EPCAL – A Major Development in the Pine Barrens
Presented by the Sierra Club with The Nature Conservancy, Group for the East End
and the Coalition for Open Space at EPCAL www.CalvertonGrasslands.org
(Long Island, N.Y.) Even as the EPCAL property is added to the NY State open space list, coming under consideration for preservation, the Town of Riverhead is proceeding with plans to develop the 2900 acre former Grumman property in Calverton, now known as Enterprise Park at Calverton (EPCAL). It is critical that the Town and private developers at EPCAL acknowledge and avoid impacts to the considerable natural resources at the site.
Long Island residents depend on EPCAL for safe drinking water. EPCAL is entirely within a Deep Groundwater Recharge Area (Hydrogeologic Zone III), as established by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS). These areas recharge rainfall to the deep groundwater flow system, and so have a direct impact on the quality of our long-term water supply.
The EPCAL site contains approximately 800 acres of grasslands and 10 kettlehole ponds. It is the largest such habitat remaining on Long Island, and many species depend on it for food and shelter. The endangered short-eared owl and threatened northern harrier hawk hunt for prey in the grasslands and marshes while grasshopper sparrows, nighthawks and larks take refuge and find food in the productive ecosystems on the site.
We invite all interested residents to learn more about the planned projects and what they will mean for eastern Long Island and its residents. This presentation from the Coalition for Open Space at EPCAL will include the latest information on this issue as it evolves.
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Wednesday February 4th, 7:30 to 9pm
Doors open for refreshments at 7pm
Directions:
Quogue Wildlife Refuge, 3 Old Country Rd East Quogue, NY 11942 (631) 653-4771
From Sunrise Highway (Rte.27) take exit 64 S, and head south on Route 104. Go 2 miles and turn right onto Old (Rte.27) take exit 64 S, and head south on Route 104. Go 2 miles and turn right onto Old Country Road. Go 0.7 miles, entrance is on the right when the road bends left.
