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The Town of Brookhaven is moving closer to something it’s never seen before.
At least not en masse.
The town has appealed to New York State, which is now looking to buy out occupied homes on Long Island’s South Shore to make way for nature.
It all comes as part of a years-long, larger effort to restore and protect the town’s southern coastline.
Brookhaven is currently working with Albany through the state’s new Blue Buffers Voluntary Buyout Program, which encourages the purchase of properties in areas prone to repeated flooding. The goal is to let nature reclaim the land and restore coastal ecosystems.
The state is looking at locations across Long Island, including potential buyout areas in Mastic Beach and Patchogue.
The program is funded through the state’s $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, which includes the Blue Buffer initiative announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in January.
Until now, the town has mostly acquired abandoned homes severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 — and other major weather events.
But that’s about to change.
The Blue Buffer program will now focus on buying out homes that are occupied and with owners willing to sell and leave the flood zone, said Luke Ormand, senior environmental analyst for the town.
These homes could cost about a half a million dollars each, which is too expensive for the town’s budget — but is doable with money in the bond act.
“If we can have the state come in and earmark a couple million dollars to acquire these properties, that bolsters our salt marsh project and can really fill in the gaps,” Ormand said.
Protecting the marsh
Brookhaven has already acquired roughly 300 properties in southern Mastic Beach alone since Sandy. Most were vacant properties containing wetlands or frequently inundated with chronic flooding.
At less than four feet in elevation, the area is prone to standing water that doesn’t recede easily.
“The town’s been purchasing these and putting them into open space so they’ll never, ever be built upon,” said Alan Duckworth, an environmental analyst with the town. “It’s a protection for the town and for the residents that live down there as well.”
The town is hoping for about $2 million from New York’s Department of State to support the project.
Back in 2020, Brookhaven purchased 106 parcels for $1.3 million, with help from The Nature Conservancy, which kicked in $250,000.
The international nonprofit also awarded additional grant funding last year to help buy two more properties.
A natural defense
Environmental advocates say preserving and expanding salt marshes isn’t just good for wildlife and storm resiliency— it also helps clean our water.
“The wetlands protect us,” said Maura Spery, president of the Mastic Beach Conservancy. “They protect our water supply. A lot of the runoff, if it goes through the wetlands, it kind of purifies it on the way down.”
Duckworth said many longtime homeowners had grown tired of the repeated flooding, so the town is helping facilitate the purchase of their properties at fair market value.
Brookhaven also sets aside money annually for open space purchases and regularly applies for grants to support the work.
What’s next
In June, town officials met again with state representatives to discuss how the Blue Buffer program could strengthen their existing efforts.
“They identified two areas within the Town of Brookhaven that would be most ideal for the program and really fits the criteria,” Ormand said.
Public discussions about the project are expected toward the end of summer and beginning of fall.
Correction: The initial reporting in this article incorrectly indicated the town would pay for the properties using state money. But the state purchases the properties entirely on its own. The town only assists in identifying flood prone areas, and with outreach.
Photos: Since Superstorm Sandy, the Town of Brookhaven has acquired more than 300 properties as part of its salt marsh restoration project in Mastic Beach. Until now, the town has mainly purchased unoccupied homes. (Credit: Ben Fiebert photos)
