NYS Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today endorsed the proposed 2014 Draft Open Space Conservation Plan recently released by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and Department of State (DOS). Every five years, the State updates its Open Space Conservation Plan.

The Plan includes important open space recommendations for the First Assembly District. They include:

• Montauk Moorlands - East Hampton
• Southampton Pine Barrens – western Southampton
• South Fork Wildlands and Groundwater Protection Area - eastern Southampton
• East Hampton Pine Barrens - East Hampton - Wainscott, Sag Harbor, Springs
• Stony Hill Woods – Amagansett
• Lazy Point - East Hampton-Napeague
• Forge River at Old Mastic
• Mastic-Shirley Conservation Area - Great South Bay
• Shinnecock Bay - Southampton- Quogue/Southampton Villages

Thiele stated, “More than ever, our local governments and local conservation organizations need partners to protect our valuable open spaces on the East End of Long Island. Both our economy and our environment depend on it. Clean air and water, protecting natural resources, recreational opportunities, farmland protection, and historic preservation remain important policy considerations. Since 2009, because of Superstorm Sandy, we also have an increased awareness of climate change and the need to protect our coastline. Through the Peconic Bay Community Preservation Fund (CPF), our towns have taken the leadership role in protecting sensitive open lands. Both New York State and Suffolk County need to put their money where their mouth is and resume their full partnership status in pursuing these endeavors.”

In addition to endorsing the proposed plan, Thiele also proposed that the State of New York set aside $150 million from a $4.5 billion legal settlement with banks and insurance companies over questionable mortgage practices. He noted that such an investment would restore cuts and raids to the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) that limited the effectiveness of the FPF during the Great Recession.

Thiele stated, “The $4.5 billion state surplus is the result of a one-shot revenue from the mortgage legal settlement. Therefore, the most prudent use of these dollars would be to invest them in capital projects and infrastructure. Open space should be one of those capital projects. More than any policy area of the State Budget, the Environmental Protection Fund was cut during the recession. It is not only fair, but in the best interests of future generations to invest $150 million of these funds in open space preservation on Long Island. It is a key part of our strategy to promote clean water.”

Hearings on the Plan will be held on Long Island on October 22, 2014 at DEC Regional Headquarters in Stony Brook, 50 Circle Road from 2:30pm to 4:30 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm. Public comments will be received until December 17, 2014 via email (LF.Lands@dec.ny.gov) or by mailing at Open Space Conservation Program, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4250.