The Oyster Bay Town Board officially adopted the Town of Oyster Bay Groundwater and Open Space Protection Plan at its Feb. 13 meeting.

"Protection of the groundwater and open space has been a priority of my administration," said Supervisor John Venditto stated. "Zoning and development issues within the Special Groundwater Protection Area (SGPA), which covers a large part of the town's north shore, have already been addressed through the adoption of the Aquifer Protection Overlay District (APO), the creation of the Recreation (REC) zoning districts and several other rezonings, which lowered maximum development density on certain environmentally sensitive properties."

The Town of Oyster Bay Groundwater and Open Space Protection Plan concerns those areas outside the SGPA, excluding incorporated villages and certain parcels less than two acres in size and not currently used as a storm water recharge basin.

The plan identifies open space, recreational, and environmental and groundwater resource protection opportunities, and recommends ways in which to properly manage or preserve these resources.

"The Town of Oyster Bay Groundwater and Open Space Protection Plan represents an important undertaking by the town and is one more step to maximize our efforts toward protecting our precious groundwater and our remaining open spaces," Venditto said. "It gives the town board the tools to maintain and enhance all the benefits of open space that make up the character of the town and protect the 'green infrastructure' of our communities."