Suffolk County, Long Island, New York - February 2009

The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Suffolk County Department of Planning, conducted this study to assist the County in evaluating and prioritizing acquisition of former duck farms for open space purposes. Suffolk County alone owns five former duck farms and shares ownership of three others. Seven additional former duck farm sites have been proposed for open space acquisition by Suffolk County. The object of the study was to assist the County in detailing the environmental concerns associated with past duck farming and their implications for ecosystem restoration; to outline ecosystem restoration measures that can be implemented on the sites; and to provide a tool in assessing restoration of former duck farms.