§ 20D-7. Criteria.

A. 

Open space and parkland acquisition criteria. The following criteria shall be utilized in determining whether parcels of land, or any interest therein, should be acquired for open space and parkland by the funds:

(1) 

Acquisition of new conservation or recreation land(s) and/or additions to existing parks and preserves.

(2) 

Acquisition to provide connections, buffers, linear and/or trail corridors, to network existing protected open space or parkland.

(3) 

Acquisition to protect and enhance important natural areas of important environmental significance or with rare or unique natural features, including coastal areas, aquifer protection areas, waterfronts, woodlands, historic, cultural or existing recreational resources.

(4) 

Acquisition to further the goals contained in the State Open Space Conservation Plan, State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, State Special Groundwater Protection Plan, Nassau County Comprehensive Plan, Nassau County Groundwater Study or any other similar federal, state or county plans/programs, including those for which matching funding may be available to the town.

(5) 

Acquisition to meet the needs and goals identified by the Town Master Plan.

(6) 

Acquisition to respond to a plan adopted by the Town Board, or formal recommendation(s) from any Town Board-appointed advisory committee, or an acquisition for which matching funds are assured.

B. 

Improvement and environmental enhancement criteria. The following criteria shall be utilized in determining whether improvement or environmental enhancement projects for an environmentally sensitive area, coastal area, waterway or recreational facility should be funded:

(1) 

The project will improve/enhance environmentally sensitive areas or new or existing active or passive recreation lands, including open space, parks, coastal areas, beaches, waterfronts, waterways, wetlands, essential habitats and marinas.

(2) 

The project will further goals contained in the Town Master plan, State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, Nassau County Comprehensive Plan or other similar federal, state or county plans or programs, including those for which matching funding may be available to the town.

(3) 

The project will meet the needs and goals identified in the Town Master Plan, Nassau County Comprehensive Plan, any water quality improvement plan and any subsequent related plans, inventories or updates of such plans or any other federal, state or county water quality improvement program, including those for which matching funds may be available.

(4) 

The project will respond to a plan adopted by the Town Board (e.g., a specific park master plan), or formal recommendation(s) from any Town Board-appointed advisory committee, or a capital parkland project for which matching funds have been assured.

(5) 

The project will restore or enhance degraded wetlands, essential habitats and environmentally sensitive areas.

(6) 

The project will comply with all applicable standards and regulations, including the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the State Coastal Zone Management Act (and state and/or local waterfront revitalization plans drafted in conformance therewith).