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Suffolk County Authorizes Land Acquisition and Protection

Ralph C Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Suffolk County officials yesterday approved the acquisition of land near Beaverdam Creek under the Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program. The decision, signed by Legislator Jay Schneiderman, County Executive Steve Bellone and Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Thorne-Holst, authorizes the partnership of town and county in the purchase of almost 30 acres of land. The town will front 50% of the cost, and the other 50% will be paid for by Suffolk County. This land will be preserved against construction.

Schneiderman explains the ecological importance of the land which will be protected. The creek is a tributary that flows into the Great South Bay. “This property, which is comprised of pristine meadow lands, woodlands and wetlands, will provide important wildlife habitat and protection of the surface waters of Beaverdam Creek.” The efforts to protect the creek will not only benefit wildlife, but will also protect the quality of the drinking water for Suffolk’s residents.

This is not the first acquisition of land in the Beaverdam Creek Watershed. Previously, the town and county purchased a nearby area. The latest acquisition is an outgrowth of that original project to protect the watershed. “This parcel has been at the top of the Town’s priority acquisition list for several years,” states Supervisor Throne-Holst, “and now it will be protected in perpetuity.”

The 29.2 acre space actually consists of two different lots. The main lot is 28 acres, while the other small lot across the Montauk Highwayis 1.2 acres. The space is not uninterrupted. A couple of small lots have been cut out of the agreement and will be used for other purposes. 3 acres will go to a cemetery site, and 0.9 acres will be used by the town of Southampton for purposes involving the construction and administration of the highway.

ralph@longisland.com

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