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Central Pine Barrens Commission
Science and Stewardship Division Update
Prepared by A. Carter, October 15, 2014
Pine Barrens Annual Research Forum
The Division played a lead role in producing the 19th Annual Pine Barrens Research Forum,
sponsored by the Commission, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Long Island Groundwater
Research Institute, and the Foundation for Ecological Research in the Northeast. The event held at
BNL on October 2, 2014, was well
received by participants, and featured
scientific and technical presentations, a
research poster session, and exhibits
covering a wide range of topics relevant
to the Long Island area; water quality,
wildlife management, climate risk,
pollution impacts, forest insects,
invasive species, and hydrology. The
Nature Conservancy hosted a highly
informative technical field session on
October 3 at Mashomack Preserve,
Shelter Island, lead by lead scientists
studying deer impacts and management.
ATV Damage & Dumping Mitigation
•
Rocky Point to Yaphank Trail Corridor
A field survey of problem access points for illegal off-road vehicle use and dump sites in the
trail corridor between Whiskey Road and Yaphank, has been completed by the Division in
collaboration with enforcement personnel and land managers. Preparation of a report of
findings is in progress.
•
Manorville Hills
Working with the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference and Suffolk County Water
Authority, the landowner, to develop a plan to mitigate ATV damage on the Paumanok Path
near Halsey Manor Road. The Town of Brookhaven’s participation will likely be needed, as
well.
Invasive Species Management
•
Attended the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA) quarterly meeting,
held on October 9 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office in Riverhead, which was
followed by invasive plant identification training. Discussion topics included the spread of
invasives by Hurricane Sandy, kudzu expansion on Long Island, aquatic invasives in the
Peconic River, invasive plant bio-control efforts, grazing, invasive species prevention zones,
management planning, and more. The Commission will host the next LIISMA meeting on
December 11, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the SCWA training facility in Coram.
•
NY State invasive species regulations will become effective in March, 2015. The regulations
relate to the possession, importation, purchase, transport, introduction, sale, and propagation
of listed species. A permit for research involving regulated species, will also be required.
Forest Health
The Division is actively participating in an investigation of pitch
pine mortality in and around the Pine Barrens in cooperation
with land managers and scientists, including NYS DEC, Cornell
University, Dartmouth College, USDA Forest Service, NY State
Parks, Suffolk County, and others. Last week, affected trees in
Shirley, Oakdale and Hampton Bays were examined, and insect
and bark specimens were collected and sent to a number of
laboratories for analysis. Southern pine beetle is suspected, but
we are waiting for confirmation of what would be the first
known occurrence in New York of this devastating forest pest.
Ray Corwin Rocky Point to Yaphank Trail
Conducting extensive research of property records, in
coordination with the NYS Department of Transportation,
needed to formalize segments of the proposed trail in the vicinity
of the Long Island Expressway right-of-way.
Cartographic and Information Services
•
Prepared maps, and researched ownership and protection status of various Core Preservation
Area properties.
•
Coordinated with Suffolk County Real Property Tax Service Agency to obtain historic taxmap
books to permanently archive in the Commission’s library. (The books are usually returned to
the agency after one year).
•
Provided GIS assistance to staff.
Ecological Services Contract
Continued discussions with the contractor and land managers with a focus on ecological assessment
protocols and restoration plan development.
Protected Lands Council
Continued to provide overall support to the Protected Lands Council (PLC). The next PLC meeting
will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 9:15 am in the lodge at Southaven County Park.
Dwarf Pine Plains Trail
Continued maintenance of the trail area in cooperation with landowners (NYS DEC, Suffolk County
Parks, and Suffolk County Water Authority). A new string trimmer has improved efficiency.
Compliance & Enforcement
Reported a number of clearing incidents, which are under investigation.
Equipment
Managed and maintained equipment and supplies.
Other
Responded to inquiries from the public and agency staff. Forest health is a frequent topic of concern
to callers.
Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission
Land Use Division Update for the Meeting of October 15, 2014
Central Pine Barrens Location (in CGA unless otherwise noted)
Action
Municipality
Town of Brookhaven
The Oaks at Miller Place
Subdivision CGA Hardship
Waiver, Miller Place
(decision deadline 1/21/2015).
Pending
Applications
Referrals,
Inquiries,
and
Receipt of
Information
• Albert Prodell Middle School,
Shoreham Wading River School
District, Shoreham. Site Plan
modification.
• Shoreham Wading River High
School, Shoreham. Site
improvements.
Restoration
and
Monitoring
Activity
• Artist Lake Plaza CGA-DRS,
Middle Island. Awaiting receipt
of C&Rs, conservation easement.
• Longwood Public Library CGA
Hardship Waiver, Middle Island
Wetland Restoration Plan.
• The Meadows at Yaphank PDD
CGA-DRS, Yaphank. Review
Conservation Easement.
Other
Activity and
Participation
Town of Riverhead
Riverhead Central School
District Bus Storage and
Fueling Facility, Calverton.
Request for Determination of
Jurisdiction.
Town of Southampton
Rock of Salvation Church CGA
Hardship Waiver, Hampton Bays
(decision deadline 11/19/14).
New York Air National Guard
106th Rescue Wing, Westhampton
(Core). Facilities upgrade and
brownout training area proposal.
-
• Island Water Park CGA
Hardship Waiver, Calverton.
• Nassau County Boy Scouts
Camp Wauwepex, Wading
River (Core). Dining hall
reconstruction.
•
•
•
•
-
CLUP Amendments preparation for review and worksessions.
Review and analysis of development project applications and other submissions and requests.
Respond to SEQRA Coordination letters, site plan, and subdivision referrals; perform site inspections.
Carmans River Watershed Central Pine Barrens Expansion. Inquiries received as a result of letters sent
in August and September to Core and CGA landowners in expansion area: 11 Core and 51 CGA.
• Research and assistance with FOIL requests and litigation matters related to land use development
projects; support other divisions on stewardship projects, the Pine Barrens Credit Program, Education
and Outreach events, and Compliance and Enforcement incidents.
The Oaks at Miller Place (CGA)
Rock of Salvation Church (CGA)