Over the years Long Island has developed into a region populated by a diverse and talented people. Formed by the coming of two glaciers, populated by Indian Tribes whose names continue to grace its towns and villages, home to Puritans, and refuge for Quakers, it remains an area of great beauty and vast potential. That potential, however is threatened by the unremitting eastward march of suburban sprawl. Sprawl, a type of development characterized by scattered, consumptive development, destroys cherished farms, and woodlands, and condemns this island of beauty and charm to a future of undistinguished, and congested places.

When the opportunity arises to halt this wasteful development trend, and to save a truly special place, Long Islanders must pull together. Such an opportunity has arisen in an unlikely place.

Within the Coram, Gordon Heights, Medford area, lies a triangle of pristine beauty. Four hundred to five hundred acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows stretch for four hundred and fifty acres miraculously undeveloped and undiscovered. The triangle runs between Granny Road to the south, Mill Road to the east and north, and Route 112 to the west The Coram Ponds or Overton Preserve is a natural treasure which overlies the source of some of the islands purest drinking water.

DRINKING WATER

Long Islanders get their drinking water from a system of underground lakes, known as aquifers These aquifers can be easily contaminated by activity on the surface. Contaminants, such as household sewage; fertilizers and pesticides used on lawns, farmland and golf courses, are carried by rainwater into the source of our drinking water.

Because our ground water is a critical Long Island resource the federal Environmental Protection Agency designated our drinking water system as the nationıs first Sole Source aquifer, requiring special protection. New York State divided Long Island into Special Groundwater Protection Areas or SGPAs and hydrogeological zones. Hydrogeologic zone III contains Long Islandıs highest quality ground water and was recommended in Suffolk Countyıs SGPA Plan for special protection.

The Overton Property is located in Hydrogeological Zone III and is in a Special Groundwater Protection Area (SGPA) Still real estate developers, putting profits over responsibility, have proposed 5 separate developments which will carve up and decimate the area. To add insult to injury the Town of Brookhaven has approved the transfer of 210 additional units to the property.

HISTORY

The Overton Preserve is ripe with history. According to tradition the name of Coram was taken from the Indian Wincoram. who lived in the area known as Coram hills, where the Overton Property is now located, as late as May 1703.

Two of the earliest colonial settlers to this triangle were the Reverend. Noah Hammond who built the first Baptist church and ran a school in his home in the northern section of the triangle . David Overton built his home around 1740 at the south end of the triangle.

As the storm clouds of the Revolution approached these men and their sons became patriots supporting the American cause. In 1780 it came to General George Washingtonıs attention that the British had stored 300 tons of hay at Coram to be used by the British Cavalry. In one of the most daring exploits of the Revolution in Brookhaven Town General Washington in a letter to Benjamin Tallmadge ordered the hay destroyed, and approved the capture of Fort St. George at Smith Point.

"headquarters November 11, the, 1780 Sir: - I have received your letter of the 7th instant. The destruction of the forage collected for the use of the British army at Coram upon Long Island is of much consequence that I should advise the attempt to be made. I have written to Col. Sheldon to furnish you a detachment of dismounted dragoons, and will commit the execution to you. If the party at Smith's house can be attempted without frustrating the other design, or running to great a hazard, I have no objection. But you must remember that this is only a secondary object, and in all cases, you will take the most prudent means to secure a retreat. Confiding entirely in your prudence as well as enterprise, and wishing you success. I am yours and c., G. Washington"

The Americans led by Colonial Benjamin Tallmadge marched up David Overton Road passing the Overton Farm. Overtonıs youngest son, Nehemiah joined the group and according to family tradition was the first to set the hay afire.

AN ECOLOGICAL GEM

The values inherent in the proposed preserve lands are abundant. They possess numerous ecological, geological, and hydrogeological values which include endangered plant, ecosystem and animal species. The wedge is the largest significant area of pine barrens outside of the core preserve. The NY Natural Heritage program lists the Overton Wedge as containing 4 ponds, and wetlands, and an oak-pine heath. The New York State endangered tiger salamander breeds in three of four of the vernal ponds found in the southern portion of the wedge. The wedge is home to a large variety of animal species including; bobwhites, scarlet tanagers, and myriad warblers.

Further beyond the intrinsic value of these lands, they possess great importance as open space and serve as a crucial piece to a much larger greenbelt system.

THE PRESERVATION EFFORT

Working feverishly to insure proper preservation and planning for Overton Preserve, the coalition has blue-lined the lands they wish to be preserved and are using vehicles which would accomplish this. These include outright acquisition, conservation easements, and planning that would transfer density from the preserve to appropriate centers of growth. The vision from the Coalition for acquisition includes leveraged funding through partnerships between the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York State, and various private sources. The design for the Preserve includes maintaining wild lands, retaining secret, unexplored corners -- surprises of nature, returning Overton Road to its former rustic value, weaving sites of history while preserving habitat for endangered and diminishing species of plants and animals.

A working colonial farm and visitor center is envisioned at a former farm to the north of Overton Road, which links the 450 acres to the south with more than three hundred acres of county-owned wetlands and woods to the north, and ultimately, to the Town of Brookhavenıs historic Davis House. These eight hundred acres ultimately link up with other surrounding greenbelts to the north and east.

OVERTON PRESERVE COALITION

The following organizations are working together to ensure the preservation of this special place.

ABCO (The Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organization), Country Road Block Association, Greater Gordon Heights Civic Association, Longwood Alliance, Long Island Pine Barrens Society, Long Island Progressive Coalition, Medford Taxpayers and Civic Association, Middle Island Civic Association, Open Space Council, Nature Conservancy, Neighborhood Network, Vision Long Island, Open Space Preservation Trust

Coalition Coordinators: Karen Blumer, Connie Kepert, Don Seubert

WHAT YOU CAN DO

It is only through the collective voices of those who appreciate the environmental, historical, economic and quality of life significance of the Overton Preserve that this great treasure will be preserved. Armed with the facts contained herein, you are urged to contact state, county and town officials to urge them to pursue a joint plan for preservation by acquisition. Call or write today.

NEW YORK STATE:

Governor George Pataki Executive Chamber Albany, New York 12224 (518) 474-8390

State Senator Ken LaValle 325 Middle Country Rd. Selden, NY 11784 631-696-6900

Assemblywoman Pat Eddington 38 Oak St. Suite #5 Patchogue, NY 11772 631-207-0073

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Country Executive Steve Levy P.O. Box 6100 H. Lee Denison 100 Vets Hwy. Building Hauppauge, NY 11788 631-853-4000

Legislator Brian Foley 27 Havens Ave. Patchogue, NY 11772 631-854-1400

TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN

Supervisor John J. LaValle 3233 Rte. 112 Medford, NY 11763 631-451-6640

Finally, please help the nonprofit, nonpartisan Overton Preserve Coalition with a tax-deductible contribution, so that we can continue to coordinate efforts to preserve the Overton parcel. Become a Friend of Overton.

Send Contributions to:

Friends of the Overton Preserve c/o The Open Space Council or The Longwood Alliance

Earmarked for the Overton Preserve