Officials Tour Hampton Bays Area Following Infestation of Southern Pine Beetle

Several officials were taken on a tour of Henry’s Hollow Pine Barrens State Forest and Munns Pond County Park, both in Hampton Bays, following the treatment of the area after a large infestation of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) was discovered on the site in November of 2014.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) staff took New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, and New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele on the tour on Wednesday.

The event was part of Invasive Species Awareness Week from July 12 to July 18, and is designed to raise awareness about invasive species and to encourage all New Yorkers to take action to protect lands and waters from invasive species that can be harmful to human health, animal habitat, agriculture and tourism.

“DEC has worked diligently to slow the spread of Southern Pine Beetle throughout the Long Island Region,” Acting Region One Director Ajay Shah said. “The work done at the Henry’s Hollow and Munn’s Pond location shows that if we are dedicated, we can successfully manage this new threat. I would like to thank all the municipalities, agencies and organizations, along with our elected officials, for continuing to support Southern Pine Beetle management in New York.”

Over 2,000 infested pine trees were cut down in order to suppress the infestation this winter.

After initial inspections and flyovers, the effort has drastically reduced the beetle numbers and completely eliminated them from some areas.

DEC also toured a SPB control site in East Quogue which has received no management and shows the widespread affect SPB can create when left untreated.

The DEC will focus new efforts at Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest where a small infestation has been identified.