RJ
12-31-2007, 03:02 PM
Citizen Participation Is Urged In Review of Plan Prepared By NYSDEC and SBU
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Stony Brook University have scheduled a public meeting to gather input on a draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Flax Pond Tidal Wetlands complex located on Crane Neck Road in the Incorporated Village of Old Field* Town of Brookhaven* Suffolk County.
The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the draft UMP and will be held on Wednesday* January 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DEC Bureau of Marine Resources offices located at 205 Belle Mead Road* East Setauket. The draft UMP will be presented and staff will be available to answer questions at the meeting. The draft UMP is available for public review at DEC’s Regional Office in Stony Brook and at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library* 120 Main Street* Setauket* and on DEC’s website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/40329.html.
The Flax Pond Tidal Wetland complex consists of 146.2 acres of tidal pond* marshland* and surrounding beach and uplands. The DEC-owned property was acquired by New York State in 1966 using funding from the Park and Land Recreation Act of 1960* and is administered and managed by the DEC. The State University of New York’s Stony Brook University (SBU) has an easement to use the property for the study of marine and environmental sciences* pursuant to three Memoranda of Understanding between the University and DEC.
The draft Flax Pond UMP was prepared by a team comprised of representatives of DEC and the SBU School of Atmospheric and Marine Sciences. The Plan presents an inventory of the natural* historic and cultural resources present at Flax Pond and reviews current public uses of the property and existing regulations governing those uses. The Plan also identifies and assesses trends that might compromise natural resources at Flax Pond* sets out management goals and objectives for the property and recommends actions to achieve them. The UMP also details the personnel and financial resources necessary for its implementation.
-MORE-
While the Flax Pond Tidal Wetland is open to the public* opportunities for public access are limited due to its location and locally enforced street-side no-parking rules. A limited trail network is available for hiking and wildlife viewing. A locally based not-for-profit* the Friends of Flax Pond* has played an active role in promoting active stewardship and ecological research on the property.
Written and oral comments will be accepted both at the meeting* and by mail until January 31* 2008. Individuals who plan to attend the meeting are urged to supply comments in writing* if possible* since individual comments may be limited in order to ensure that all who wish to speak have an opportunity to be heard. DEC and Stony Brook University will evaluate and consider all comments received before finalizing the UMP and submitting it to the Commissioner of DEC and the President of Stony Brook University for approval.
Anyone wishing to comment on the draft plan should submit comments to:
NYSDEC Tidal Wetlands
Attention: Chris Arfsten
50 Circle Road*
Stony Brook* New York 11790-3409
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Stony Brook University have scheduled a public meeting to gather input on a draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Flax Pond Tidal Wetlands complex located on Crane Neck Road in the Incorporated Village of Old Field* Town of Brookhaven* Suffolk County.
The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the draft UMP and will be held on Wednesday* January 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DEC Bureau of Marine Resources offices located at 205 Belle Mead Road* East Setauket. The draft UMP will be presented and staff will be available to answer questions at the meeting. The draft UMP is available for public review at DEC’s Regional Office in Stony Brook and at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library* 120 Main Street* Setauket* and on DEC’s website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/40329.html.
The Flax Pond Tidal Wetland complex consists of 146.2 acres of tidal pond* marshland* and surrounding beach and uplands. The DEC-owned property was acquired by New York State in 1966 using funding from the Park and Land Recreation Act of 1960* and is administered and managed by the DEC. The State University of New York’s Stony Brook University (SBU) has an easement to use the property for the study of marine and environmental sciences* pursuant to three Memoranda of Understanding between the University and DEC.
The draft Flax Pond UMP was prepared by a team comprised of representatives of DEC and the SBU School of Atmospheric and Marine Sciences. The Plan presents an inventory of the natural* historic and cultural resources present at Flax Pond and reviews current public uses of the property and existing regulations governing those uses. The Plan also identifies and assesses trends that might compromise natural resources at Flax Pond* sets out management goals and objectives for the property and recommends actions to achieve them. The UMP also details the personnel and financial resources necessary for its implementation.
-MORE-
While the Flax Pond Tidal Wetland is open to the public* opportunities for public access are limited due to its location and locally enforced street-side no-parking rules. A limited trail network is available for hiking and wildlife viewing. A locally based not-for-profit* the Friends of Flax Pond* has played an active role in promoting active stewardship and ecological research on the property.
Written and oral comments will be accepted both at the meeting* and by mail until January 31* 2008. Individuals who plan to attend the meeting are urged to supply comments in writing* if possible* since individual comments may be limited in order to ensure that all who wish to speak have an opportunity to be heard. DEC and Stony Brook University will evaluate and consider all comments received before finalizing the UMP and submitting it to the Commissioner of DEC and the President of Stony Brook University for approval.
Anyone wishing to comment on the draft plan should submit comments to:
NYSDEC Tidal Wetlands
Attention: Chris Arfsten
50 Circle Road*
Stony Brook* New York 11790-3409