The Society to Preserve Underhill, a coalition of over 50 environmental and civic groups, premiered a six-minute video, which depicts the historical, environmental and aesthetic significance of the Underhill property.

The video will be used to promote the society's efforts to preserve Underhill and it will also be used as an educational tool to provide the public with a glimpse of the open space that Underhill has to offer. Since the property is privately owned, the general public is banned from the land at the present time and unable to see the property and thus the need for this video.

Concerned citizens across Long Island have been fighting to preserve the 81-acre Underhill Property in Jericho for many years. It is one of the last large, privately owned, underdeveloped parcels left in Nassau County, which overlies a federally-designated Sole Source Aquifer and is in a state-designated Special Groundwater Protection Area - essential for the protection of drinking water in Nassau County.

The property has been targeted for development of a 270-unit housing project - which residents say will pollute groundwater, increase taxes for new government services and destroy open space and a major historical site.

"For so many years, government officials have been promising to preserve this land to protect drinking water for our children and grandchildren," said Joseph Lorintz, president of the Society to Preserve Underhill. "We have carried our fight to the courts and won. And now the citizens of the Town of Oyster Bay have spoken by passing an environmental bond referendum, by an overwhelming margin, which will allow our town officials to establish a fund to preserve open space. It is time for all government officials, on every level, to carry out the will of the people and once and for all preserve this land."

Lorintz spoke to those in attendance at the recent video premiere, which was held at Papa Razzi restaurant in Westbury, and expressed the need for everyone to support the preservation of this property. He was joined by Richard Amper, executive director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society and also the producer and director of the video; Donald Pupke, general counsel to the Society to Preserve Underhill, and William and Ellen Doremus whose property neighbors the Underhill property. Before the video was shown, it was mentioned that there were no professional actors in this video, but rather it starred adults and children that care about the property and who want to see it saved.

Lorintz explained that there are three parcels that comprise the total 125 acres of land in question. The Doremus family owns the first parcel of 19 acres. The 81 acres are the disputable property and the other 25 acres on the northern part of the property are part of the Jericho Park District. "For the price of acquiring 81 acres, we get the full 125," said Lorintz. The Doremus' have pledged their right to development on their 19 acres of land.

"Despite the fact that Nassau residents gave the 1996 Clean Air/Clean Water environmental bond referendum its largest margin of victory, no money has been spent protecting open space here," said Lorintz. "There are no excuses anymore. The county, the state and the federal government must work with the Town of Oyster Bay to preserve Underhill and they must do so now. We cannot allow another bond fund to deplete without Underhill receiving its fair share."

This issue of preserving the Underhill property has gained bipartisan support. "I can now talk to both United States Senators," joked Assemblyman David Sidikman at the recent gathering. "I will do my part to obtain federal money to preserve this beautiful piece of property."

Next for Underhill, according to Lorintz, is to absolutely ensure that everyone on every level of government appreciates the need to preserve the property and to show as many people as possible the video. "The more people that see this video and see what we are trying to do, the more support we have and as we gain more support, it makes preservation of the property that much more of a priority," said Lorintz.

Copies of the video will be distributed to elected officials, support groups, libraries, schools and video stores. In addition, any group wishing to present the video to its membership may request a copy for that purpose by contacting Joseph Lorintz at 681-2096. Those who created the video and are committed to preserving the property feel that the video speaks for itself. "To see Underhill is to appreciate it; to appreciate it is to save it," Amper said to a round of applause as residents attempted to clap as they wiped tears from their eyes after seeing the video.