I just received the following E-mail from the North Shore Land Alliance. The Smithers property, for those of you who do not know, is located in Mill Neck at the intersection of Chicken Valley Rd. and Oyster Bay Rd (Mill Hill Rd.) where the blinking yellow light is. It has two ponds on it, as well as many of the fresh water springs that supply Shu Swamp and in turn, Beaver Dam and Mill Neck Creek. It is directly upstream of Shu Swamp and its acquisition would create a continuous preserve all the way to the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Losing the opportunity to protect this property would be a grave mistake.

Barry E. Lamb

Bayville

Smither's Ponds, Mill Neck

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PROTECT THIS LOCAL TREASURE!!

On Monday, February 11th, the Nassau County Legislature had the opportunity to authorize the purchase of the 25- acre Smither's Property in Mill Neck as the first of the open space acquisitions for the 2006 Environmental Bond Program. Based on its beauty, environmental significance and proximity to the Shu Swamp Preserve, it was the Bond Advisory Committee's first choice.

The legislators did not authorize the acquisition and in fact, tabled the vote until Monday, February 25th. This means we have less than 2 weeks to convince them that the Smither's Property is unique, wonderful and an important part of our community certainly worthy of acquisition!

We are writing you today to ask that you call, write or e-mail our elected officials and tell them how important the Smither's property is to our area. Attached are some facts that might help you with your messages but the most compelling of arguments are the ones that come from your heart.

Thank you in advance for taking action to protect our open spaces. Your letters, notes and/or phone calls should be sent to the following by February 21st:

Person/Address

County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi
1 West Street, Mineola, NY 11501
tsuozzi@nassaucountyny.gov
516-571-3131

Majority Leader Diane Yatauro
1 West Street, Mineola, NY 11501
dyatauro@nassaucountyny.gov
516-571-6218

Minority Leader Peter Schmitt
1 West Street, Mineola, NY 11501
pschmitt@attglobal.net
516-571-6212

Please call us with any questions you might have. 516-626-0908

 
SMITHER'S PROPERTY FACT SHEET

The 25-acre Smither's property located inthe village of Mill Neck is an integral part of the State designated Shu Swamp Protection Area. It was listed as a priority acquisition in the 2006 NewYork State Open Space Plan. The acquisition of the Smither's Property alongwith a small portion of the Humes property will connect a series of previously identified important conservation lands which together will encompass almost 200 acres.

Understanding the important biological diversity and significance of this area, the non-profit North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in the 1960's to begin to preserve this area of exceptional environmental value. They raised private funds to open the Shu Swamp Preserve, the center of the designated conservation area, built trails and aparking area so that it could be shared with the public.

This area is home to several state endangered and "unusual" plants, brook trout, a nesting area for great horned owls and ruby throated hummingbirds. North Shore Audubon reported that the Smithers Pond had the largest population of wood ducks seen in all of Nassau County at this year’s Christmas Bird Count.

There is a stand of very rare tulip trees that have not been cut since the 1860's. (The last exceptional standof tulip trees brought to our attention was located in Grace Forest in NorthHills and was lost to development in 2006.)

The Smither's property which has been in private hands and unaccessible to the public prior to this time is the most important link in connecting this significant conservation area.

Smithers was ranked first on the Environmental Bond Advisory Committee’s list because of both its beauty and its environmental significance.

Island Swamp Brook and Mill Neck Creek are fed by the Smither's Ponds which empty into Beaver Lake. All three bodies are considered significant freshwater wetlands within the Oyster Bay Special Groundwater Protection Area. Mill Neck Creek's wetlands have also been identified as Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat by the New York Department of State.

Stewardship for this property will be provided by the North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary at no additional cost to the County. The Shu Swamp preserve is open to the public and provides a plentiful parking area as well as designated trails.

Preventing Smither's from being acquired would be a real disservice to the 77% of Nassau County's residents that voted so enthusiastically to fund the 2006 Environmental Bond Program.