Kick-Off Campaign Held for Environmental Bond Acts

Groups Support Nassau and Oyster Bay Referenda

Environmental and civic leaders kicked-off a month-long campaign to win approval of environmental bond acts in Nassau County and Oyster Bay. Standing on the line that divides the preserved and developed portions of the Underhill Property in Jericho, supporters asked voters, "which side of the fence are you on?"

Members of Nassau Citizens for Clean Water and Open Space , a coalition of many environmental groups, gathered to kick-off a month long campaign to win approval of environmental bond acts in Nassau County and Oyster Bay.

Nassau voters will be asked to approve the $50 million Clean Water, Open Space and Parks Trust Fund to protect drinking water, preserve open space and farms and to improve parks. The measure would cost the average Nassau household $7 per year.

"Land not preserved immediately will be lost forever to development," said Lisa Ott, executive director of the North Shore Land Alliance. "The cost is so small and the benefits so great, Nassau residents can't afford not to vote yes," she added.

Oyster Bay voters will have the opportunity to vote on the $30 million SEA Fund II that will continue open space purchases as well as parks and recreation, begun with the enthusiastic approval of SEA Fund I in 2004. The Bond Act would cost the average household less than $1.35 per month. Joseph Lorintz, Executive Director of the Long Island Drinking Water Coalition said, "Oyster Bay has a proud history going back to Teddy Roosevelt of environmental conservation. We expect voters to approve continuing this tradition."

Carrying signs saying "Preservation: Now or Never," the community leaders said that the visible contrast between the area being developed and the land next to it that was preserved using town, county and state dollars was clear. "The choice is obvious," said Patricia Randolph of the North Shore Land Alliance. "To say no to further over-development and the high taxes that go with it, Nassau voters must vote yes on Nov. 2," she added.

Lorintz pointed out that Oyster Bay residents will see both the town and county environmental referenda on the ballot in that town. "By supporting both, Oyster Bay residents will be able to leverage county dollars with local dollars to double the investment in preservation and parks," he explained.