Unprecedented Initiatives in Clean Energy, Land Preservation Mean a Green Future for Brookhaven
FEBRUARY 13, 2007, FARMINGVILLE, NY--Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley and members of the Town Board detailed their record of accomplishment in protecting the environment, preserving open space and farmland, and promoting clean energy at a press conference Monday at Town Hall.
In 2006, the Town of Brookhaven became the first municipality on Long Island to require that new homes be constructed according to Federal Energy Star standards, which will save taxpayers thousands of dollars in energy costs. Looking forward, Supervisor Foley is bringing an energy producing photovoltaic carport to Town Hall in a joint effort with New York State. This will be the first Solar PV Carport on Long Island as a result of a grant award from NYSERDA. Additionally, Supervisor Foley pledges green building standards will be incorporated in all specifications for bids on major town capital projects.
The Town Board has moved aggressively and in unanimous accord to purchase both open space and farmland, using the 2004 $100 million Open Space Bond Act. The town has preserved 496 acres of open space and is in the process of finalizing the purchase of another 232 acres. The town has preserved 94 acres of farmland, and is finalizing the purchase of another 217 acres. The total acreage of open space and farmland preserved is 1043.
However, with the fund almost exhausted, the time for replenishing the funds is now. With hundreds of acres already identified as candidates for preservation, Supervisor Foley, who has accelerated preservation in his first year, called for an accelerated dialogue for a new funding source with all interested parties—environmentalists, civic groups, building industry representatives and others—to work with him as the town works to balance protecting open space with thoughtful and well-planned development.
“We are working every day to protect and preserve our environment,” Supervisor Foley said. “In our first year, we have done exactly as promised – accelerating the purchase of open space, getting serious about clean energy in Brookhaven, and really rolling up our sleeves to reform Brookhaven Town government in order to make us an island-wide leader in environmental protection issues.
“In our first year we made great progress, preserving unprecedented acreage of critical open space and farmland to insure a livable future for future generations, but we clearly recognize that much remains to be done and time is short. Now is the time to begin an important dialogue about taking the next step in finding additional sources of funding. Building upon our successful collaborative and trailblazing effort to bring Energy Star construction standards to Brookhaven, we invite all interested parties to join us in this effort.
“We will be convening a bipartisan task force to explore new funding sources for open space preservation including but not limited to a Community Preservation Fund and we’ll be asking our colleagues on the Town Board from both sides of the aisle to participate, as well as civic, environmental and business leaders. We will expect a report back within 30 days of the formation of the task force.”
“I believe more has been accomplished in Brookhaven this past year than in any year in the history of this town,” said Councilwoman Connie Kepert. “From passing Energy Star legislation which will eliminate the release of 18,000 tons of greenhouse gases into the environment, to the preservation of over 1,000 acres of pristine open space, the Foley administration has led the way environmentally here on Long Island and will continue to do so going into 2007.”
“I'm proud of the record of accomplishments we are putting together here in Brookhaven - with important purchases in Terryville and proactive efforts to be good stewards of West Meadow Beach,” said Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld.
“Wee have worked tirelessly to preserve open space and farmland in council district 6, while promoting energy efficient policies for our town and vehicle fleet,” said Councilwoman Carol Bissonette.
“I am proud to be a partner with Brian Foley in working to protect our environment, open space and the quality of life of our community,” said Congressman Tim Bishop. “First as a Legislator and now as Brookhaven Supervisor, Brian Foley has always been an environmental champion.”
“The best way to measure Brian Foley’s dedication to environmental protection is to contrast his accomplishments with those of his predecessors he has already eclipsed,” said Assemblyman Steve Englebright. “For example, in just 13 months, Supervisor Foley has helped protect many hundreds of acres of open space, including the creation of an exquisite 240-acre nature preserve on the glacial moraine adjacent to Town Hall. Foley also completed the first master plan for the mile of Long Island Sound shorefront that is West Meadow Beach Park, ending forever the sad exploitation of Brookhaven’s most spectacular parkland. Given this track record, it seems appropriate to expect that in the future this pattern of environmental accomplishments will both continue and be expanded.”
