Suffolk County recently acquired property in Mastic Beach to preserve additional open space in the Mastic-Shirley Conservation area. In total between the county and the Town of Brookhaven, more than 226 acres have been preserved to create a natural buffer area and protect residential properties to the north from future storms and flooding.
“With unprecedented storms and significant rainfall totals impacting our region now more than ever before, Suffolk County must be proactive in protecting our coastal communities and low-lying areas,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “By acquiring more open space in the Mastic-Shirey Conservation area, we will continue to create natural buffers along the shoreline in an effort to reduce damage from future storms.”
“This is yet another step in our coastal resiliency efforts to help mitigate flooding by promoting the preservation of open space in the southern portions of our community. These acquisitions not only help protect the community against storm surge, but aid in restoring the ecosystem and habitat,” said Suffolk County Legislator Jim Mazzarella (R-Mastic).
The acquired open space on Lafayette Drive in Mastic Beach is adjacent to previously owned Suffolk County parkland. The 0.21-acre acquisition is the latest addition to the County’s preservation of 76 acres of land in the conservation area alone worth nearly $1.4 million.
Acquisitions along the Mastic-Shirley Conservation are a priority to create a public floodplain protection area in order to undertake wetland and floodplain restoration. In addition, a natural buffer area will improve the scenic and recreational value of the area while minimizing future development.