(New York, NY) New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle’s and Assemblyman Fred Thiele’s bill (S.4104-A/ A.5939-A) requiring towns within the Peconic Bay region –
East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold – to consider areas at risk of storm erosion as part of programs financed by a community preservation fund to preserve undeveloped shoreline was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday.
Community Preservation Funds are designed to protect the regions areas of natural beauty from over development. The new law will expand the criteria for space that can be protected by the CPF to include shoreline at risk of coastal flooding due to projected sea level rise and storms.
The new law takes effect immediately.
“The Community Preservation Fund (CPF) has been an extremely successful land protection program. As sponsor, I am pleased that the Governor has signed this legislation expanding the powers of the CPF to include preservation of underdeveloped beaches and shoreline at risk of coastal flooding due to storms and projected sea level rise. As we approach the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, it is fitting that we take this step to conserve our beautiful and pristine beaches that not only act as a buffer to protect our coastal communities but also represent an emblematic symbol of Long Island’s east end,” said Senator LaValle.
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. said, “In 1998, the New York State authorized the towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold to establish Community Preservation Funds to preserve land for open space, farmland preservation, historic preservation and park and recreation purposes. The Community Preservation Fund has been one of the most successful land protection programs in the state, generating more than $850 million to preserve more than 10,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, it was recognized that there was also a need to further ensure that we also protect lands that are at risk of coastal flooding and sea level rise. These sensitive lands are critical to the future of our local coastal communities. I thank Governor Cuomo for approving this important addition to this successful program.”
Drew Biondo
Director of Communications
NY State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle
28 North Country Rd.
Suite 203
Mount Sinai, NY 11766
Phone:631-473-1461
Fax: 631-473-1513
e-mail: abiondo@nysenate.gov
Twitter: @drewbiondo
