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Politics & Government

Pollution, Revenue Loss Concerns Over Exxon-Mobile Conservation Easement

At a public hearing in Greenport on Monday evening, Greenport residents had questions about pollution and lost tax revenue on the proposed conservation easement on the Exxon-Mobile property on Fourth and Clark streets in Greenport.

Greenport residents questioned , Exxon-Mobile, and village officials over the logistics of a proposed conservation easement for a 2-acre property on the corner of Fourth and Clark Streets.

The village held a public hearing on Monday evening on the easement on the site that was once used for above ground storage and bulk offloading for the oil company. Nyce explained to residents, Exxon-Mobile, as the property owner, can do what it wants to with the property and that the village had little influence over the easement.

According to Peconic Land Trust's Stephen Searl, thescope of this project is to revert the Exxon-Mobile property back to its natural state. Residential, industrial or commercial use would be prohibited. Instead, Searl said, the property would be used for ecological restoration and passive outdoor recreation, and ongoing education opportunities.

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would hold the conservation easement because it has experience in easements through its land preservation commission. Searl said once the land is preserved, the title would be donated to the Peconic Land Trust. The land trust would be responsible for the maintenance of site moving forward. Exxon-Mobile is hoping to replicate this program on a national basis for its excess properties, he said

Trustee Christine Kempner said she was concerned over the remidiation of the site and was particularly concerned over the exposed metal at the site. She said she had been in contact with Exxon officials to find out what was actually on the site and she was referred to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Kempner said she has yet to see any documentation.

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According to Exxon-Mobile's Maggie Brown, the site was remediated a decade ago and the DEC sent the company a no further action letter. It is Exxon's opinion, she said, that the site is clean for environmental restoration. She also disputed concerns over a plume of contaminants and said the company did clean up the site. However, she said any future liability related to potential contamination would rest with Exxon-Mobil.

Resident John Saladino questioned whether there was a recreation management plan in place and why the village would consent to the conservation easement and lose the tax revenue.

Oyster farmer Isabelle Oskinski said from her experience with her oyster farm there is pollution on the site. She also was disappointed inthe loss of income to the taxpayer as well. 

"Exxon-Mobile has deeper pockets than the village. The village should think carefully about the future," Osinski said.

Former Board President Gary Charters said his primary concern was the lost tax revenue for the Greenport School District. He said he did not believe this property should be removed from the tax rolls. At the very least, he said, there should be a payment in lieu of taxes to make up the lost revenue.

"Mobil oil is a very solvent company," Charters said.

Trustee Mary Bess Phillips suggested that Brown go back to Exxon-Mobil and tell them the idea of the small village losing tax revenue is not acceptable. Phillips said it was pitting the big corporation vs. the small village.

The village will keep the public hearing open until its next regular meeting of May 29.

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