The league, which represents most of the state's 566 municipalities as well as homeowner groups, is lobbying for two bills.

There are accusations that the letter is just the most obvious part of a wider conspiracy that includes bogus homeowner groups and even a death threat.

Cynthia Mailman, president of a local homeowner group called the Mud Lane Society, bluntly dismissed such notions.

"The toilets back up in the downstairs unit," said Ron Davis, the head of one of four homeowner groups.

Daniel Fitzpatrick, another member of the homeowner group, called the land gift "a victory for the homeowners who border the property and a victory for the environment."

"The people here are very protective of Fire Island," said Mr. Pachta, who in his four months here has been meeting with local government officials and homeowner groups.

As predictably as the seasons, storms and erosion cause beaches to crumble, and towns, villages and homeowner groups seek ways to keep nature subdued.

Mixed feelings toward homeowner groups can be fairly typical.

In 1985, local residents formed a coalition of homeowner groups opposing the project.

An added wrinkle limits the increase for the homeowner group to 6 percent annually and 20 percent in five years.