April 2008

Steve Levy Receives National Praise for County's Open Space Program

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's open space preservation initiatives received national acclaim as the Trust for Public Land and the National Association of Counties announced that Suffolk received a County Leadership in Conservation Award for its aggressive Open Space Acquisition Policies.

Suffolk was one of five counties in the nation that was recognized for leadership, innovation and excellence in local land conservation and park creation initiatives. During the last five decades, Suffolk County has spent close to $1 billion to acquire more than 50,000 acres of land. Under Levy's administration, more that 5,500 acres have been preserved, six and one half times the size of Central Park.

Originally chartered in 1986, Suffolk County's open space program was created to preserve the County's drinking water supply. Under Levy's direction, this program has branched out and Suffolk County has undertaken some of the most progressive open space preservation initiatives in the nation. In 2004, Levy signed legislation creating the Save Open Space (SOS) Program. Through the issuance of $75 million in serial bonds, the county was able to acquire open space, farmland development rights, hamlet greens and hamlet parks or pocket parks to enhance public spaces in downtown areas. To date the program has spent $30 million to conserve 443 acres.

More recently, the County Executive created the Environmental Legacy Fund, requiring a 50 percent matching contribution from partnering municipalities. This three year program commencing in 2007 provides $50 million through the county's capital budget to acquire open space in partnership with public municipalities and non-profit environmental land protection organizations. This will result in a total of at least $100 million dedicated to preserving open space, acquiring farmland development rights, creating active recreational areas and preserving historic sights.

Levy also lobbied for passage of the Quarter-Percent Drinking Water Protection Program extension in last year's November election, a measure that will allow the county to borrow $322 million over the next four years for the acceleration of land acquisition.