A bill to allow conservation easements on “working waterfront” property goes before the Suffolk County Legislature for a public hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the Legislature’s 6 p.m. meeting at the County Center in Riverhead.
The bill is designed to help keep property that had historically been used for maritime purposes from being used for other purposes, in an attempt to protect threatened industries including aquaculture, fishing, marine repair and recreational boating.
“I helped spearhead this resolution, which will help protect our working waterfront communities from overdevelopment,” said Suffolk County Legislator Catherine Stark in a July 30 Facebook post, as the bill was being discussed by the County Economic, Development Planning, and Housing Committee. “Similar to the Farmland Preservation Program, this legislation would allow the county to purchase the development rights of the waterfront properties, and have it remain a working waterfront in perpetuity.”
According to the text of the legislation, Suffolk County is home to 2,949 maritime-related businesses employing approximately 38,419 people. According to NOAA, in 2023, New York State fisheries landed over 17 million pounds of fish valued at more than $28 million.
Three of the largest commercial ports in New York are on the East End, in Montauk, Hampton Bays and Greenport.
“In recognition of the environmental, historical, and cultural significance of the commercial fishing and maritime industries on Long Island and the integral nature of the commercial fisheries and maritime businesses to the community character, economy, and food supply to the residents of Suffolk County, the purpose of this local law is to establish a new chapter of the Suffolk County Code to create a formal mechanism for the acquisition of conservation easements by the County of Suffolk specific to working waterfronts, aquaculture, commercial fisheries, and recreational fishing or boating businesses,” according to the bill.
If adopted, the law would allow owners of property considered working waterfront to apply to a new, 17-member Working Waterfront Committee that would determine if the property meets the criteria for a conservation easement based on several factors, including the economic significance of the property to marine businesses.
The county would purchase conservation easements on the properties that meet the criteria, which would ensure the property remains used as working waterfront in perpetuity.
Written comment may also be sent to the Clerk of the Legislature at Guy.Calla2@suffolkcountyny.gov or via U.S. Mail at: Clerk’s Office at the Suffolk County Legislature, William H. Rogers Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, New York 11788.
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