Environment

Alec Baldwin speaks in Riverhead against proposed South Fork golf resort

Alec_baldwin

Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin made an appearance at Dark Horse Restaurant in Riverhead Wednesday to speak in opposition to a golf course resort proposed in East Quogue. 

Mr. Baldwin encouraged the more than 100 people in attendance to sign a petition to have the New York Pine Barrens Commission review the project, called The Hills. The commission was meeting later Wednesday at Riverhead Town Hall.

Mr. Baldwin received a warm welcome by attendees, as well as organizers who said they were excited to have him there. Andrea Spilka, president of the Southampton Town Civic Coalition, said it helps to have a big-name celebrity supporting the cause.

“We’re so grateful he was here,” she said.

A Massapequa native who now has a home in East Hampton, Mr. Baldwin spoke about how water near the Pine Barrens, like Shinnecock Bay, is already contaminated with harmful algae. The construction of The Hills will only worsen the problem, he said.

“Thank you for caring about Long Island’s environment,” he said.

Mr. Baldwin said the developers are making their third attempt to produce a developers draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) acceptable to town planners. Each previous time the DEIS has been rejected as incomplete.

“We are saying three strikes and you’re out,” Mr. Baldwin said.

Natalie Allegato from the group Concerned Long Islanders attended the rally and she said it’s hard to get people involved in issues like this.

“Having a name like Alec Baldwin is a plus,” she added.

Dee Muma, the owner of Dark Horse, said she was thrilled to have Mr. Baldwin come to her restaurant.

“This is a person with star power that uses it correctly,” she said. “He’s helping our generations and the generations to follow.”

The press conference was sponsored by the Long Island Pine Barrens Society and Group for the East End.

Mr. Baldwin has appeared in numerous movies and television shows and is the winner of two Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards for his role in the NBC sitcom “30 Rock,” which aired from 2006 to 2013.

Photo caption: Alec Baldwin speaks Wednesday at Dark Horse Restaurant. (Credit: Krysten Massa)