Alec Baldwin Joins Environmentalists At Packed 'Kill the Hills' Rally

Waving signs that read "Save Our Water, Save Our Pine Barrens," a crowd including actor Alec Baldwin packed the Dark Horse Restaurant in Riverhead Wednesday afternoon to protest a proposed development in East Quogue they say could have devastating environmental impacts.

Baldwin teamed with East End environmentalists for "Kill the Hills," rally organized to protect the development of an 18-hole, private golf course with 118 residences and a 155,760 square foot clubhouse/catering facility on a 594-acres site in the Pine Barrens of Southampton,

Baldwin, the Pine Barrens Society, Group for the East End and the Southampton Water Protection Alliance asked all in attendance to sign a petition supporting a review of the proposed “Hills” development in East Quogue by the New York State Central Pine Barrens Commission.

According to Dick Amper, executive director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, the development is the largest ever proposed for the Pine Barrens.

The Pine Barrens Commission was created by the New York State Legislature to ensure comprehensive review of all major developments pitched for the Pine Barrens. Environmentalists at the event Wednesday said the Pine Barrens Commission has an obligation to review The Hills application as early in the process as possible.

Arizona-based Discovery Land Company is seeking to build "The Hills at Southampton" on 500 acres of land that's part of the Pine Barrens.

Baldwin began his by blasting Southampton's planned development district zoning, calling it "Let's make a deal zoning."

The golf course development was proposed through a planned development district, or PDD, which requires a majority town board vote for approval. Planned development districts allow a developer greater density than allowed by existing zoning on a parcel, in exchange for community benefits.

Baldwin questioned the "so-called community benefits" of a private golf course.

Many, including he, have opposed the project due to its potential negative impacts on the environment, he said

Shinnecock Bay, Baldwin said, is already seeing the impacts of environmental degradation, including brown tides and harmful algal blooms due to nitrogen overloading and said fertilizer and pesticides would further threaten the fragile ecosystem.

He reminded that Southampton Town's current five acre zoning allows for one home on five acres.

When the project, which is on its third-go round before the town board, was initially proposed Suffolk County Legislator and then Councilwoman Bridget Fleming voted "no," Baldwin said. After "long, torturous reviews," the current attempt is the third for the draft environmental impact statement, which has never gotten the green light.

"We are saying, 'Three strikes and you're out,'" Baldwin said.

He said the Pine Barrens Commission should review the proposal "without further delay."

Baldwin, to thunderous applause, urged the crowd to sign the petition. "Thank you for caring about Long Island and the environment," he said.

Bob DeLuca, president and CEO of Group for the East End, said that as of right zoning changed in the 70s when environmental impacts of projects became a priority. It's critical, he said, for the Pine Barrens Commission to weigh in as soon as possible.

"Let's get moving before we find ourselves behind the eight ball," he said.

Amper reminded that "Water itself doesn't know geographic boundaries," and the impacts of the project on local waterways will be felt across the East End.

Spilka said just be showing up, the crowd demonstrated their interest and passion for the environment; she urged all to sign the petition.

New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, who was supposed to be in Washington, had a delayed flight. "When Southwest doesn't fly, I don't have a gigantic jet with 'Thiele,'" on the side," he joked. "I was supposed to be at the White House but I'm at the Dark Horse instead and I'd rather be here."

Playing his own version of Match Game, Thiele said "The Hills and land preservation" were "not a match. The Hills and water quality protection? Not a match. The Hills and protecting the area's rural character? Not a match."

But the Hills and preservation, he said, were an absolute match. "The only question that is baffling me is why we are still looking at this project," he said.

Added Amper, to enthusiastic clapping, "We will Kill the Hills!"

Baldwin, who lives in East Hampton, has recorded a televised public service announcement against “The Hills” and is active in land preservation and water quality protection across Long Island.

The Pine Barrens Commission has jurisdiction over all development in the Pine Barrens; the group opposes the possibility of a PDD on the parcel.

Of the rally, organizers said, "This is a compelling way to insist on a proper review of this dreadful project. Nearby Shinnecock Bay is already experiencing a brown tide, caused by nitrogen contamination, which 'The Hills' project would only make worse and more frequent."

Last week, after years of heated debate, Southampton Town extended an offer to preserve "The Hills" parcel in East Quogue.

For years, the community has stood divided on the project for an expanse of vacant acreage on Spinney Road off Lewis Road. Those in support say it will be a boon to the economy, while other argue the project is detrimental to the environment.

The property is located within a groundwater recharge area and has been the focus of development plans for many years.

Now, the Southampton Town Board has extended an offer to purchase 592 acres in East Quogue owned by Arizona based-Discovery Land Corporation.

The offer was made through use of Community Preservation Fund revenue, Schneiderman said. If accepted, the purchase would be the largest single land acquisition in the history of the CPF program, the supervisor added.

Although Schneiderman did not initially release the price offered, he said it was "significantly higher" than the price paid by Discovery Land for the property.

In addition, he said the town had authorized two appraisals to determine the fair market value for the land.

The proposed golf course development has met both opposition and support and is currently under environmental review.

For years, civic groups and residents have spoken out on both sides of the issue.

Schneiderman said he has has been working to preserve the large block of woodland property for more than a decade, both as a Suffolk County Legislator and at town level.

Back in 2011, then-County Legislator Schneiderman sponsored a resolution to acquire the property in joint ownership with the Town of Southampton.

Efforts screeched to a halt in May 2013 when a past property owner was unwilling to accept the offer, which was below the price they had paid to acquire the land.

“I cannot proceed in good conscience with the review process without making a good faith effort to preserve the property,” Schneiderman said last week.

According to Schneiderman, the property owner consented to have the property appraised for the purpose of entertaining an offer for preservation.

Although “The Hills” pre-dates the PDD moratorium, fierce controversy over the development played a role in the town’s decision to enact the moratorium on new proposals, Schneiderman said.

“We are hopeful Discovery Land will accept this significant offer," Schneiderman said.

“Although some members of the community are supportive of the golf course development,” Southampton Town Councilman John Bouvier said that he believes, “the best ‘course’ for the property is preservation.”

Requests for comment from Discovery Land were not immediately returned.