The National Park Service is recommending that the Fire Island breach caused by Sandy four years ago remain open.

The breach connects the ocean and the Bellport Bay.

Federal officials have concluded that if anything, the breach has improved the water quality of the bay and has not resulted in additional flooding on the South Shore.

"Based on the studies we've done over the past four years and on data we have before Sandy and the breach, we have seen no significant increases in water levels in this area," says Kaetlyn Jackson, of Fire Island National Seashore.

There have been complaints of abnormal flooding on streets in Patchogue and East Patchogue. Fishermen in the area, however, have noticed an uptick in fish caught in Bellport Bay.

The federal plan does call for monitoring the breach and closing it if starts causing adverse effects. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Nov. 7.