Environment DEC
From the November 2006 issue
$4 Million Announced for Jamesport State Park and Preserve Plan
Governor George E. Pataki announced plans for the future development of Jamesport State Park and Preserve in the towns of Riverhead and Southold in Suffolk County. Included in the support is a $1 million grant toward a visitor and educational center from Senator Kenneth LaValle who joined State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro for the announcement.
Conservation Easement
The 225-acre park includes one
mile of pristine beach along
Long Island Sound
In 2002, Governor Pataki announced the acquisition of the 225-acre park and preserve, which features nearly one mile of pristine beach frontage along the Long Island Sound. In addition, as part of a $16 million purchase from KeySpan, the state retained a conservation easement for adjacent agricultural parcels totaling 300 acres to ensure permanent availability of farmland in the region and the continued compatibility of that farmland with use of the adjoining park. The resulting $3.3 million in proceeds from the sale of these agricultural lands is funding the design for the park and includes $1 million to match Senator LaValle's funds for the construction of a visitor and interpretive center.
Guided Development
A process to guide the development of any future recreational facilities and services and to insure their compatibility with and protection of the natural and cultural resources of the park will be initiated within the next few weeks. The review and analysis will build upon existing environmental data already documented by the Natural Heritage Program report recently conducted at the site. Public input will be a vital component of this process and will include the local community, agricultural organizations and the general public.
