NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to Sections 303-a and 303-c of the NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTURE and MARKETS LAW, the Suffolk County Legislature will hold a public hearing on the 3rd day of June, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Rose Y. Caracappa Auditorium of the William H. Rogers Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, New York regarding the recommendations from the Suffolk County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board with respect to a proposed consolidation of Agricultural Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 into Agricultural District No 1 and the removal of 376 parcels from Agricultural Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that Agricultural Districts Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 7 currently include in excess of 55,000 acres within the County of Suffolk. Agricultural District 1 comprises the Towns of Southold and Shelter Island and includes 18,686.53 acres of farmland and underwater land. Agricultural District 3 comprises the Towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip and Smithtown and includes 34,878.13 acres of farmland and underwater land. Agricultural District 5 comprises the Towns of Southampton and East Hampton and includes 11,874.65 acres of farmland. Agricultural District 7 comprises the Town of Riverhead and includes 12,183.55 acres of farmland.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board recommends the consolidation of Agricultural Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 in order to respond more effectively to the challenges associated with agriculture and to make use of resources in a more unified manner. The Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board also recommends removing 376 parcels from Agricultural Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 as they are no longer being utilized for agricultural purposes.
The Clerk will accept written testimony via mail to the Clerk’s Office at the Suffolk County Legislature, William H. Rogers Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, New York 11788, or email to Guy.calla2@suffolkcountyny.gov, as well as recorded voice testimony at (631) 853-3685. Written and email testimony submissions will be attached to the minutes of this meeting as Addendum A. A transcription of the recorded voice testimony which was submitted will be attached to the minutes of this meeting as Addendum B. The Report of the Suffolk County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board and related documents can be viewed online at:
https://www.scnylegislature.us/DocumentCenter/View/121999/2024-Report-of-the-Suffolk-County-Agricultural-and-Farmland-Protection-Board-and-Related-Documents-PDF
Guy P. Calla
Clerk of the Suffolk County Legislature