NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A landscaping supply business settled to pay thousands for destroying protected land on Long Island, which served as a key source of drinking water, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Friday.
In October 2012, Stephen Affatato and his company Affa Organics, Inc. illegally removed trees and vegetation from the Pine Barrens, a protected land on Long Island located on top of the region's largest drinking water source, according to an investigation by the AOG.
“Long Island’s Pine Barrens are among New York’s most precious natural resources, and their protection is paramount to the health of Long Island’s drinking water and our shared environment,” James said.
Affatato, without obtaining a waiver, bulldozed and excavated soil, cut down trees, and cleared natural ground cover, harming the delicate ecosystem and destroying acres of land.
In 1993, New York implemented the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act, forming the Pine Barrens Commission to protect the area which designated 55,000 acres as a core preservation zone and required permits from the commission for any development activities.
These violations were observed by Pine Barrens Commission staff during a site visit to the property. James acknowledged the Town of Brookhaven, which issued a Notice of Violation in 2012 and was “instrumental throughout the case.
“Stephen Affatato ignored the law and destroyed protected land for his own benefit, and now he must repair the damage and restore the area,” James said.
The settlement imposes a $100,000 penalty on Affatato. He will pay for the complete site restoration plan, including “soil excavation, deer fencing, site grading, replanting of native plant species, sediment and erosion control, and monitoring and reporting, among other requirements.” Additionally, he must pay an extra $200,000 if his company doesn't fully restore the site.
“One of the most important aspects of our work at the Central Pine Barrens Commission is protecting lands preserved by municipalities with taxpayer dollars so all Suffolk residents as well as visitors can fully appreciate all the region has to offer,” said Pine Barrens Commission Executive Director Judy Jakobsen.