “positive declaration,” which acknowledges that the project could have adverse environmental impacts and triggers a more comprehensive review process under state law.

Duffy, 64, said Long Island lacks venues to ride dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles, often forcing people to travel upstate or out of state to practice the sport.

“It’s a passion. There’s nothing like the adrenaline rush of being on the starting line of a motocross race,” he said in an interview. “There are no legal, safe places to ride.”

Building a partially sunken track would reduce audible and visual impacts, he said.

Duffy said other sound mitigation measures, including berms, would soften the blow for neighbors but acknowledged that races could be noisy.

“You have 30, 40 bikes lined up and the gate drops and they all take off at the same time,” he said, adding the track would be laid out to funnel noise away from neighbors. “We positioned the [starting line] completely away from the public. It’s pointed toward the Grumman site and the solar field.” 

Supporters weigh in 

Duffy’s pending application set off a campaign from dozens of motocross enthusiasts across Long Island who wrote to the town board about the lack of safe and legal spaces to ride, and tourism benefits the track could bring to Riverhead.

Matt Ranum, of Wainscott, grew up riding dirt bikes, a tradition he's passing on to his 7-year-old son. Ranum, 41, said a sanctioned track would cut down on illegal riding.

“Otherwise, you’re riding around here in the trails and DEC [state Department of Environmental Conservation] is out to get you …neighbors, they don’t like it,” he said in an interview.

Ranum said teaching his son to ride includes important skills like hand-eye coordination, reaction time and staying present.

“It’s just me and him, and we cruise,” he said. “It’s such a challenge now — they just want to be on Roblox or YouTube. It’s so great to spend that time and not have any technology near us.”

Neighbors air concerns

Neighbors have voiced concerns about noise and impacts to groundwater because of the proposed excavation.

“Your home should be your safe haven,” said Trisha Yakaboski, who lives across the street from the proposed track and has run a home day care for nearly 25 years.

Yakaboski, 47, worries the noise will disrupt her kids from homework, naps and playtime.

“There are some kids, you can open up the refrigerator door and they wake up from their nap,” she said.

Craig Dahlgren, who also lives nearby, said the noise will be “inescapable” and thwart plans for outdoor activities.

Dahlgren and Yakaboski also share concerns about excavation posing a threat to their water quality, since homes in their neighborhood use private wells.

“You want to take out 120,000 yards of sand that filters my drinking water,” Yakaboski said, calling the project a “sand grab.”

Dahlgren, 42, said Duffy should be required to get a state DEC mining permit, which would set parameters for reclamation.

“A dirt bike track is probably not forever,” he said. “We’re going to be left with a big, giant hole in the ground.”

Officials at the DEC said they have not yet determined whether Duffy needs to apply for a permit. Some activities, including excavation “conducted solely in aid of on-site construction,” are exempt from permitting, according to the DEC website.

Duffy said he plans to sell the excavated sand, which is valued at $1.2 million. It would also generate $360,000 for the Town of Riverhead, which is owed about $3 per yard of excavated material.

“We get money to help pay for the $3.5 million property … and the noise is mitigated,” Duffy said, adding that he would agree to a performance bond set by the town.

The project also would need a waiver from the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning & Policy Commission because the property is within its compatible growth area, which allows limited development.

Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard said the environmental review process will include several forums for public comment.

“I’m aware there’s a need for places for people to ride. Land is limited,” Hubbard said. “But you’ve got to weigh that against the residents and the location. You’ve got to look at everything involved before you make a decision.”