On May 13th, the County Legislature approved a bill sponsored by Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) authorizing the county to levy fines for illegal building or clearing of trees in the Suffolk County Pine Barrens.
"Suffolk County has spent tens of millions of dollars to acquire and preserve land in the Pine Barrens," Cooper said. "I'm delighted that a majority of my colleagues agree that we should act now to protect this precious region that sits directly atop the largest drinking water supply on Long Island."
The bill was approved by a vote of 11-5 with two abstentions. This occurred despite intense lobbying by Brookhaven Town Supervisor John Jay LaValle, who contended that the legislation would jeopardize his town's ability to pursue violators. This was disputed by both the Counsel to the County Legislature and by the Long Island Pine Barrens Society.
"Enactment of the Cooper bill will increase Suffolk residents' confidence that the drinking water and habitat resources of the Pine Barrens will be protected," stated Richard Amper, Executive Director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society. "This legislation will complement, not contradict, Town and State efforts to better preserve Long Island's premium ecosystems."
If signed into law by County Executive Robert Gaffney, Cooper's legislation will authorize the county to levy fines of up to $25,000 and up to one year's imprisonment for illegally building or clearing trees in the Pine Barrens. It will also force violators to repair any damage they caused and will reward those who help bring violators to justice.
