Acting on her commitment to the environment, Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) joined in unanimously passing legislation on Monday, June 4 that will create the Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee (OSPAC). Legislator Jacobs and her Democratic colleagues introduced the legislation earlier this year in an effort to preserve, protect and maintain existing undeveloped open space in Nassau County.

The committee will undertake a thorough and on-going review and evaluation of the county’s open space, parks, and areas of recreational, cultural, archeological, habitat or historic significance or of an otherwise environmentally sensitive nature. The committee will subsequently make recommendations to the County Legislature regarding potential land purchases that would ensure the protection and preservation of the natural environment, as well as historical and scenic resources of the County.

"This committee will provide us the opportunity to make calculated and informed decisions about Nassau County’s future," said Legislator Jacobs, who is the vice chair of the Planning, Development and the Environment committee. "As a result we will be able to preserve the suburban integrity of our communities, while at the same time maximizing their functionality."

According to the Legislator Jacobs, OSPAC will have specific powers and duties to identify opportunities for open space protection and preservation; cultural and historic protection and preservation and park improvements; prioritize these opportunities; and identify and recommend financing mechanisms – including investigating assistance from other levels of government – to fund the acquisition preservation, protection or enhancement of these properties.

The committee will be comprised of nine appointed non-compensatory members. The Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature will make four appointments to the committee, the Minority Leader will make two, and County Executive will appoint three members. All appointees must have experience in or be a representative form an organization dedicated to at least one of the following areas of interest: open space; land use planning; land conservation habitat preservation; archeology; historic, cultural or park preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement; or municipal financing.

The chairman of the committee will be chosen by a vote of at least five OSPAC members. The committee will report to the County Legislature and the County Executive in an ongoing manner, but will be required to report to the County Legislature and the County Executive on June 30 and December 31 of each year.