Brookhaven Town has added to its land bank with the purchase of 3.6 acres in Center Moriches. The parcel is on the north side of Montauk Highway, just west of La Volpe’s restaurant.
With its location at the headwaters of Senix Creek, the acquisition is of particular environmental importance, according to Supervisor Dan Panico, an area resident.
The wooded parcel is adjacent to two acres of woodland already protected by the town.
The purchase complements a three-acre wooded parcel on the south side of Montauk Highway acquired by Brookhaven in 2022 and a recently completed 10-acre acquisition one-quarter mile to the south along the banks of Senix Creek, Panico noted.
“The Town of Brookhaven continues to be committed to protecting remaining undeveloped lands and preserving water quality in our creeks and bays,” the Supervisor said, adding, “We hope to soon be in contract on the roughly 18-plus acre piece of undeveloped property, with wetlands at the headwaters of Ely Creek, on the south side of Montauk Highway between Lidl and the Moriches Bay Diner.” The land is next to a previously preserved three-acre parcel along James Hawkins Road.
“The Town Board should be commended for its willingness to purchase these properties,” said Steve Brown, a member of the Brookhaven Open Space and Farmland Acquisition Advisory Committee. “The preservation of open space, particularly at the headwaters of our creeks and streams, is critical in protecting our environment.”
In other environmental news, the town recently completed the construction of a special tunnel in Middle Island to allow frogs and other creatures to pass. A few years back, environmentalist John Turner discovered hundreds of amphibians killed by vehicles as they tried to cross East Bartlett Road between two ponds and proposed the wildlife-saving solution.
“Since the installation, a variety of species have been using the tunnel, including raccoons, chipmunks, frogs, and opossums, among others,” Supervisor Panico said. Environmentally sensitive wetlands on both sides of the road are under the protection of the town.