Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven Partner to Protect Open Space Within Carmans River Watershed

(Hauppauge, NY- July 18, 2013) – On July 11, 2013, Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven closed on the purchase of 12.4 acres of open space within the Carmans River Watershed. Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven shared the $622,165 purchase price in a 75% County – 25% Town split.

The property, which is north of Montauk Highway and east of Horseblock Road, is located in the headwaters to Yaphank Creek and is in close proximity to Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. It is located in the heart of an important groundwater recharge zone and was formally owned by the New Hope Revival Church, Inc.

Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning sponsored the resolution authorizing the acquisition, which was passed by the Suffolk County Legislature on December 4, 2012 and signed by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone on December 20, 2012.

Said Suffolk County Executive Bellone, “Preserving this open space is critical to preserving the quality of the Carmans River. When it comes to protecting the water quality of the Carmans River, I am glad that we have a strong partnership between Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven.”

“This purchase is another win for the Carmans River,” said Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine. “Its close proximity to other lands that the town has purchased for open space will help to maintain water quality in this environmentally sensitive area. I thank the County for their participation and for their continued support of open space preservation in the Town of Brookhaven.”

“This undeveloped parcel has been a priority for preservation since it was first proposed for development in the 1990’s,” stated Legislator Browning. “Its close proximity to the Wertheim National Refuge and potential impacts on Yaphank Creek and the Carmans River make it a critical purchase for open space.  When New Hope Revival Church agreed to sell the land to Suffolk County in 2011, and Brookhaven Town agreed to partner on the purchase, I knew our pristine waterways would be positively impacted for decades to come. I am thrilled to see this important purchase come to fruition and want to thank Councilwoman Kepert for working closely with me throughout the process. I will continue to make the Carmans River and our drinking water a top priority.”

Suffolk County’s $466,624 share of the $622,165 purchase is appropriated from the Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program funded by the quarter percent sales tax.

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