Farmingville, NY - At the February 13 Town Board Meeting, a resolution to acquire 106 parcels of land in the Mastic Beach Conservation Area was unanimously adopted by the Town Board. The resolution was sponsored by Councilman Dan Panico. The properties are located within environmentally sensitive wetlands near rivers and streams along the Great South Bay. This area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, waterfowl, fish and other aquatic-based animals that help to maintain the balance of nature in the wetlands and beyond. The acquisitions by the Town will protect the low-lying coastal areas that are most likely to flood during extreme high tides, storms and hurricanes. In 2012, Super Storm Sandy battered the Mastic Beach coastal communities, causing significant flooding and millions of dollars in property damage that many families have never recovered from. Structures that remain on any of the properties after acquisition will be demolished by the Town and the land will be returned to its natural state as open space. The purchase price of the 106 parcels is $1.35 million, paid for in part by a $250,000 grant from the Nature Conservatory. In the aerial photograph above, the orange and yellow boxes indicate properties to be acquired by the Town of Brookhaven.
Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “The entire south shore of Brookhaven is vulnerable to flooding and one of the prime reasons is overdevelopment of the wetlands from Blue Point to East Moriches. Over the years, I have witnessed first-hand the damage and devastation in the wake of many hurricanes and storms. Thanks to Councilman Panico’s commitment to restore these wetlands, we continue to make great strides in our efforts to protect and preserve our fragile environment.”
Councilman Dan Panico said, “When Super Storm Sandy hit, it became very clear that we needed to do something to save the wetlands before it was too late. The Town has demolished many abandoned houses and returned properties to their natural state, but we need to do more. Our land acquisitions, and those recently approved by the County, will help keep future flooding and storm damage down to a minimum during the next severe weather event or hurricane that bears down on the peninsula. I thank Supervisor Romaine and my fellow Town Board members for their support of my resolution.”
Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone 631-451-6595