The Edgewood Preserve was established in 1987 with the support of local community leaders. The New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) owns and manages this irreplaceable 813-acre remnant of transitional forest area comprising pitch pine and scrub oak barrens that sits atop a special groundwater protection area (SGPA).
These shrubby thickets constitute the largest and last single area of oak brush plains on Long Island and are home to a variety of migratory birds and provide prime nesting for several species on New York State’s Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern lists.
Development of an intermodal facility on Pilgrim land and adjacent to the Edgewood Preserve, will destroy more than 40 acres of this unique natural habitat; displace a variety of wildlife species and wipe out the entire amphibian population; upset the natural cycles of birds, animals and insects due to light pollution effects; and fragment a contiguous forest habitat, with likely disastrous effects on the Edgewood Preserve.
The laws that created the Edgewood Preserve in 1987 (Laws of 1987, Chapter 635, Section 7 – go to the page “Albany – Where Laws Are Broken” to download the Laws of 1987 and see for yourself) established that “any land no longer needed by Pilgrim State Hospital now or in the future and where native foliage can reasonably be restored shall be transferred and incorporated into the Edgewood Preserve.” Native foliage has been reasonably restored and, if left alone, will continue to re-establish itself. This site is off limits to development. End of story. Period.
