MARCH 17, 2006, FARMINGVILLE, NY – Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley and Councilman Kevin T. McCarrick announced at a press conference at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21 that the town has filled a key missing piece in a critical open space puzzle with the purchase of the 30-acre Demetis/Delligatti property adjacent to Rocky Point State Park.

The press conference was held at the southern end of Anthony Drive south of the Route 25A bypass in Rocky Point.

“The purchase of this parcel creates an enormous, contiguous piece of open space that will be enjoyed by Brookhaven Town residents today and for generations to come,” said Supervisor Foley. “This is a perfect example of the smart use of open space dollars to garner the greatest reward for the dollar spent, and it demonstrates my administration’s dedication to the preservation of open space. Our grandchildren will thank us for this.”

“Acquiring this parcel is another example of why I sponsored and supported the historic $100 million bond act initiative of 2004 to secure a legacy for our children and their families,” said Councilman McCarrick. “I am sure we will continue to see more preservation in the years to come.”

The 30-acre parcel is bordered on the east and south by a town nature preserve of 46 acres, and on the west by Rocky Point State Park, and its purchase insures the integrity of a major piece of Rocky Point open space. The purchase also helps to protect a Suffolk County Water Authority well field on an adjoining property. The Demetis property is estimated to recharge about 53,000 gallons of pure water each day to the underlying aquifers.  This translates to nearly 20,000,000 gallons annually.

The purchase price is $6,600,000 and the funding will come from the town’s voter-approved Clean Water Open Space Bond Act of 2004. The property is located in the Pine Barrens Compatible Growth Area and is mostly wooded, with typical Pine Barrens vegetation. The property is in the Shoreham/Wading River School District.

Those attending the press conference will include New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Peter Scully, Suffolk County Water Authority Executive Director Steve Jones, Kevin McDonald of the Nature Conservancy, Dick Amper of the Pine Barrens Society, and representatives of local civic organizations, the Long Island Environmental Voters Forum and other environmental organizations.

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Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6955 • Fax (631) 451-6677
www.Brookhaven.org