Environmental Groups Urge Suffolk County To Sustain Land Protection Programs

Tuesday morning, President Bob DeLuca urged the Suffolk County Legislature to maintain a strong commitment to the future of land protection funding across the county. DeLuca's attendance was precipitated by recent events that have raised significant concerns about the Legislature's sustaining commitment to its vaunted land protection program.

Joined by other conservation and community leaders from the East End and across Suffolk County, DeLuca pointed out that, as the county's Drinking Water Protection Program goes from an "accelerated borrowing" to a "pay as you go" program, there is an intense and immediate need to set objective environmental priorities and protect the most fragile and important properties from development.

In his testimony, DeLuca pointed to recent acquisition proposals submitted by the Legislature that would direct the county to pursue acquisition of sand mines, parking lots and developed commercial properties. "Such proposals must be reconsidered, with discipline imposed in favor of legitimate land preservation priorities," he said.

DeLuca also pointed out that, even though the changing nature of the land program's funding structure required a careful assessment of priorities, several projects that were nearing the final stages of protection (e.g., the Beagle Club property in Riverhead) must be finalized to maintain public and landowner trust in the program. "The funds to purchase these properties are already accounted for and these acquisitions must be completed,” he urged.

In closing, Deluca reminded the Legislature that East End preservation partnerships had added great value to the county land protection program and urged the Legislature to remember that, "On Eastern Long Island, land protection is an investment in our region's economy and critical environmental infrastructure — not just something that's nice to look at."

Group for the East End has joining with several other conservation and community organizations (e.g., Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, and ) to develop and submit a comprehensive statement (attached) to the Legislature that details the value and need for a strong and sustaining commitment to land protection across the County.