Krupski Seeks To Prioritize Prime Farmland Preservation

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski is speaking out about a bill he crafted to help dedicate funds toward farmland preservation -- and to prioritize acquisition of key parcels.

Over the past 10 years, Krupski said, Suffolk County has spent 32 percent of the sales tax funds it collects each year aimed at open space and clean water.

"There's no dedicated amount" set aside for farmland preservation, he said. His goal, Krupski said, is to raise the amount to 50 percent and ensure that it's a dedicated amount.

"There's so little money now that if you don't dedicate it to farmland, there won't be any money for farmland," he said.

The second part of the bill, Krupski said, centers on utilizing the county's master list for open space and farmland, as well as a rating system that's already in place. Krupski hopes that the when farmland comes up for preservation, those parcels of highest quality are considered first. 

"They'd have to reach a certain threshold to be considered," he said. Even while the county is seeking ways to secure additional funding for preservation, Krupski said, "There's no way we're going to be able to buy it all, not in 100 years. There are so many parcels we should be focusing on."

Prime parcels, he said, should offer watershed protection, feature wildlife habitats, and provide beach access. In addition, Krupski said the goal is to create large blocks of contiguous preserved farmland.

Recently, Krupski sponsored legislation authorizing the acquisition of farmland development rights under the New Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection program from the Riverhead Central School District.

That parcel, Krupski said, completed a large block of farmland in Riverhead. "That's important," he said.