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Orange County approves $4 million Open Space Fund appropriation and moves on several land purchases
Summary
The Legislature declared lead‑agency status under SEQRA and approved a $4 million 'funding‑only' appropriation for the Open Space Fund, authorized a $75,000 county contribution toward a 2.1‑acre Chester purchase, and authorized conservation funding and a 9.2‑acre Erie Railroad parcel purchase with SEQRA negative declarations.
On March 5 the Orange County Legislature approved a package of open‑space actions intended to preserve land and fund acquisitions across the county. The body declared itself Lead Agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for a "funding‑only" action to add a $4,000,000 appropriation to the county Open Space Fund (Project No. 128) and found, based on an Environmental Assessment Form, that the funding‑only action will not have significant adverse environmental impacts.
The Legislature also authorized a funding agreement with the Village of Chester to acquire 2.1 acres for open‑space preservation at a maximum purchase cost of $442,500, with the county share not to exceed $75,000. Separately, the Legislature approved a funding agreement with the Town of Warwick for a conservation easement covering 62.6 acres at a maximum cost of $340,000, with the county share capped at $170,000. Another SEQRA item classified the proposed purchase of a 9.2‑acre section of the former Erie Railroad line from the Open Space Institute as an Unlisted Action and issued a Negative Declaration.
Legislator Faggione, speaking in favor of the open‑space measures, recounted a recent watershed hike and said there were “twenty‑nine hikers and one dog,” praising the county’s trails and urging protection of the landscape for future generations. The $4 million appropriation establishes a Notice of Funding Availability for municipalities and nonprofits to seek Open Space Fund awards, with specific projects to be solicited after the appropriation and notice are issued.
All open‑space resolutions passed by recorded unanimous votes (Ayes 20; Absent 1). The resolutions direct the Commissioner of Finance and the Department of Planning to implement the funding and execute agreements subject to County Attorney review.
