Two Items of Local Interest

And now to the Suffolk County Legislature:
A bill to allow conservation easements on “working waterfronts” property goes before the Suffolk County Legislature on Sept 3 (Introductory resolution 1520). The bill is designed to keep property that has historically been used for maritime purposes from being used for other purposes, protecting threatened industries including fishing, recreational boating, aquaculture, and marine repair.
According to the text of the legislation, Suffolk County is home to 2,949 maritime-related businesses employing 38,419 people.  Three of the largest commercial ports in NY are on the East End, in Montauk, Greenport, and Hampton Bays
If adopted, the law would allow owners of property considered working waterfront to apply to a new, 17-member Working Waterfront Committee that would determine if the property meets the criteria for a conservation easement. Similar to existing land preservation programs, the county would purchase conservation easements on the properties that qualify, ensuring that the property remains used as a working waterfront in perpetuity.  
Link to the Suffolk Count Resolution text:
Link here to an article about a recent public hearing on the subject: