The Suffolk County Water Authority and Town of Brookhaven have closed on a mutually beneficial land swap that will add a 5-acre parcel of land on River Road in Shirley to the Carmans River Watershed.
Under the terms of the transaction, the town received the 5-acre parcel of open space directly across from county parkland that includes a stretch of the Carmans River. SCWA, which had identified the property as surplus and not needed for future water uses, received $110,100 from the town as well as an easement on three acres of land on Pine Road in Coram.
"We reached an agreement that works for both sides," said SCWA Chairman James F. Gaughran. "The town adds to its open space holdings for a good price and the water authority gets an infusion of revenues for a piece of land we don’t need and also an easement on a property that we do need for future water supply purposes."
"This is another step in the right direction for the town and Suffolk County Water Authority in our effort to preserve and protect the Carmans River Watershed," said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. "The long lasting impact of this land swap and other open space acquisitions by the town will be a benefit to the environment in and around the river for many generations to come."
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.