In a bipartisan effort, Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside) and members of the Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved the placement of a referendum on this November’s ballot that would authorize the county to issue a $50 million bond for Clean Water, Open Space Protection and Parks.

The fund will protect drinking water, preserve the county’s remaining open space and farmlands from development and improve parklands and park facilities.

“We have a unique opportunity here to take a stand in the protection of our environment for future generations,” Tobacksaid. “A year from now, two years from now, it could be too late.”

According to Toback, there are just 400 acres of agricultural farmland and horse farms left in Nassau County.

The proposal will ask voters to approve a referendum that creates an environmental fund to be paid off through a dedicated tax line. It is estimated to cost the average taxpayer about $7 a year.

According to Toback, the legislation would allocate funds to be spent on acquiring open space and development rights, improving parks, clean water projects, brownfields cleanup and oversight. The Legislature would then be responsible for approving any projects submitted by the County Executive, after recommendations are made by the Open Space Parks Advisory Committee and the County Planning Commission.