DIVISION NEWS...
A Quick Snapshot of the Latest Important Information from Our Divisions
To read division bimonthly reports, see the link in the Public information/Document Library page on this subject Documents | Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission
Land Use and Planning
Land use development projects under environmental review by the Land Use and Planning division include Core Preservation Area and Compatible Growth Area waivers, interagency referrals, inquiries and requests for determination of jurisdiction. Applications include site plan and subdivision development projects. Current activities including a mixed use residential and commercial development project called Meadows at Artist Lake in Middle Island, utility infrastructure work for storm resiliency, requests to remove trees impacted by Southern Pine Beetle, and other site plan and subdivision development projects.
A five-year monitoring study of groundwater and surface water resources in the Peconic River and Carmans River conducted by the United States Geological Survey has been completed and published. The study is entitled Characterization of Stream Water Quality and Groundwater Levels in the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York, 2017-23. The Commission continues to its agreement with USGS to facilitate this important water resources monitoring work and to avoid gaps in scientific data collection efforts. See the webpage dedicated to this study. Hydrologic Monitoring in the Central Pine Barrens | U.S. Geological Survey
Science and Stewardship
Science and Stewardship has recently begun a bioacoustics monitoring survey in the Dwarf Pine Plains for the 2026 Fall Migration. Bioacoustics is the study of sounds originating from organic sources, such as wildlife. The intent of the survey is to capture the biodiversity of avian and bat species throughout the migratory period. While there are no target species being focused on per se, there is interest in documenting the occurrence of Eastern Whip-poor-will and Chuck-will’s-widow, both nightjar species that are primarily active from twilight until dawn. Recording in ultrasonic frequencies will document which bats are using the Dwarf Pines, too.
Science and Stewardship also placed trail cameras in the vicinity of the bioacoustic recorders. While the hope is to photograph birds, trail cameras excel at documenting larger animals. So, while avian photographs are unlikely, there are already plenty of photos of white-tailed deer, including fawns, and red fox.
Fire in the Central Pine Barrens is also a focus of the division with the drafting of the Southampton Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) underway and the 2027 spring prescribed fire season quickly approaching. A public meeting on the CWPP will be held at the Westhampton Beach Fire Department on October 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is free to attend. Also, be on the lookout for the 2027 wildland firefighter job openings at the Commission, which should be posted by October 2026.
Compliance and Enforcement
The Compliance and Enforcement division works closely with other law enforcement partners to bolster efforts to deter illegal dumping in the Central Pine Barrens, encouraging residents to report polluters and urging lawmakers to increase penalties for illegal dumping.
Arrests, fines and violations continue in the Central Pine Barrens. The division plays a pivotal role in coordinating and resolving enforcement matters pertaining to the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act, helping to protect the vast ecological resources of the Central Pine Barrens. Please contact this office to report illegal dumping and other unauthorized activities in the Central Pine Barrens.
Educational Outreach and Communications
Another amazing Barrens to Bay Summer Camp has wrapped up! The six weeklong camp sessions that began in late June and extended through mid-August were completely full and jam-packed with all sorts of fun activities, including seining the Carmans River, trail walks, crafts, games, visits from Central Pine Barrens animals and so much more! We can’t wait till next year.But since it’s fall, it’s time for the A Day in the Life program, under which dozens of schools from East Rockaway to East Hampton spend fall Fridays conducting student science on 14 Long Island rivers, bays, estuaries, creeks and other bodies of water. The program helps to connect students to the thriving ecological habitats right in their backyards.
The division is pleased to have also brought Central Pine Barrens Discovery Day back to the calendar! Hundreds of visitors came out to Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge to experience a full day of nature-oriented activities. We look forward to making next year’s even bigger and better.
Pine Barrens Credit Clearinghouse
It’s been a busy 2026 so far for the Pine Barrens Credit Clearinghouse.
Conservation easements, letters of interpretation and easement monitoring continues.
Pine Barrens Credits
-Redeemed: 19.3 Credits have been redeemed for commercial and residential projects.
-Conveyed: 16.71 Credits have been sold in the Town of Brookhaven, Riverhead and Southampton.
-The average price is $125,575 per credit.
New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy
The New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy (NYWIMA) has for nearly two decades been a vital training ground for those who dedicate themselves to protecting our communities, our forests and our natural resources.
See the NYWIMA page of this website for more information and for the registration brochure.
Two Academies are scheduled in late 2026:
November Academy: November 14 to 20, 2026
The November 14 to 20, 2026 Fall Academy will be held at Suffolk County Community College’s Eastern Campus in Riverhead. This new partnership provides NYWIMA with classroom, meeting, and field-training space to support a variety of wildfire, emergency management, and incident management courses.
The 2026 Fall Academy is scheduled to offer the following courses:
- FI-210_Wildland Fire Origin & Cause Determination
- RX-310_Introduction to Fire Effects
- S-130/190_Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (Field Day Only)
- S-131_Firefighter Type 1
- S-200_Initial Attack Incident Commander
- S-215_Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface
- S-219_Firing Operations
- S-230_Crew Boss (Blended)
- S-290_Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)
- S-359_Medical Unit Leader
- RX-410_Smoke Management Techniques
- Additional incident management and specialized training opportunities as scheduling and instructor availability are finalized.
NYWIMA is continuing to work with federal, state, county, local, and other partner organizations to finalize instructors and course logistics.
December Academy: December 5 to 11, 2026
A second Academy session is scheduled for December 5 to 11, 2026, at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL).
The December session will focus on courses that are particularly well suited to BNL’s facilities and field-training opportunities. Current plans include:
- S-112_Wildland Fire Chainsaws
- S-244_Field Observer
- S-130/190_Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (Field Day Only)
- S-236_Heavy Equipment Boss (Single Resource)
- Additional courses may be added based on instructor availability and partner-agency needs.
Check out the NYWIMA page for the latest schedule and brochure.
New York Wildfire and Incident Academy | Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission
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