Joining Supervisor Foley at the press conference were representatives of the League of Conservation Voters, the Long Island Sierra Club, the Brookhaven Open Space Council, the Neighborhood Network and the Nature Conservancy.
“The Sierra Club of Long Island is happy to support Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley in his efforts to promote the protection of open space throughout the township,” said Michael Cafaro of the Long Island Sierra Club. “His work on behalf of the Sierra Club's Cool Cities project, by getting the Town to sign on, is greatly appreciated. And last, but definitely not least, Brookhaven's lead role in legislating Energy Star homes, plus their move toward adopting LEED standards, is reason enough to praise the Township and its Supervisor.”
“Brookhaven had a great year regarding land conservation and for that, Supervisor Foley and the members of the Town Board are to be commended for their expeditious and continuing commitment of funds to protect some outstanding landscapes across Brookhaven Town,” said Kevin McDonald of the Nature Conservancy. “We look forward to continuing to work with Supervisor Foley and the Town Board during the next phase of land conservation in Brookhaven Town.”
“No town supervisor has made as strong a commitment to preserving Brookhaven's precious natural resources as Brian Foley,” commented Marilyn England of the Open Space Council. “With a thousand acres of open space and farmland preserved in his first 12 months, we can say with enthusiasm that Supervisor Foley has laid a solid environmental foundation that will benefit generations to come.”
“Supervisor Foley has been a true leader in brining new and innovative energy-saving initiatives to Brookhaven,” commented Neal Lewis, the executive director of the Long Island Neighborhood Network. “Under Foley’s leadership, Brookhaven has set an Energy Star standard for all new residential construction in the town, and they have adopted an aggressive action plan to promote clean energy and integrate energy efficient improvements into all major town capital projects.”
“As a County Legislator, Brian Foley earned a 100% score from the League of Conversation Voters, and we are proud that as Brookhaven's Supervisor he is keeping his promise to fight for preserving open space and promote energy efficient policies that make sense,” said Josh Horton, chairman of the League of Conservation Voters.
Supervisor Foley pledged that 2007 would continue to identify land near the Forge River for preservation, and to continue efforts to bring the Forge River back to the vital waterway that was almost taken from us. Efforts will continue to preserve the Manorville Farm Belt as well as other environmentally sensitive parcels throughout Brookhaven.
Important purchases made by the town in the last year include:
--Two purchases in the Manorville Farms Protection Area, 23 acres at a cost of $2,081,709 and 30 acres at a cost of $2,025,000. The Manorville Farms Protection Area is the last large tract of farmland in Brookhaven Town and has been a focus of the farm preservation effort.
--Three purchases along the Core to Shore Trail corridor, including 31.5 acres purchased from Camp Paquatuck, which not only filled in a key piece in the trail puzzle but also gave Camp Paquatuck close to $4 million so that the camp can continue its good work for handicapped children into the future. The other two parcels purchased along this important New York State recognized trail corridor are 50 acres purchased at a cost of $5,500,000, where a high-density development was imminent, and 14 acres at a cost of $1.4 million.
--Twenty acres in the Overton Preserve at a cost of $1,062,500, with another purchase of 92.2 acres in the preserve currently in contract.
--The 37-acre Godzeiba property at the headwaters of the Forge River, a town/county purchase at a cost to the town of $2,113,760. The Town has also been proactive in protecting lands it already owns. In 2006, the Town Board gave permanent protection to 240 acres immediately north of Town Hall by dedicating it to the Town’s Nature Preserve System as the Glacial Ridge Preserve.
Supervisor Foley listed a host of other environmental accomplishments including:
--Strong action to more effectively manage stormwater runoff and the environmental problems it causes. A new interdepartmental Stormwater Management Committee has been created to address the issue.
--Draft master plans created for the Swan River Watershed, the Overton Preserve, West Meadow Beach, and Mt. Sinai Harbor.
--Reopening of the town’s Mt. Sinai shellfish hatchery and aggressive efforts to reseed the Great South Bay.
--Greatly expanded use of compressed natural gas to fuel the town’s vehicles, and creation of a solar carport this spring to supply energy Town Hall.
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