MEDIA RELEASE

FEBRUARY 9, 2009

CONTACT: JOSHUA SLAUGHTER
    Office:  (631) 852-1300
Cell:  (631) 456-1718
 Email: Joshua.Slaughter@suffolkcountyny.gov

PRESERVING FRESHWATER WETLANDS AND ELIMINATING AN EYESORE IN MASTIC BEACH

Legislator Browning Working to Acquire Vital Property Located in Sheep’s Pen Marsh

Mastic, NY- Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) secured the passage of a planning steps resolution last week to purchase a .46 acre parcel at 811 Riviera Drive, which is located in Sheep’s Pen Marsh in Mastic Beach. The acquisition would include demolition of a dilapidated house on the property, which has been a concern to local residents and civic leaders over the past several years.

The home is located in freshwater/tidal wetlands, and is located in a severely low-lying area that is inundated by daily high tides from Narrows Bay. The property is within Suffolk County’s Mastic/Shirley conservation area, which is an area being focused on for preservation through Suffolk County’s open space program. This particular property is already adjacent to two parcels owned by Suffolk County, and is near an additional seventeen county-owned parcels on the Sheep’s Pen peninsula.

“This property should never have been permitted for development in the first place,” stated Legislator Browning. “The county has been actively pursuing all of the properties located in the wetlands of Mastic Beach. Unfortunately, we are now only starting to remedy the poor planning practices of the past.”

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation strictly prohibits development in tidal wetlands, and attempts by the owner to redevelop the parcel would most likely be denied. Legislator Browning intends to have the utilities and the current roadway removed, so that the land can be restored to its natural state.

“Letters requesting an interest to purchase parcels have been sent to the property owners in the vicinity of 811 Riviera Drive as well,” concluded Browning. “There are about five additional parcels with vacant structures in the area of this property. This project can serve as a model for coastal “undevelopment”, which has the support of the Nature Conservancy, and should be done throughout Suffolk County. Not only are we preserving the integrity of environmentally sensitive land in Mastic Beach, but we are eliminating an eyesore at the same time.”

The county will begin appraisals on the property shortly, and since the owner has expressed interest in selling the parcel, Legislator Browning is confident a successful acquisition can be completed. Once a price has been negotiated and accepted, a second resolution will be needed to approve the acquisition.