DEC and Peconic Land Trust announce second preservation of Pine Barrens land critical to protect Long Island’s sole source aquifer

Brookhaven Property Acquisition is Latest to be Approved to Use DEC Source Water Protection Grants

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Peconic Land Trust today announced the preservation of a second parcel in the Central Pine Barrens Core. The acquisition of this property will help protect Long Island’s groundwater. The parcel, located in the Town of Brookhaven, is the second on Long Island to be approved and purchased with funding from DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grants that specifically target the protection of source waters.

“New York State has made protecting Long Island’s drinking water a top priority, and by working with partners like the Peconic Land Trust and investing record resources to achieve our goals, we are making a real difference in improving water quality,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “The permanent conservation of this Brookhaven property builds upon the progress being made and will be integral to the health of the Peconic River, the region’s water supply, and the ecologically significant Pine Barrens now and well into the future.”

John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust, said, “The DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project grants are a tremendous resource to assist land trusts and communities in the protection of our local drinking water resources. We are so pleased to be able to announce the second project under this grant with the DEC and the Town of Brookhaven. Our sincere thanks go to the landowner, IGHL (Independent Group Home Living Program), for choosing conservation for this property. We also extend our appreciation to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, the New York State Senate and Assembly, and the staff of the DEC for making this funding available; and to the Town of Brookhaven and the Peconic Estuary Program for partnering with us. We look forward to announcing additional conservation efforts in Brookhaven later this year.”

Funding for the project comes from a $2.3 million DEC grant awarded to the Peconic Land Trust in 2017 for the implementation of a Regional Aquifer Protection Land Acquisition Program (RAPLAP). The Trust paid $150,000 for the 4.1-acre woodland and grassland parcel on North Road (River Road) in Manorville. The Town of Brookhaven identified the property as a priority for conservation because of its location in the Central Pine Barrens Core and its proximity to other protected lands in the area, including Peconic River Park.

View the full press release here.