NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and John Pavacic, executive director of the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, have announced a settlement with the owners of the Hampton Hills Golf and Country Cub over allegations of violating state laws protecting the Long Island Pine Barrens.
“Long Island’s Pine Barrens are one of New York’s crown natural resource jewels – home to thousands of plant and animal species, and essential to ensuring clean, healthy drinking water for millions of Long Island residents,” Schneiderman said. “The owners of the Hamptons Hills Golf Course chose to ignore the law protecting the Pine Barrens, and this settlement holds them accountable.”
The defendants – Hampton Hills Associates – allegedly violated the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act by developing real estate inside the “core” preservation area of the Pine Barrens without acquiring the necessary wavers from the commission. The defendants will pay a $75,000 fine and must develop a plan to revegetate the impacted area.
“We are very grateful for the efforts of Attorney General Schneiderman in vigorously enforcing the Pine Barrens Act and pursuing a swift and sure resolution that continues to protect the considerable natural resources of the Central Pine Barrens,” Pavacic said. “We are confident the penalty in this case will serve as a significant deterrent in the future for those who may contemplate violating the act and potentially causing harm to the Pine Barrens ecosystem."