Editorial: Plan must protect the Carmans
A swan takes flight along the marsh on the Carmans River in the Town of Brookhaven (Nov. 15, 2010) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Finding the right balance between development and preservation, to protect the Carmans River corridor in Brookhaven, has been complex. Both developers and environmentalists have strong views, and Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko calls the plan a priority.
This Thursday, the town board will consider the latest version -- the result of intense discussions over such issues as "receiving areas." Those are places in the town where developers will be allowed to build multifamily housing, at a density greater than current zoning. That's compensation for land where they are no longer permitted to build, in the pine barrens core preservation area, which the State Legislature expanded to protect the Carmans.
This river is still clean, despite the polluting effects of sprawl, and this plan must keep it that way.
