Rockland Requests Open Space Acquisition Applications

Rockland County's Division of Environmental Resources is now accepting applications for the County's revitalized Open Space Acquisition Program.

"We invite residents to submit nominations of properties that will help us preserve open space and protect our County's environment and beauty for future generations," Rockland County Executive Ed Day shares. "I am committed to safeguarding our environment and working with the County Legislature to do so in a way that is fiscally responsible and fair to our taxpayers."

The program was first launched in 1999 by former County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef to acquire areas of scenic beauty, environmentally sensitive lands, farms, and Hudson River waterfront areas.

Until Rockland County's fiscal difficulties during the national recession caused the program to be suspended in 2010, 31 individual properties were acquired, preserving 1,204 acres of land. A total of $23,300,000 in County funds were expended, while $11,576,000 in State grants and partnerships with Land Trusts and local municipalities were leveraged. 

After the program's revival in 2019, the County has so far preserved another three properties encompassing 25 acres of land, as reported in April by Rockland Daily here.

Information and guidelines about the Open Space program, as well as nomination forms, are available here. The County Division of Environmental Resources is also available for questions at 845-364-2670. 

As part of updating the program, nomination forms are now form-fillable and can be submitted via email.

After a nomination form is submitted, it will be reviewed by an internal Open Space Advisory Committee made up of representatives from the Division of Environmental Resources, Department of Planning, Department of Health, Office of Fire and Emergency Services, and the Rockland County Drainage Agency. Subsequent steps include:

• Determination made that the property owner is interested in selling.
• Field inspection and rating of each property based on the Open Space Guidelines.
• Appraisal of property.
• The County Executive's Office determines to proceed with the purchase, and the resolution is prepared and submitted to the County Legislature.

Photo Credit: New York State Parks and Historic Sites