IN THE NEWS...
A Quick Snapshot of the Latest Important Information from Our Divisions
Land Use and Planning
The Comprehensive Land Use Plan, approved by the commission in April of 2023, became effective July 19, 2024. The amendments, work on which began nearly a decade ago, will have beneficial impacts in the region. The codes of the municipalities with land use jurisdiction over lands in the Central Pine Barrens conforms to the provisions of the Plan.
Groundwater and surface water resource monitoring will continue in the Central Pine Barrens via a joint agreement between the commission and the United States Geological Survey.
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
The 2024 Barrens to Bay Summer Camp held at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley was a tremendous success. There's no place like Long Island's Central Pine Barrens, and no better place for your kids to learn about and enjoy all the region has to offer than Barrens to Bay camp.
The camp runs in three weekly sessions for six to nine-year-old campers followed by three weekly sessions for 10 to 12-year-old campers.
For more information, contact Tim Motz at tmotz@scwa.com.
Pine Barrens Credit Clearinghouse
The Pine Barrens Credit Clearinghouse is currently updating the Pine Barrens credit registry, which identifies potential buyers and sellers of credits.
After the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act identified the need for a credit program, the Pine Barrens Credit Program was created in 1995 to facilitate the transfer of development rights so the most environmentally sensitive lands in the Central Pine Barrens are preserved, with property owners able to transfer development potential to land in other locations.
Owners and purchasers of credits transact business in an open market, with all transactions tracked by the clearinghouse.
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
