Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, REF - Sag Harbor) today announced his legislation, which would expand the Peconic Bay Community Preservation Fund to include projects that will help preserve and protect the maritime heritage of Long Island's East End, passed the Assembly in a 142-2 vote (A.8195, same as A.6379 LaValle).

The Peconic Bay Regional Community Preservation Fund is a public program managed by each of the five East End Towns on Long Island (Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island, Riverhead and Southold) for the protection of farmland, open space, and community character. Since its inception in 1999, the Community Preservation Fund has generated $1.406 billion to protect over 10,000 acres of land on the East End. The program was amended in 2015, where 80% voters on the East End approved the extension the provisions of the CPF through the year 2050 and allowed up to 20% of the funds to be utilized for water quality improvement projects. This legislation would further expand the Community Preservation Fund, by broadening the definition of “preservation of community character” to include projects that will help preserve and protect the maritime heritage of Long Island's East End.

“This legislation is necessary to further expand upon the provisions of the CPF to help preserve and protect the lands surrounding the waters that are essential in keeping the historic fishing industry thriving and enhance resources that are significant to the East End's waterfront economy,” Assemblyman Thiele stated. “I am pleased to see the advancement of this bill and look forward to continuing to work towards its ultimate passage by both Houses during the 2020 Session.”

This bill remained in the Senate Rules Committee at the close of the 2019 Legislative Session.