Southampton Town Agrees to Purchase 65-Acre Parcel on Peconic Bay

Acquisition Protects Peconic Bay Shoreline, High Priority Land According to The Nature Conservancy

Southampton, NY—September 25, 2006—Southampton Town Supervisor Patrick Heaney announced today the Town’s intent to purchase 65 acres of woodland and nearly half a mile of natural shoreline on Peconic Bay with sandy beaches and 50 foot bluffs. The Nature Conservancy assisted with the negotiations.

The property is located in Hampton Bays and has been owned and operated as a camp by the Girl Scouts of Nassau County for many years, with the vast majority of the spot being in its natural state.

This property, joined with Squires Pond Town Park to the east, will create nearly one half mile of public access to the water.

“This acquisition will give the people of Southampton a spectacular family-oriented beach on the Peconic Bay in Hampton Bays,” said Supervisor Patrick Heaney.

The Town intends to pay for the parcel using monies from its Community Preservation Fund (CPF). The CPF is financed by a two percent tax on real estate transfers and is in effect in the five eastern Towns of Suffolk County. A 10-year extension of the two percent transfer tax will be on the ballot this November in the five eastern Towns.

“We are thrilled to assist with the purchase of this spectacular Hampton Bays property on the shores of the Peconic Bay,” said Nancy Kelley, Executive Director of the Nature Conservancy on Long Island. “It is one of the our highest priority sites on Long Island and is part of Long Island’s Last Stand – our 10-year plan to protect the most ecologically important remaining parcels left.”