IN THE NEWS...
A Quick Snapshot of the Latest Important Information from Our Divisions
Land Use and Planning
Land use development projects currently 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 expansion of municipal sewer treatment plant capacity as well as residential, commercial and industrial development.
Also, 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.
Science and Stewardship
Spring marks the start of prescribed fire season, and the Science and Stewardship division is working collaboratively with other agencies on such fires to improve ecosystem health, reduce the risk of wildfire and improve resilience to the southern pine beetle. Aiding the effort is the commission's professional seasonal fire crew and a new Type 6 fire truck. Operations are underway at Sarnoff, Rocky Point and Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forests.
The division is also supporting key monitoring and research initiatives to better understand the ecology of the Central Pine Barrens and getting ahead of the next invasive species.
Compliance and Enforcement
The Compliance and Enforcement division has joined with the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and 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.
A perfect example of this cooperative effort is the recent arrest of a man from Shirley who was charged with dumping a 24-foot boat in the woods in Manorville. The Suffolk County Sheriff's Department investigated the incident based on information provided by the commission's Compliance and Enforcement division.
The division is also in the process of incorporating the use of unmanned aircraft systems (commonly known as "drones") as a tool to deter polluters. Division personnel also provided drone training at the New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy.
The division plays a pivotal role in coordinating enforcement matters pertaining to the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act, helping to protect the vast ecological resources of the Central Pine Barrens.
Educational Outreach and Communications
Incredibly, it’s already nearly time for Barrens to Bay Summer Camp once again! The six weeklong camp sessions that begin June 30 and end August 15 are already completely full. As such, the Educational Outreach and Communications division is currently focusing its efforts on adding new and exciting activities to the overall program.
At the same time, the division is working on a video for June’s annual Cooperators Meeting focusing on the fascinating topic of vernal pools, the ephemeral bodies of water than pop up during the spring in the Central Pine Barrens and often disappear during the hotter summer months. The video fits into the meeting’s overall theme of The Water that Connects Us.
The division is also at work on creating a brochure for the fall’s “A Day in the Life” of a local river program and developing a forum during which teachers who have successfully used ADITL data in their curricula will share their methods with other teachers involved in the program.
Pine Barrens Credit Clearinghouse
It’s been a busy 2025 so far for the Pine Barrens Credit Clearinghouse.
This past January, the Central Pine Barrens Commission sent 380 letters to Core Preservation Area landowners soliciting their participation in the Credit Program. As a result, 25 letter of interpretation applications have been submitted and reviewed to date.
Additionally, six conservation easements are in progress. A total of 37 easement properties with road access have been inspected this year.
The commission is also currently reviewing a request from Camp Wauwepex (pictured) concerning lean-to structures and cabins. The Boy Scouts Reservation in Wading River is the largest property with a conservation easement in the Credit Program at approximately 400 acres.
New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy
The New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy (NYWIMA) was held October 19 through October 25, 2024 at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Additional training will occur December 9 to 13. See the NYWIMA page for more information.
The academy has for more than two decades provided essential training to thousands of firefighters and emergency response personnel from all over the country in everything from introduction to wildland fire behavior to firing operations to use of unmanned aircraft systems.
Celebrating 30 Years Since the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act Became Law
Click here for photos from the Commission's June 2, 2023 Cooperators Meeting event and partners.
Featured Video
Click here to see the video: Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act at 30 years
This video celebrates the history of this significant achievement to protect water and ecological resources in the Central Pine Barrens
Archive: Press Releases and Media Coverage
