Politics & Government

Hahn to Chair County Environmental Committee

Freshman legislator Kara Hahn will lead land acquisition efforts, water quality initiatives, and more.

Following in the footsteps of past county legislators to hold the fifth legislative district seat, freshman Legis. Kara Hahn, D-Setauket, has been appointed to chair the county's Environment, Planning and Agriculture Committee in 2012.

It's the same role previously held by now-State Assemb. Steve Englebright, D-Setauket, as well as Nora Bredes and Vivian Viloria-Fisher. Hahn will lead the county's efforts in land acquisition, farmland preservation, water quality improvement, smart growth planning and other environmental stewardship issues.

"We are at a critical moment for our county and face the challenge of preserving open space, curbing runoff, reducing nitrogen leaching into groundwater from antiquated septic systems and planning for a smarter tomorrow," Hahn said in a statement.

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Hahn was appointed to the post by Presiding Officer Bill Lindsay, for whom she worked as communications director for six years prior to her election in November. She is a former president of the Civic Association of the Setauket and Stony Brook, a group which often expresses concerns over environmental issues

In an interview Thursday, Lindsay, D-Holbrook, said Hahn is "incredibly qualified" for the position.

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"I know her strengths and I think the evnironment is one of those strengths," Lindsay said.

Past fifth legislative district legislators who have chaired this committee have helped enact a five-cent bottle deposit law as well as greenway funding.

Other members of the commitee include Sarah Anker, D-Mount Sinai; DuWayne Gregory, D-Amityville; Ed Romaine, R-Center Moriches; and Lou D'Amaro, D-North Babylon.

In an interview Tuesday, Hahn said the fifth legislative district faces some unique circumstances due to its location.

"The fifth legislative district sits on the Long Island Sound, and we have some really important protection charges," Hahn said.

The fifth legislative district includes Stony Brook, the Setaukets, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Old Field, Poquott, Belle Terre, and parts of Terryville, Coram and Centereach.


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