Suozzi Seeks Community Input on Future Open Space and Environmental Projects

Advisory Committee to Conduct Public Meetings Throughout Nassau County

CLICK HERE for More Information about the Environmental Program Bond Act
and for information about Nominating a Property or Project for Funding

Mineola, N.Y. – Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi is seeking input from the public, as well as civic organizations, environmental groups and municipal officials, in developing a list of projects to fund under the new $100 million Environmental Program Bond Act, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November 2006.

Suozzi has appointed an Advisory Committee, tasked with evaluating the list of projects. The Advisory Committee is holding a series of public meetings throughout the county, to show residents and public officials how to nominate projects. Letters of invitation have gone out to county legislators, municipal officials and more than 800 civic and environmental groups.

“The residents of Nassau County play a crucial role in preserving and protecting our open spaces,” Suozzi said. “Because of the success of the initial $50 million 2004 Environmental Bond Act, they took the important step of approving this environmental bond act in November. Now we’re asking for their input on how to best spend these funds they’ve set aside for protecting our environment.”

Suozzi also announced two recent Open Space land purchases, paid for with funds from the $50 million environmental bond act approved in November 2004: the 33-acre Boegner Estate in Old Westbury, and the three-acre Parkway Drive Property in Baldwin, which includes wetlands. That initial bond act has also allowed the county to acquire the Red Spring Woods (9 acres) and Pulling Estate (16-acres). The county is in the process of purchasing Northwood Estate (33 acres), Meyers Farm (8 acres), Boegner Farm (12 acres) and Danaher Motion Property (1 acre).

Like the initial environmental bond act, the second bond act authorizes the county to fund projects in four areas: open space acquisition, parkland improvement, stormwater quality improvement and brownfield remediation.

"I encourage anyone with an interest in Nassau County and its future to attend these meetings and get involved," Suozzi said. "Our environmental health depends on it."

Schedule of public meetings:

• Tuesday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m., West Hempstead High School, 400 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead
• Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m., Jericho High School, 99 Cedar Swamp Rd., Jericho
• Thursday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Herricks High School, 100 Shelter Rock Rd., New Hyde Park

CLICK HERE for More Information about the Environmental Program Bond Act
and for information about Nominating a Property or Project for Funding