To many of us on the East End, preserving our way of life means protecting our environment, agriculture and the marine character that define us — vital farmland, pristine beaches, historic communities, local charm, and protected open spaces or waterfronts help define our today and hopefully our future.
For every day of my nearly thirty years in County government, protecting our environment and agriculture has been at the forefront. Over the last two years, as your County Legislator, I am proud to have protected more than 200 acres of open space and farmland, with nearly 750 more acres in the pipeline for preservation.
It cannot be overstated that the preservation of land is critical for our way of life here in the First Legislative District. We must protect the land to preserve our environment and our precious aquifer, and by safeguarding our open space and farmland we are achieving this goal. A key path for our efforts is the County’s Open Space Preservation Program and Farmland Preservation Program, to which I have personally introduced scores of landowners. I’ve facilitated numerous connections between these individuals and Suffolk County government to protect our open space and agricultural lands for future generations.
I’m proud of my role in the preservation effort. As a member of the Farmland Committee, the Soil & Water Conservation Board, and Vice Chair of the legislature’s Environment, Parks and Agricultural Committee, I am committed to continuing the preservation of our East End. This experience is invaluable in making sure that we protect our communities from overdevelopment, while encouraging appropriate redevelopment in select areas. It’s critical to have someone who understands how county government works to protect our North Fork way of life.
A special recent success is the passage of a historic mechanism for protection of our aquaculture and marine industries. For the last year, I have helped lead efforts to create Suffolk County’s Working Waterfronts Program, which would allow marine landowners the right to sell their development rights to Suffolk County, so that those waterfront properties would retain their marine use and keep that vital part of our economy protected. The program will follow a process to identify and approve properties like the rigorous process already used by Suffolk’s successful Farmland Committee in our vigorous farmland preservation activities. My office has already been contacted by landowners interested in preserving their working waterfronts.
Suffolk’s successful 50-year Farmland Preservation Program — a first-in-the-nation effort — was mirrored across the country. Our Working Waterfront Program follows the State of Maine’s success, and our working waterfronts will be protected in perpetuity. Other states with similar legislation allow for a review every few decades, but Suffolk will ensure the waterfront properties are preserved forever.
Frankly, all this good work also needs a person who has a solid working relationship with other levels of government. I have worked hard to maintain incredible partnerships with the Town of Riverhead, for example. In addition, after ten years working with then-Legislator, now Supervisor Krupski as his chief of staff, it’s a pleasure to continue collaborating with him and the Town of Southold on several key issues. Across my district, I have met with Supervisor Brach-Williams and members of Shelter Island government, held an extremely successful Emergency Preparedness event with Supervisor Moore of Southampton, and held discussions with Mayor Stuessi of Greenport on various issues, and constant conversations with Brookhaven Town Supervisor Panico. All these relationships help drive partnership with local governments through numerous efforts, including major issues with regional implications such as preservation of our open space and working waterfronts.
My record on environmental protection speaks for itself. I have spent my career fighting to protect our environment and, locally, have always advocated for more County funds to be spent on the East End.
Our work thus far, with my colleagues from all levels of government, grants me pride and gratitude. I look forward to the work still being done to ensure that Suffolk remains a place where people will live, not leave.
Legislator Catherine Stark — who represents the First Legislative District including the towns of Shelter Island, Southold, and Riverhead, as well as portions of Brookhaven and Southampton — is a Republican running for reelection in next month’s elections.