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
The 2025 fire season started with a bang in the Central Pine Barrens. On March 8, four wildfires burned across southern Suffolk County. The Westhampton Pines fire alone burned approximately 600 acres. The commission’s prescribed fire squad assisted local partners, firefighters and first responders in mitigating hot spots and mop up to help bring the event to an end.
As spring progresses the Science and Stewardship division will focus on proactive prescribed fire forest management actions to reduce the risk of wildfires and improve grassland and forest health within the Central Pine Barrens. Prescribed burning is expected to occur in forested areas near the Rocky Point and David A. Sarnoff and Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forests this year.
Science and Stewardship staff will be monitoring the forest response at both the wildfire areas as well as those managed with prescribed fire throughout the season.
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) 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.
This year, NYWIMA provided three training sessions over a five-month period, with classes held in October, December and February. Sessions were held at both Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Suffolk County Fire Academy. Over the course of our training sessions, 282 students took part in 15 essential ICS and NWCG courses. These students came from across the nation, representing 17 states and 56 agencies at the local, state and federal levels. This speaks to the reach, impact and necessity of the training we provide.
This year, we provided six classes in S130/190 Introduction to Wildland Firefighting, training 91 students to NWCG standards. This also included training to Nassau and Suffolk volunteer firefighters, allowing 16 local fire departments to benefit from these critical programs.
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
