County Has Preserved Nearly 650 Acres of Farmland Since 2012
(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone recently announced the acquisition of farmland development rights for 10 acres of the Eberhard Nursery property in the Town of Brookhaven to protect the land from future development. The property is located west of Pine Street in the hamlet of East Moriches.
“It is our goal to protect Suffolk County farmland as our agricultural industry is essential to our local economy and quality of life,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “The purchase of this land is another great step toward preserving valuable farmland in Suffolk County.”
“When the Eberhard family approached me about preserving additional acreage of the existing farm operation, I was happy to work with my colleagues and the Bellone administration to that end. As a farmer I know how important this preserved farmland will be to future generations,” said Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski.
The County’s acquisition of the 10 acre land, which produces trees and shrubs, was purchased under the Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program (DWPP). The DWPP, which was reauthorized by Suffolk County voters in November 2014, provides funding for environmental protection, sewer district tax rate stabilization and property tax mitigation throughout the County.
The County acquired the property for a total purchase price of $510,000. In 2015, Suffolk County has acquired 47.2 acres of farmland for preservation, and has acquired more than 647 acres of farmland since 2012.
The Suffolk County Division of Planning and Environment will oversee the use and preservation of the Eberhard Nursery property.
For more information, log on to www.facebook.com/stevebellone or www.suffolkcountyny.gov.
