Suffolk acquiring 6.5 acres in Nissequogue watershed

Suffolk County will announce Thursday that it is acquiring 6.5 acres of woodlands in the Nissequogue River watershed area.

The environmentally sensitive land is known as the Grausso property, located south of Route 25A and east of Indian Head Road in Kings Park.

"This acquisition is a major step forward in our process of protecting the Nissequogue River, a vitally important Long Island Sound tributary," said County Executive Steve Levy. "Our efforts, combined with action taken by New York State officials, will ensure that more than 100 acres of mature, contiguous oak forest will ultimately be preserved forever."

The purchase is part of the county's plan to purchase 100 acres in the area. In 1999, the state turned into parkland 75 waterfront acres at the former Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital. The county has already purchased 10 acres of contiguous property, and looks to buy more woodlands in the area.