For Release: Monday, November 5, 2007
DEC Commissioner Grannis and Cardinal Egan Dedicate "John Cardinal O'Connor Lighthouse"
State, Archdiocese and Partners Also Announce Preservation of 100 Acres at Mount Loretto
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today joined Edward Cardinal Egan and other city, state, and federal partners to announce the dedication of the "John Cardinal O'Connor Lighthouse" memorial as a tribute to the connection Cardinal O'Connor had with the historic and environmentally important Mount Loretto area.
Attendees also celebrated the commitment to increase the state's land holdings in the region by an additional 100 acres using funding made available through innovative partnerships involving the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, The Trust for Public Land, and state and federal resources.
"Cardinal O'Connor was a tremendous public servant, spiritual leader, and a true appreciator of the beauty and serenity at Mount Loretto," DEC Commissioner Grannis said. "With this lighthouse designation, we celebrate his legacy and also the ongoing commitment by numerous public and private entities to continue preserving critical open space on Staten Island for the enjoyment of future generations of New Yorkers."
Edward Cardinal Egan, the Archbishop of New York, said, "His Eminence, John Cardinal O'Connor would have been deeply touched by this tribute. During his tenure as Archbishop of New York, Cardinal O'Connor worked tirelessly to enhance and improve the lives of all - Catholic and non-Catholic alike - and providing the Mount Loretto property to the people of Staten Island and the State of New York is just one example of the countless ways the Cardinal accomplished this. Re-dedicating the Prince Bay's Lighthouse as the John Cardinal O'Connor Lighthouse is a fitting and well deserved recognition of this great Archbishop and true New Yorker. I am also pleased that we are able to continue my predecessor's program to make available the North Mount Loretto Property for the further preservation of open space."
In the 1880's, Mount Loretto was a mission for homeless and disabled children. As early as 1998, New York State had been in negotiations with the Archdiocese of New York to acquire the property. With the aid of The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a nonprofit land conservation organization, the state was able to acquire 194 acres south of Hylan Boulevard at Mount Loretto. The acquisition included an endowment for the long-term stewardship of the property.
The Lighthouse is located on land included in the state's original purchase of Mount Loretto. In tribute to his personal connection to Mount Loretto, the Prince's Bay Lighthouse has been renamed the "John Cardinal O'Connor Lighthouse" and a new beacon has been activated as an official aid to navigation. The beacon was donated by Rob Loesch of Blue Crane, LLC.
Cardinal O'Connor's commitment to preserving open space continues with the sale of 75 acres of woods and wetlands north of Hylan Blvd to the DEC. The parcel, known as North Mount Loretto, will be added following upon an agreement negotiated by TPL for $12.5 million using funding provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The purchase includes significant upland and freshwater wetlands that will provide additional flood and stormwater control, watershed protection, erosion prevention and sediment protection, and preservation of critical wildlife habitat.
Christopher Zeppie, Port Authority Director of the Office of Environmental Policy, Programs and Compliance said, "The pending North Mount Loretto acquisition on behalf of DEC is the most recent of several conservation acquisitions that the Trust for Public Land has facilitated on behalf of the Port Authority and we're deeply grateful for their efforts on behalf of the Port Authority and the public. The Port Authority is pleased to add this - by far the largest acquisition to-date - to the list of resource acquisitions made under the Port Authority's Hudson-Raritan Estuary Resources Program. Looking ahead, we look forward to continuing to work with the Trust for Public Land, governmental agencies, and other not-for-profit entities to provide for natural resource preservation and public access."
In addition, with the assistance of TPL, DEC expects to acquire the 25-acre Sharrotts Road Shoreland parcels in the near future using funding from the Jamaica Bay Damages Account. Located on the western coast of Staten Island, the property consists of three separate lots of freshwater and tidal wetlands. The land will be used for passive recreation such as hiking and birding and public access to the Arthur Kill. The parcels will join other recent acquisitions, such as Butler Manor Woods - an 18-acre parcel acquired by the state last year with the assistance of Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, Congressman Vito Fossella, the Port Authority, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and a mitigation fund administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The lands will further protect Mount Loretto Unique Area's diverse and ecologically important habitats.
Congressman Fossella said, "Cardinal O'Connor was a man of tremendous strength and character who devoted his life to God and country. He touched the lives of millions of people of all faiths through countless endeavors on behalf of children, the poor, the elderly and the sick. Cardinal O'Connor loved Mt. Loretto, and he would be delighted that we have helped save another 100 acres here for future generations. Today is a special day for Cardinal O'Connor, his family and the people of Staten Island."
Leslie Wright, New York State Program Director for TPL said, "It's not often you can say you've protected 100 acres of ecologically sensitive land in New York City. This was all made possible by strong leadership from Governor Spitzer and the State of New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the bipartisan efforts of the New York congressional delegation, including Senators Schumer and Clinton, and Congressman Fossella."
The parcels announced today are listed as priority projects in the state's Open Space Conservation Plan and also are priorities with the Harbor Estuary Program. For more information about the Mount Loretto Unique Area, go to the "Outdoor Recreation" section of the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/ .
