I am writing to seek your support and partnership in preserving a large Pine Barrens property situated within the Compatible Growth Area of the Central Pine Barrens in the Town of Brookhaven.
This heavily forested parcel is bound by North Street on its western and northern boundaries, low-density residential development along Weeks Avenue on its eastern boundary, and Moriches–Middle Island Road to the south. Referred to as the “Pine Ridge Preserve” in the most recent iteration of the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan, the property narrative in the Plan states:
Pine Ridge Preserve: Brookhaven: An 800-acre parcel of highly intact pine barrens forest containing significant habitat for rare Lepidoptera (Coastal buckmoth) and several New York State Natural Heritage-ranked species. Remarkably free of invasive plant species.
The property is a significant open space conservation target and, as noted, is located within the Central Pine Barrens—a natural landscape and environmental region of paramount importance to New York State residents, especially those in Suffolk County. The Pine Barrens constitute a globally rare ecosystem and overlie one of the purest and largest supplies of clean drinking water on Long Island. Because of these values, New York State adopted the Pine Barrens Protection Act in 1993 to ensure permanent protection of this region.
As the New York State Open Space Plan narrative indicates, the property possesses significant wildlife habitat value for many species, including those identified as “Greatest Conservation Need” in the most recent iteration of the New York State Wildlife Action Plan. Furthermore, a property of this size would provide numerous outdoor recreational opportunities for residents, including hiking, bird watching, and nature study.
The property also has substantial watershed value, recharging large volumes of clean drinking water to the underlying aquifers. It is estimated that approximately 365 million gallons of water recharge the aquifers through the property annually—enough to meet the daily water supply needs of about 8,300 residents.
Given these values, the Town has permanently protected 164 acres in the southeastern portion of the property and is currently negotiating to acquire an additional 10-acre parcel. However, this still leaves hundreds of acres of unprotected Pine Barrens land available for public acquisition. Due to the significant acreage that remains unprotected, the Town of Brookhaven does not have the fiscal capacity to acquire it alone. It is my hope that the State of New York will work in partnership with the Town to acquire the remaining acreage of this important open space.
It is also important to note that there is broad support for preserving this entire tract within the Long Island conservation community. The Long Island Pine Barrens Society, for example, has identified the property as one of fifteen unprotected sites worthy of protection as part of its “Best of the Rest” campaign.
In addition, such a significant and environmentally valuable property would serve as a fitting tribute to the late Richard “Dick” Amper, whose lifelong advocacy and leadership were instrumental in preserving the Long Island Pine Barrens. Naming this preserve in his honor would recognize his enduring legacy and commitment to environmental conservation.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the details of a state–town partnership and thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.