To the People of New York:

We, the undersigned, are proud to designate 530 acres of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) as the Upton Ecological and Research Reserve (Reserve) as a protected habitat for the enjoyment of future generations. This acreage is located in the eastern portion of BNL, within the Core Preservation Area of the Pine Barrens.  The Reserve will be managed to preserve its natural state, and conserve and enhance its natural attributes and resources, and restrict future development. In addition, the Reserve will be made available for educational activities, and for nondestructive ecological research.

In the 1970’s, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ceded 2,300 acres of the north tract of BNL to the State of New York and the Town of Brookhaven. The additional acreage being set aside today contains valuable natural resources that have basically remained untouched since the days of Camp Upton. The forests and wetlands of the Reserve provide a home for more than 220 species of plants and 162 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The Reserve will protect and preserve a unique ecosystem that provides suitable habitat for approximately 27 State endangered, threatened or species of special concern that have been identified to date at BNL, including the State endangered eastern tiger salamander, and State threatened banded sunfish swamp darter and stiff goldenrod.  Other wildlife species of interest that inhabit this area include the wild turkey, red fox, eastern box turtle, and the red-tailed hawk. Planned baseline surveys, monitoring and research are expected to identify additional species, with special emphasis on migratory birds and endangered/threatened species, and to determine the diversity and population trends of species residing within the Reserve.

An Interagency Agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will provide for the transfer of management responsibilities for the Reserve to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  As outlined in the Agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct resource management programs for the conservation, enhancement and restoration of wildlife and habitat in the Reserve.  The Department of Energy, as the landowner, will restrict future use of the area and manage environmental compliance, safety, health, fire protection, access and continuing cleanup activities. The agencies are also committed to working together with neighbors to the Reserve, environmental organizations, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive, ecosystem-based Natural Resource Management Plan for the Reserve, and the other valuable natural resources at BNL.  This plan will address the values and policies of Federal, State and local governments and the public.

We strongly support this designation as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship and to permanently protect and maintain this land as a natural area.  The designation and resource management work within the Reserve will ensure that the natural resources of this area are managed and conserved for present and future generations.