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Dick Cavett Accepts Government Offer To Protect Oceanfront Property In Montauk

A Preservation Goal for 20 Years

East Hampton, NY — August 4, 2008 — Protection of the globally rare Montauk Moorlands has received a significant boost with the acceptance of a joint State-County-Town offer by Richard Cavett, owner of an oceanfront parcel of nearly 77 acres. 

The offer of $18 million, to be paid in equal shares by the three governments, is subject to execution of contracts and various governmental approvals, including a public hearing and vote scheduled by the East Hampton Town Board for August 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Cavett’s property has long been a priority for preservation. Nearly half of the property consists of scenic bluffs along the Atlantic Ocean and freshwater wetlands that support several state rare species. Public acquisition of the parcel will add to the State-County-Town acquisition of the neighboring 125-acre Amsterdam Beach property in 2005.

“We are thrilled that Mr. Cavett has accepted the offer,” said Nancy Kelley, executive director of The Nature Conservancy on Long Island, which negotiated the deal with Mr. Cavett and advocated for funding by the State, County and Town as part of its Long Island’s Last Stand land preservation campaign. “It is not an exaggeration so say that we have worked toward this outcome for 20 years.” 

“We greatly appreciate the financial support from Suffolk County and New York State,” said William McGintee, supervisor of East Hampton Town. East Hampton will fund its $6 million share of the acquisition from the Community Preservation Fund, a 2% transfer tax on real estate sales. “This is a key parcel for us to protect,” said McGintee, “one that demonstrates exceedingly well the importance of having the CPF.”

State Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Fred Thiele praised the proposed acquisition.

Said Assemblyman Thiele: "The acquisition of the Cavett property is a welcome addition to an already world class park system in Montauk. Even during these difficult economic times, this is an investment in the public good that needed to be made. Only through an intergovernmental partnership between the State, County, and Town could this important land be preserved. Further, the role of The Nature Conservancy in spearheading the negotiations was critical. TNC has been the major catalyst for this successful partnership. I have worked on a number of important conservation partnerships through the years beginning with Hither Woods. I was pleased to put that experience to use during several critical points of the negotiations."

State Senator Ken LaValle applauded the proposed use of the CPF for the Cavett purchase.

"As an author of the legislation that allowed for the creation of the Community Preservation Fund, I am pleased that revenues collected through this program, along with additional state and county funding, will help the Town of East Hampton to acquire this valuable piece of oceanfront property," said Senator LaValle. "The cooperative efforts of the state, county, and town will benefit the local community and serve to protect and preserve Long Island's environment for many years to come."

Erik Kulleseid, deputy director for land acquisition of the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said the State has long recognized the importance of the Cavett parcel. “The entire 265 acres of the Montauk Moorlands has been a State conservation priority for years, and we are pleased to support the Town and County in their efforts to protect this important parcel.”

Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive, also thanked the State for its support.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.