The North Shore Land Alliance, Inc. (NSLA) strongly supports Senator Carl Marcellino's and Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli's introduction of new legislation that would expand the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to at least $300 million by 2008-09. NSLA equally applauds and supports Governor Pataki's announcement that his budget proposal for 2006 will increase the fund by $30 million, to $180 million.

The skyrocketing price of land on Long Island and the increased pressure of development make private and public efforts to preserve open space very difficult. This increased funding is vital to preserve the last remaining farms and open spaces needed to maintain our quality of life. Without it, public land purchases and conservation agreements on private lands would not be possible.

It has recently been estimated by regional planners that Nassau County is almost completely built out and that Suffolk is five to seven years away from its build-out capacity. Without the foresight and stewardship of dedicated public representatives like these, we will have little chance of preserving the natural resources that define Long Island and have attracted both visitors and residents for so long.

It is reassuring that Governor Pataki, Senator Marcellino and Assemblyman DiNapoli have taken real action to increase the funding so desperately needed to fund land preservation before it's too late. NSLA would like to thank them publicly and to let them know how much our organization and its growing membership appreciates their efforts.

Lisa W. Ott, Executive Director

North Shore Land Alliance, Inc.