The 2006 Environmental Program

On November 7, 2006, 77% of the voters of Nassau County approved the establishment of a $100 million Open Space, Clean Water Environmental Program to protect Nassau County’s drinking water, preserve open space and remaining farmland, protect bays and harbors, and enhance, as well as add new parks and recreational facilities.  The County is now seeking nominations from the community for specific properties and projects to be considered for funding.

The Program authorizes the County to fund projects in four areas: open space and parkland acquisition, parkland improvement, storm water quality improvement and brownfield remediation.  Click here to view the Law which defines eligible uses for Bond Act funds.

Nominating a Property or Project

Anyone can nominate a property or project for funding, including private citizens, land preservation, environmental and civic organizations, and public officials. 

Nominations must be postmarked or submitted online by March 15, 2007. 

The Environmental Program Advisory Committee

An Advisory Committee was appointed by County Executive Tom Suozzi to recommend a list of properties and/or projects for each program category after reviewing all nominations and considering what projects and/or combinations of projects best meet the goals of the Nassau County Environmental Program.  The Committee will both apply the evaluation factors listed herein and consider other factors, such as geographic location, urgency, and technical and financial feasibility, when developing the lists.

Advisory Committee Members:

Brian Muellers, PhD - Chairman
Eric Eichenlaub - Counsel to the Majority Leader of the Legislature
Daniel McCloy - Representative of the Minority Leader of the Legislature
Lisa Ott - President, North Shore Land Alliance
Adrienne Esposito - Executive Director, Citizens’ Campaign for the Environment
Cynthia Cooper - Lakeview 21st Century
Daniel Donatelli, Esq. - Co-President, Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington
Susan Gordon-Ryan - Vice President for Development, Abilities!
Victor Consiglio - Member, 12th Assembly District Environmental Advisory Committee
Gary Carlton - President, North Woodmere Park Foundation
Kyle Rabin - Executive Director, Friends of the Bay
Robert Weltner - President, Operation SPLASH
Thomas Maher - County Executive’s Office

Ex-Officio Members

Ralph Fumante - Nassau County Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee
Neal Lewis - Nassau County Planning Commission

Factors for Evaluating Nominated Properties or Projects

Click on the following links for the criteria developed by the Advisory Committee to evaluate properties or projects:

Open Space Evaluation Factors

Parkland Improvement Evaluation Factors

Storm Water Quality Improvement Evaluation Factors

Brownfield Remediation Evaluation Factors

The Advisory Committee will host the following public meetings to inform the public about how to nominate properties or projects and how these nominations will be evaluated:

If you have any questions, please contact Tom Maher, Director of Environmental Coordination at (516) 571-1250 or his assistant Brad Tito at (516) 571-5825 or send an email to eba@nassaucountyny.gov .