Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Empowering Communities, Advocating Solutions.
- Water Protection
- Aquatic Invasive Species
- Broadwater: Liguefied Natural Gas Facility
- Carmans River
- Great Lakes
- Long Island Sound Dredged Materials
- Long Island Sound Protection
- Millstone Nuclear Power Station
- MTBE Pollution in Drinking Water
- Ocean Protection
- Onondaga Lake
- Owasco Lake
- Sewage Pollution
- Wetlands Protection
- SPECIAL FEATURE: Great Lakes Conference
- SPECIAL FEATURE: Long Island Groundwater
- SPECIAL FEATURE: Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve
- SPECIAL FEATURE: New York State Sewer Scorecard Report
- Public Health, Toxics, and Recycling
- Acid Rain
- Artificial Turf
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- Human Pesticide Testing
- Lawn Pesticides: An Unacceptable Risk
- Manufactured Gas Plants on Long Island
- Mercury Pollution
- New York State's Bottle Bill
- Pesticide Free Schools
- Pesticide Neighbor Notification
- Pesticides: Mosquito Control / West Nile Virus
- Plastic Bag Reduction
- SPECIAL FEATURE: Current Local Air Quality
- SPECIAL FEATURE: Long Island Recycling
- Open Space and Working Landscapes
- Climate Change and Energy Policy
- Legislative Campaigns
CAMPAIGNS
Davids Island
Now Is the Time to Protect Davids Island, Forever!
Davids Island is a rare, undeveloped, 78-acre island located ¼ mile off the coast of New Rochelle in Long Island Sound. Right now, Westchester County is in a unique position to purchase, restore and protect this island for generations to come!
Development
Pressure Continues
Osprey’s nest on Davids Island
Over the years there have been many development proposals, ranging from a nuclear power plant to high-end condos. Fortunately, none of them have succeeded, but there remains constant pressure to develop the island. Throughout the county we are seeing open space disappear at an unprecedented rate. More than 90% of Long Island Sound’s coastline is already developed, making it difficult for the public to access. This is a rare opportunity in which Westchester can preserve and protect 78 acres of waterfront land on the Sound for the public to access and enjoy!
The closest municipalities to Davids Island – New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Mt. Vernon and Larchmont – currently contain about five acres of parkland per 1000 residents. This is comparable to New York City, where there is approximately 7.2 acres per 1000 residents. Ten acres per 1000 residents is considered optimal.
History
of Davids Island
Beginning just after the Civil War, Davids Island was
a military base that represented a microcosm of New
York’s involvement in U.S. military history by
protecting New York Harbors, operating a recruitment
station during World War I, and maintaining Cold War
facilities up until 1967. This rich historical and cultural
context could be lost forever if development pressures
win out!
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
Today, Davids Island is home to a variety of plants, birds, and animals. These include the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, and rare birds such as osprey and least terns. Davids Island also supports valuable wetlands, rare rocky intertidal areas, and sandy beaches. The waters surrounding the Island are home to Winter Flounder, Atlantic Herring, and Atlantic Silversides.
Brownfield
Remediation Funding
Davids Island has been abandoned for many years. It
has been subjected to vandalism, arson, contamination
and years of neglect. Davids Island is currently a designated
“brownfield site.” State funding to clean
and restore the island is available under this designation.
Westchester County needs to act now to take advantage
of this available funding!
Westchester County Must Take Action Now!
Aerial Image of Davids Island
In 2002, County Executive Andrew Spano and and the Mayor of New Rochelle announced a plan for the county to purchase, restore, and protect Davids Island as public parkland. NOW is the time to move forward with this crucial plan! Westchester County has the opportunity to preserve one of the largest unprotected and undeveloped islands left in Long Island Sound.
Read "Decision coming on saving Davids Island buildings" from The Journal News, 2/19/07 (PDF format)
Read "Remembering life on Davids Island" from The Journal News, 9/16/06 (PDF format)